Wine-focused tech accelerator FOMENT is calling for start-ups to apply for its fourth intake round, with the program starting in February. Applications close on 16 December.
FOMENT is based in South Australia and is one of the world’s only accelerator programs focused on wine, viti, and tourism technology.
The program runs for six weeks and takes applications from start-ups across the entire wine supply chain.
FOMENT is an initiative run by Hydra Consulting, the Wine Industry Suppliers Association (WISA) and Flinders New Venture Institute (NVI), with support from the Federal Department of Industry, Science and Energy Resources, and Wine Australia. Its first pilot program was in 2019.
Wine Industry Suppliers Association (WISA) executive officer Shirley Fraser said the accelerator program was a bridge for WISA to facilitate ideas and innovations to practical solutions for the sector.
FOMENT co-founder and head coach Darren Oemcke said, “We wanted to increase the critical mass of start-ups in wine industry tech so that there was more wine focussed tech emerging globally, to accelerate the uptake of tech by growers, winemakers, marketers and tourism providers, as well as to increase the size of the antipodean wine, viticulture, and tourism community.”
Participants can expect an immersion week in the Barossa Valley, weekly expert coaching, mentor matchmaking from a global pool and regular networking opportunities, FOMENT said.
Past participants have come from California, France, New Zealand, and Australia.
Flinders University MBA director and FOMENT co-lead Carla Dias Wadewitz said, “When it came to developing the FOMENT accelerator, we wanted to create an immersive experience for start-ups, that would provide them with practical experience in the wine, viticulture, and tourism industry.
“The immersive accelerator program promotes innovation across the wine sector and helps start-ups develop meaningful connections with producers, mentors, investors, and other key stakeholders.
“We have seen great success from previous FOMENT alumni and encourage any tech start-ups with applications in the wine sector to join this year’s cohort.”
Applications close 16 December
