A legacy of growth and collaboration
Established in 2018 by the then NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) now DPIRD, The Global Ag-Tech Ecosystem (GATE) was more than just an initiative—it was a movement to fast-track ag-tech development and foster innovation in agriculture. Over the years, The GATE became a nexus for researchers, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders, driving transformative change in the ag-tech landscape.
DPIRD was proud to partner with Horticulture Innovation, Cotton RDC and Fisheries RDC.
Our impact at a glance
- 70+ Alumni: A diverse cohort of innovators who have propelled ag-tech solutions from concept to market.
- $400 Million+ in Funding: With Sparklabs Cultivate and collectively raised by our alumni, underscoring the value and potential of ag-tech innovations nurtured at The GATE.
- Global Collaborations: Engaged with over 25 international delegations, fostering cross-border partnerships and knowledge exchange.
- On-Farm Validation: Facilitated real-world testing across 25 research stations and 13,000 hectares of trial farms, ensuring practical applicability of innovations.
Nurturing innovation
At The GATE, we believed that real innovation happens when bright ideas meet the right support. We created a collaborative space where startups, researchers, and industry could come together to make a lasting difference in agriculture. Our programs offered tailored incubation and acceleration support to help refine ideas, develop prototypes, and scale solutions that met the needs of modern farming.
We drew on the expertise of over 600 specialist researchers who place us among the top 1% of agricultural research institutions globally—and opened the door to world-class facilities, data, and research infrastructure. This powerful combination helped our participants turn concepts into practical, scalable technologies.
Throughout our journey, we also ran a series of Grand Challenges—targeted innovation campaigns designed to tackle some of agriculture’s biggest issues, from biosecurity and climate resilience to regional productivity. These initiatives brought together cross-sector teams to co-create solutions with real-world impact, leaving a legacy of collaboration and change.
The legacy of these collaborations lives on in the technologies developed and the partnerships forged.
Alumni
Our alumni have ventured into various domains, from drone technology for precision agriculture to biodegradable herbicides, each contributing uniquely to the ag-tech sector. Their successes are a testament to the collaborative spirit and support system fostered at The GATE.
Continuing the journey
While The GATE’s chapter has closed, our mission continues through a sharpened focus on commercialisation. We’re now channelling our efforts into bringing proven technologies to market, helping innovations scale and succeed in real-world agricultural systems, however our team still actively supports ag-tech businesses with enquires.
The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development remains committed to supporting ag-tech advancements and invites you to explore ongoing opportunities:
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