Founders Tackle Farm Safety in latest CivVic Labs Challenge

From Bairnsdale to Bridgewater, innovators from across the state will apply new technology to farm safety as part of the latest CivVic Labs challenge from LaunchVic.

Ten startups have been selected for a six-week design sprint, each receiving $15,000 in equity-free funding to test their solutions in collaboration with Victorian farmers, peak bodies, and startup experts.

At the end of the program, two teams will secure an additional $35,000 to further develop their innovations for the 154,000 people working in Victorian agriculture each day.

Acumind AI 

Founded by Leneila Lynne and former AFL player Justin Koschitzke, Acumind AI is transforming dense, text-heavy, and verbal-trained protocols into accessible, interactive training experiences that can be used effectively in agriculture.

Biomass Frontiers Australia 

PhD candidates Mohamed Rashid Ahmed Mohamed and Dr. Md Sakinul Islam are creating biodegradable mulch films from cellulose and lignin extracted from agricultural waste, offering an eco-friendly and safer to produce alternative for farmers.

TX-E 

Based in Lavers Hill along the Great Ocean Road, David McKeown is developing a tool that enables remote operators to call emergency services directly using a radio, while also transmitting real-time location information to emergency responders.

EarthBrew 

Founded by Monash University student Ned Murdoch, EarthBrew offers a low-emission fertilizer made from repurposed industrial by-products, such as brewery and quarry waste, providing a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers.

Jamie Ross 

Jamie is building a mobile app designed to help agricultural workers plan, report, and stay reminded of safety protocols. The app includes task-specific checklists tailored to users’ work and experience levels.

Laurence Khoo 

Laurence’s venture focuses on an insurance and risk management system that encourages clients to implement long-term solutions to potentially dangerous farming practices.

Orchard Mate 

Michael Brown’s Orchard Mate leverages satellite monitoring and field observations to streamline orchard scouting, improving both efficiency and worker safety.

Ornata Technologies

Ornata Technologies is developing an agricultural autonomy service. Their automated machinery solutions aim to eliminate the need for farmers to be near powered machinery during operation, reducing the risk of accidents. The team includes Swoop Aero alumni Michael Webb, Sabrina Ravail and Joshua Tepper.

People in Paddocks 

Sam Pritchard’s platform simplifies recruitment, training, and management of agricultural workers, making workforce management more efficient for farm operations.

Semantrix 

Founded by Michael McGrath and Dave Theodoridis, Semantrix employs advanced mmWave radar technology to create comprehensive safety monitoring systems for farm equipment, addressing the critical issue of equipment-related accidents.