Beef Australia’s AgTech & Innovation pitching competition, Pitch In The Paddock, opened business doors to the world for its 2018 participants. Returning to Beef Australia in May 2021 – entrants are encouraged to prepare for the competition launch.
The beef-centric pitching competition gives ag-entrepreneurs the opportunity to present their business idea, proof of concept, prototype or new product live and on stage to the largest gathering of beef industry stakeholders, influencers, media and consumers in the Southern Hemisphere.
Robert Bell, Founder and Chief Technical Officer of ProAgni has experienced the benefits of entering Pitch in the Paddock, following their win in 2018.
Mr Bell said “Pitch in the paddock was our first pitching competition. The benefits are far more than the five-minute pitch itself – it’s the work and coaching prior to the event provided by experienced advisors. The advice received helped us to deliver our proposition, get clarity on our offering and deliver a tangible message to the audience. Winning the competition opened many doors and provided exposure for our business – a real highlight and value of participating in these competitions.”
Since winning Pitch in the Paddock at Beef Australia in 2018 with their innovative product ProTect, a supplement to improve economic performance and animal welfare in intensive feeding systems, ProAgni have gone on to win the Global Edison Foundation Award for innovation, be a finalist in the Future Food Asia awards (over 200 applicants), be a semi-finalist in the Tesco Agri T-Jam (170 applicants), with other exciting pitches underway.
“The success we had after Pitch in the Paddock was not just from the competition itself – it’s about the connections you make, the exposure you gain, the confidence you build and the opportunities these deliver. While it was daunting to walk into the room in Rocky and deliver a five minute pitch, it also provided a great boost in confidence for our business to have a room full of peers listen to our story.
“Pitch in the paddock is a fantastic competition, participating certainly delivered huge value to ProAgni and I would encourage all budding start-ups to be brave and have a go” said Mr Bell.
Photo: Robert Bell (ProAgni CTO) Fiona Soulsby (ProAgni CFO) Lachlan Campbell (ProAgni CEO) with Beef Australia Chair Bryce Camm at Beef Australia in 2018.
