Simplot Australia has officially launched Simplot Ignite, a digital innovation accelerator program aimed at food tech startups.
Simplot Ignite will be run in partnership with startup accelerator Slingshot and it's now open to applicants looking to turn innovative food tech ideas into a profitable businesses.
As part of the three-month program, selected startups will receive $30,000 investment and have the opportunity to work with Simplot Australia, which owns food brands John West, Bird's Eye, Leggo's, Edgell, Lean Cuisine and Chiko.
Participating startups will also receive a 12 week tailored mentoring program which will include business training and development, marketing, infrastructure support, legal and financial advice.
They will also have the opportunity to pitch their idea to investors, media, other companies in the food tech space and the startup ecosystem during the program’s Demo Day.
Participants will also have the opportunity for second-round investment of up to $100,000 from the Slingshot Venture Fund.
Simplot recently got a taste of the calibre of Australia’s digital innovation scene as a sponsor of HackFood, Australia’s first food tech hackathon, held earlier this month at Fishburners Sydney.
“We want to bring some fresh thinking to Australia’s food system and work with entrepreneurs who are passionate about improving it," said Simplot's managing director, Terry O’Brien.
"HackFood marked the first time innovators came together to tackle the challenges faced by the food industry and with the food market valued in the trillions, we know there is so much more Australian startups can bring to the table if given the right opportunities,” he said.
Slingshot co-founder Craig Lambert says this latest accelerator was an example of how major corporations can leverage the agility of disruptive startups to generate new ideas and grow their business.
“Simplot Ignite is an effective, low-risk platform to stimulate creativity, improve productivity and develop game-changing technology for the wider food industry. By pushing the limits of digital innovation, Simplot and the program’s startups can have a direct impact on a market that is ripe for disruption,” Lambert said.
Applications for Simplot Ignite must focus on one of the key themes including nutri-genomics and personalised nutrition, customer acquisition and retention, food solutions for healthy ageing, agribusiness or convenience in food.
Applications for Simplot Ignite close on 23rd December 2015. For more information or to apply, visit simplotignite.slingshotters.com.
