SVG Ventures-THRIVE and CSIRO Partner to Commercialize AgriFood Innovations
CSIRO US, the North American innovation center for CSIRO, Australia’s pre-eminent national science organization, announced the signing of a three-year partnership with SVG Ventures-THRIVE, the leading AgriFood innovation ecosystem.
The partnership will establish a robust pipeline of Australian FoodTech and AgTech early stage “science to seed” startups. The goal is to bring the most promising startups to Silicon Valley and showcase them to USA investors and corporate partners for funding and commercialization.
“Leading innovation in the sciences to improve the everyday lives of global citizens has driven CSIRO for the past 60 years,” shared Nick Pagett, Global Director of CSIRO. “The three-year partnership with SVG Ventures-Thrive will provide connections to the globally-leading agri-food innovation ecosystem and showcase CSIRO and Australian innovation to world leading agriculture and food companies.”
SVG Ventures, based in Silicon Valley, invests in early and growth-stage AgTech and FoodTech companies, providing corporate innovation services that connect entrepreneurs to established companies and manages Accelerator programs.
The CSIRO and SVG Ventures-THRIVE team at the Australia Challenge earlier this year in Melbourne.
“This partnership exemplifies our focus on global entrepreneurs and continued commitment to solving the critical challenges facing the Agrifood sector. Creating opportunities for Australian AgTech startups to access global venture capital investment is critical to successful commercialization of these innovations,” said John Hartnett, CEO and Founder SVG-THRIVE.
To launch the partnership, CSIRO and SVG Ventures-THRIVE hosted an inaugural THRIVE Challenge in Melbourne, Australia, early in 2020. Two CSIRO startup teams, DiagamiRs and HiveKeepers, won the competition, were awarded seed funding and participation in the THRIVE Accelerator program in Silicon Valley.
“CSIRO US plays a pivotal role solving global challenges by connecting North American organizations and US agencies with CSIRO scientists and early-stage ‘science to seed’ startups,” shares Susan Lucas-Conwell, Executive Vice President of CSIRO US. “This partnership extends the impact and reach of CSIRO Foodtech and Agtech innovations to help feed the world.”
About CSIRO US
Based in Silicon Valley, CSIRO US is the North American innovation center for CSIRO, Australia’s pre-eminent national science organization, accelerating innovation through global science with more than 3,700 patents and 450 spinouts to date. CSIRO US facilitates relationships with Global 1,000 customers, USA government agencies, universities, and research institutions to turn big ideas into disruptive products. Learn more at http://www.csiro.us/ and follow us on LinkedIn.
About SVG Ventures-THRIVE
SVG Ventures-THRIVE is the leading AgriFood innovation ecosystem, comprised of top agriculture, food & technology corporations, universities, and investors. With a community of over 4,000 startups from 100 countries, the THRIVE platform invests, accelerates and creates unparalleled access for entrepreneurs to scale globally to solve the biggest challenges facing the food and agriculture industries. THRIVE’s Corporate Innovation Program is focused on connecting their corporate partners with emerging technologies and startups that will make the most significant impact in their organizations. AgFunder recognizes SVG Ventures-THRIVE as the “Most Valuable AgriFood Platform in the World.” For more information, please visit www.thriveagrifood.com and review the SVG Ventures Press Kit.
Media Contact for CSIRO US
Christine Crandell, New Business Strategies
E: Christine.crandell@newbizs.com
T: 415-309-7017
Media Contact for SVG-THRIVE
Helen Hartnett, Chief Operating Officer
E: Helen.hartnett@svgventures.com
T: 408-375-3056