Two Victorian circular farming startups harvest $35,000 from LaunchVic

Two startups from LaunchVic’s recent CivVic Labs accelerator program have banked $35,000 each to develop their ideas further.

The program saw WoolGrow Australia and CForge each receive $35,000 to help bring their circular agriculture solutions to market.

The decision follows a pitch featuring all 10 startups, which each one receiving $15,000 in equity-free funding, in the six-week CivVic Labs Circular Agriculture Challenge.

WoolGrow Australia is repurposing low-value coarse crossbred wool into high-performance, biodegradable pellets that nourish soil, conserve water, and support a healthier planet. Founder Sheri Symons up in southwest Victoria and is a 5^th generation farmer and wool classer.

CForge is focused on making climate action and the circular economy financially attractive to horticulture farmers by providing on-farm solutions that turn unsellable produce into valuable products, reducing waste, emissions, and costs while creating new revenue streams.

LaunchVic CEO, Dr Kate Cornick said the number of startups in Victoria’s agtech industry has more than doubled since 2020.

Thanks to programs like CivVic Labs founders can test, refine and launch their businesses – driving startup growth, attracting investment, and positioning Victoria as a hub for innovation,” she said.

Agriculture minister Ros Spence said “We’re helping farmers roll out smarter, more resilient farming systems that make the most of every resource and help them thrive for generations to come.”

The next CivVic Labs challenge is geared towards Victorian startups looking to transform tourism, hospitality and events experiences within Victoria, particularly focusing on regional destinations. Details here.