THE state government is calling on start-ups to help solve farm safety and productivity challenges as part of a new program that aims to harness innovation and the technological knowledge of Victoria’s start-up sector.

Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence today announced the CivVic Labs Farm Safety challenge – a bootcamp experience connecting aspiring and early stage start-up founders with government to solve public sector challenges.

This challenge is part of Victoria’s AgTech Regional Innovation Network (AgRIN) and will run over six weeks.

Participating start-ups will learn new skills, grow their connections and develop their business idea with government, supported by $15,000 equity-free funding.

At the end of the experience, they’ll pitch for a chance at a further $35,000 to bring their ideas to life.

Farms make up 14 per cent of workplace fatalities in Victoria, despite employing only two percent of working Victorians.

On average, two people are hospitalised by an incident on a Victorian farm every day.

Since 2018, CivVic Labs has been a launch pad for more than 50 local start-ups, as it provides a unique opportunity for founders to build their idea with a potential customer in the room.

“CivVic Labs is a proven program for generating commercial ready start-ups,” said LaunchVic CEO Dr Kate Cornick.

“If you are an aspiring entrepreneur or an early-stage startup focused on farm safety, this is a unique opportunity to build and test your solution and join more than 3,500 start-up ventures in the state pioneering new technology.”

Alumni startups have raised nearly $20 million in investment capital since the program’s inception.

For more information about the CivVic Labs Farm Safety challenge and how to apply, visit launchvic.org