Western Australia’s first AgTech-focused landing pad, PropaGATE, is bringing global innovation to the state’s doorstep, connecting international solutions with local industries to address real-world challenges, starting with wastewater in beer production.
As Western Australia experiences the impacts of a changing climate, and food security become more important than ever, the state has been pushing to better support its agrifood and beverage industry – through increased funding to the Agrifood and Beverage Voucher Program, collaborations with CSIRO to employ student interns and upskill SMEs, and investing in research for the food sector.
Launched earlier this year, the PropaGATE landing pad program is led by Beanstalk AgTech and supported by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub, through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund, and the Food Innovation Precinct Western Australia (FIPWA).
PropaGATE demonstrates how Australia can benefit from landing pad models, structured programs designed to integrate innovative solutions into a targeted market, that foster cross-sector collaboration.
In just six months, it has established a platform for international AgTech innovators to engage with local businesses and pilot new solutions on the ground.
PropaGATE’s inaugural challenge addressed a critical issue in the brewing sector: wastewater management. After extensive engagement with Western Australian breweries, it became clear that brewing just one litre of beer can require up to eight litres of water, contributing to a significant water-use footprint.
In response, PropaGATE issued a global innovation challenge, calling for solutions that treat and reuse wastewater more sustainably.
More than 40 applications were received from over 15 countries. Four leading solutions were selected, and the innovators will travel to Perth to participate in a showcase event at FIPWA on 6 August, where they will connect directly with breweries for potential trials and partnerships.
Beanstalk AgTech principal, Jolien Paalman, said PropaGATE reflects what’s possible when global innovation is aligned with local industry needs.
“By identifying shared challenges and building a landing pad to source solutions and trial them in the local environment, we're accelerating real impact for agriculture and food systems in Western Australia,” said Paalman.
PropaGATE is an ongoing program designed to position Western Australia as a hub for AgTech innovation.
FIPWA general manager, Dr Chris Vas, said this collaboration was deliberately focused on scale-ready technology solutions that can address real challenges facing Western Australia's industries.
“By facilitating local, on-the-ground trials, we're not only solving pressing problems but also accelerating tech-driven business growth – firmly aligning with the Government’s ‘Made in WA’ policy plank,” said Vas.
The four selected solutions for wastewater management in beer production are:
- Algaesys (Western Australia) – Uses algae to treat wastewater and recover resources like bio-methane and soil conditioners.
- Aqualys Water Technologies (India) – Provides advanced water purification using ozonolysis and visible light-based photocatalysis.
- Hydroleap (Singapore/Victoria) – Offers electrochemical water treatment that reduces chemical use and improves sustainability.
- Moleaer (USA) – Uses nanobubble technology to enhance wastewater treatment efficiency and reduce chemical and energy use.
A second challenge is currently being scoped and is set to launch later this year, targeting the next major opportunity for innovation in agriculture. For more information about PropaGATE, visit beanstalkagtech.com.
