Top innovators crowned at Farmers2Founders’ International Agrifood-Tech Pitch Challenge

Melbourne, Australia – 18 February 2026

Crop cooling spray and a saliva test to breed worm-resistant sheep were the agri-tech solutions that claimed top honours at the Farmers2Founders’ International Agrifood-Tech Pitch Challenge this week.

Hosted by Farmers2Founders together with Invest Victoria and Agriculture Victoria, the sell-out sideline event of Melbourne’s evokeAG showcase saw ten international and local startups go head to head, pitching their agri-tech solutions to top investors, government and industry leaders.  

Global startup Cooling Crops was declared the winner of the challenge’s Judge’s Choice Award for their sprayable powder to reduce heat stress in soil and crops by as much as six degrees. Meanwhile, Swabtec’s saliva testing system for breeding worm-resistant sheep saw the Victorian-based venture claim the People’s Choice Award at the landmark event showcasing some of the top innovations set to transform global food chains.

“This challenge connects top-tier international agri-food tech startups with some of the industry’s most influential decision makers to drive real investment and outcomes in agriculture across the world,” Farmers2Founders Co-Founder and Executive Director Skye Raward said.

“The calibre of this year’s pitches were second to none, and the event curated a commercial environment that will not only accelerate the real-world deployment of these concepts, but secure their success.”

Applications for the 2026 Land x Launch™ ANZ program also officially opened at the Pitch Challenge, with global innovators encouraged to nominate for the chance to validate and scale their agri-technology through the bi-national market entry and commercialisation platform delivered by Farmers2Founders and Agrifood Futures in partnership with Agnition Ventures. 

Applications were additionally launched for global agri-techs looking to validate and scale their solution for the broadacre grains industry in Australia via the Land x Launch™ AU program, proudly supported by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC). 

Applications for both Land x Launch™ programs close on 29 March, with more information available here.