Positioning Australia’s regional Agrifood
entrepreneurs for exponential growth
Seeds of Growth™
Seeds of Growth™ is a regionally focused program aimed at nurturing regional agrifood startups and SME businesses across Australia to tap into current and emerging trends to build sustainable businesses. It is designed to meet business owners and entrepreneurs alike where they are at in their growth journey, helping to step back and evaluate their specific proposition, and design a clear action plan for implementation.
The program is also focused on developing a regional innovation ecosystem and network of service providers and collaborators that are vital to supporting and helping to fast-track the entrepreneurs growth pathway.
Seeds of Growth™ has been delivered across Australia by FIAL and Beanstalk over the past 4 years, helping regional business owners and entrepreneurs on their growth journey.
What are the two stages of Seeds of Growth™?
Stage 1: Seeds of Growth™ Accelerator
90-day innovation program teaching and mentoring up to 12 participating entrepreneurial food producers and/or processors to further commercialise new and emerging revenue streams, and build local entrepreneurship capability and brand awareness.
Stage 2: Actioning Innovation Program
Held once per year, three Seeds of Growth™ Accelerator Alumni are chosen based on their commercialisation readiness to participate in a further 90-day program. The program provides them with tailored business strategy support and one-on-one mentorship to make their action plans a reality.
“Seeds of Growth™ specifically partners with established small and micro businesses to assist in the strengthening of the business, finance, approach to innovation, staffing and branding so you can take the next step up in your journey.”
Barry McGookin, Manager of Innovation at Food Innovation Australia Limited (FIAL)
Seeds of Growth™ Past Participant
With a desire to connect with business leaders within Wimmera and start a local food trail, Jenny signed up to Seeds of Growth™ and thought it would be a great opportunity to network with fellow businesses and strategise ideas together.
Testimonials
“How would I describe the course? Excellent. A great way to test your idea. And if your customer research shows your idea solves a real customer problem, then the Seeds of Growth program can help you build a structure to market.”
— Wimmera Development Association, Cohort 1
“My biggest takeaway was the direction I have now with my business and knowing I am not alone in my journey.”
— Wimmera Development Association, Cohort 1
“This was an amazing journey to help build your business and for myself it was building my direction and focusing on what is important and having the tools to help with this. The support from all Beanstalk, FIAL, WDA and also the other entrepreneurs is something that I see will continue with us into the future of our business, knowing that there is support out there that can help you on your business journey.”
