In a groundbreaking move to address global agricultural challenges, the North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative (N.C. PSI) at NC State University has partnered with Australia’s Cultiv8 Group. This collaboration aims to bridge the gap between the U.S. and Australian agri-food tech sectors, fostering innovation and providing startups with unparalleled access to international markets and resources. The partnership was officially launched at the AgriFutures evokeAG event in Brisbane, Australia, in February 2025.
The Growing Need for AgTech Innovation
The global agricultural landscape faces mounting pressures from climate change, population growth, and the imperative for sustainable practices. These challenges necessitate rapid advancements in agricultural technology (AgTech) to ensure food security and environmental sustainability. However, the AgTech ecosystem remains fragmented, often hindering the scalability and adoption of innovative solutions. International collaborations, like the one between N.C. PSI and Cultiv8 Group, are pivotal in uniting diverse expertise and resources to accelerate the development and deployment of cutting-edge technologies in agriculture.
About the N.C. PSI and Cultiv8 Group
North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative (N.C. PSI):
N.C. PSI is an interdisciplinary research and education hub at NC State University dedicated to advancing plant science innovations. Launched in 2024, its Seed2Grow program offers startups access to an AgTech incubator, mentorship from a commercialization advisory council, and other resources to expedite their growth. With 75 affiliated faculty members across eight colleges, N.C. PSI is committed to accelerating discovery and providing applied solutions for both local and global agricultural challenges.
Cultiv8 Group:
Established in 2017, Cultiv8 Group comprises SparkLabs Cultiv8, an Australian Agri-food tech accelerator, and Cultiv8 Funds Management, a venture capital fund. To date, SparkLabs Cultiv8 has supported over 50 companies, which collectively boast a market capitalization exceeding AUD$1.7 billion and have raised more than half a billion dollars in follow-on capital, creating over 750 jobs. Cultiv8 Funds Management, founded in 2022 with a cornerstone investment by Challenger Limited, focuses on early-stage investments from Seed to Series B, aiming to back commercially ready opportunities that deliver impactful solutions to the agricultural sector.
Key Aspects of the Partnership
The collaboration between the North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative (N.C. PSI) and Cultiv8 Group is poised to significantly impact the AgTech landscape by leveraging each organization’s strengths to support startups and drive innovation.
Seed2Grow Initiative:
Launched in 2024, N.C. PSI’s Seed2Grow program provides startups with access to an AgTech incubator, mentorship from a commercialization advisory council, and other essential resources to accelerate their growth. This initiative aims to translate research discoveries into viable market solutions, thereby advancing agriculture both locally and globally. The incubator offers 2,500 square feet of office and laboratory space, currently housing companies like Hoofprint Biome and Raleigh Biosciences, which are developing technologies to reduce methane emissions in cattle and expedite crop development, respectively.
Cross-Border Collaboration:
The partnership facilitates bilateral access to U.S. and Australian markets, enabling startups to expand internationally with greater ease. Cultiv8 co-founder Malcolm Nutt emphasized that the global Agri-food tech ecosystem remains fragmented, presenting challenges for companies seeking the right partners to enter new markets, accelerate R&D, or test and optimize products. This collaboration aims to bridge those gaps, providing startups with opportunities to engage with experienced entrepreneurs, access investment prospects, and navigate new regulatory environments effectively.
Impact on Entrepreneurs:
By combining N.C. PSI’s research expertise and resources with Cultiv8’s accelerator programs and venture capital support, the partnership offers a comprehensive support system for AgTech entrepreneurs. Startups benefit from mentorship, funding opportunities, and access to cutting-edge research facilities, positioning them to develop and scale innovative solutions that address pressing agricultural challenges. N.C. PSI Executive Director Adrian Percy highlighted that such partnerships are critical for delivering transformational technologies and decision support tools to growers, essential for the economic and environmental sustainability of agriculture.
Similar Global AgTech Collaborations
This partnership is part of a broader trend of international collaborations aimed at advancing agricultural technology.
SparkLabs Cultiv8 and Kansas State University:
In March 2024, SparkLabs Cultiv8 announced a partnership with Kansas State University’s research and development arm, K-State Innovation Partners. This collaboration is designed to foster research and development between the two countries on a range of technologies, including pollination robots. Participants in the program gain bilateral access to U.S. and Australian markets, investors, researchers, and other resources to help scale or bring their products to fruition.
Global AgTech Ecosystem (GATE):
Developed in conjunction with the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, GATE is a collaborative innovation initiative designed to develop and scale AgTech ideas. It provides a platform for startups to engage with researchers, industry experts, and potential investors, facilitating the commercialization of innovative agricultural technologies.
These collaborations exemplify the growing emphasis on cross-border partnerships to address global agricultural challenges, leveraging diverse expertise and resources to drive innovation in the AgTech sector.
Implications for the U.S. AgTech Industry
The partnership between N.C. PSI and Cultiv8 Group holds significant implications for the U.S. AgTech industry, potentially reshaping the landscape in several key ways:
Strengthening Global Leadership:
By facilitating cross-border collaborations, the U.S. solidifies its position as a leader in global AgTech innovation. Access to international markets and diverse research ecosystems enhances the ability of U.S. startups to develop and scale solutions that address worldwide agricultural challenges.
Economic Impact:
The collaboration is poised to stimulate economic growth by attracting investment and creating job opportunities within the AgTech sector. Startups supported through initiatives like Seed2Grow are better positioned to bring innovative products to market, contributing to the overall vitality of the agricultural economy.
Advancements for Stakeholders:
Farmers, food producers, and other agricultural stakeholders stand to benefit from the accelerated development and deployment of cutting-edge technologies. These innovations can lead to increased efficiency, sustainability, and profitability within the agricultural supply chain.
In summary, the N.C. PSI and Cultiv8 Group partnership exemplifies the transformative potential of international collaboration in AgTech. By uniting resources, expertise, and markets, such alliances are poised to drive significant advancements in agriculture, addressing both current challenges and future demands.
