Expression of Interest: Development of an Agricultural Technology Scout Model

⁠⁠⁠AgriFutures Australia is seeking services to build a technology scouting (techscout) model that facilitates access to domestic and international Intellectual Property (IP) to solve practical on-ground producer challenges or opportunities. To achieve this, AgriFutures is seeking to work with a suitably qualified individual or organisation to design a new purpose-built in-person techscout model that supports and extends the reach of the growAG. Platform to achieve the stated aim.

AgriFutures’ initiatives, growAG. and evokeAG, have significantly increased the connectedness and exposure of international audiences to Australia’s world leading agricultural research, unique technologies and commercialisation opportunities. Information on both platforms is free to access and allows investors, corporates, start-ups, researchers, industry, government, and universities from Australia and around the world to locate information and opportunities to deliver innovation back to the farm and the food supply-chain.

Having an online presence and ready access to Australian research and commercialisation opportunities is a huge step forward for the sector in promoting a global mindset here in Australia and expanding the breadth of researchers, start-ups and consultants with knowledge, tools, and technologies to help solve producer challenges.

AgriFutures Australia has spotted an opportunity to build, and ultimately deliver, a physical techscout model that connects all the way from the producer through to global technology and IP markets, leveraging and extending the growAG. and evokeAG. platforms. The focus of this model is to interact with producers and then look to domestic and international IP markets to explore and transact the adoption of workable solutions. Currently, there is no service or agency established to do this work at scale.

Project deliverables
The services outlined in this EOI are to build a techscout model that facilitates access to domestic and international IP to solve practical on-ground producer challenges or opportunities. Through this EOI, AgriFutures aims to work with a suitably qualified individual or organisation to plan and design an appropriate delivery model to achieve the stated aim. A separate statement of requirement will be put to market for the delivery of the model.

Initially the work should involve a stocktake of current complementary initiatives and activities, as well as IP import/export pathways that are suitable for use or adaptation by Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry industry and research space. It is important to understand the current operating environment across the innovation ecosystem in order to carve out the specific role that a techscout could play, including how it can add value and complement existing activities and ensure that it provides a useful service to Australian producers, industry, RDCs, governments and others.

It is expected that the successful service provider will consult widely, including with individuals, global technology market leaders, international trade agencies and global technology innovation hubs. There are also a number of Australian-based organisations and individuals that may contribute to the development of this model, including the AusAgriTech Association, Austrade and state-based trade and investment agencies, RDCs and industry.

Part of the work should explore the following areas:

• Working with AgriFutures Australia to co-design a program logic/service delivery model for a technology scout to service the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector.
• Clear networks and pathways for Australian producers, rural businesses and RDCs to engage in a global marketplace, including key contacts in each continental region.
• Engaging directly with farmers to identify problems and challenges not being resolved by existing R&D and/or solutions in the Australian market.
• Identify export IP opportunities by connecting with international audiences to spot problems and challenges that Australian solution providers/ IP has the potential to solve.

Timeline

Expression of Interest Issue - 28 September 2021
End of period for questions or requests for information - 21 October 2021
Closing time for respondent’s response - 12 noon 21 October 2021
Contract execution w/c - 8 November 2021
Date of commencement of project w/c - 8 November 2021