seedlab tasmania

MacTavish West Pty. Ltd., as lead partner, are thrilled to announce the successful application to the Australian Federal Government’s Incubator Support Program for $463,100 for two years of activity under the banner of “seedlab tasmania” – a new incubator to help Tasmanian start-up food, drink, agri-food and agri-tourism businesses be export ready.  In conjunction with Woolworths and in partnership with the University of Tasmania, seedlab tasmania is also supported by a number of Tasmanian businesses and individuals (total project value over $850,000).

Download the seedlab brochure here.

The project has the support of:

Local Tasmanian businesses
Retailers: national and local retailers
Peak industry bodies and industry
Government: State and local
University

seedlab tasmania will support and empower entrepreneurial start-ups in the food, drink and agri-food/tourism sectors to be export-ready and to craft compelling business models.

A network of experts, resources and market insights are being cultivated to accelerate these ventures towards exports, and high wage jobs in regional Tasmania.

A four-stage curriculum (Germinate, Cultivate, Propagate and Alumni), will empower up to 216 start-ups with the skills, tools, connections and specific resources appropriate to the stage of their venture.

seedlab tasmania will deliver a pipeline of start-ups that have ‘born global’ visions, the creation of many new and improved exportable products, and more confident businesses ready to accelerate growth.

 Tasmania is developing an active, open and evolving food and agri-food ecosystem. This project taps into this ecosystem and provides resources and opportunities to the ecosystem in return, by developing start-up businesses via capacity and capability development, and leveraging off the world-renowned niche food provider that Tasmania has become.

Dr Hazel MacTavish-West (RHS) and Fiona Makowski of Fresh Field Grove Olives.

Testimonials

“I think what you are hoping to achieve with seedlab tasmania is much needed in Tasmania and will have far reaching results in the agri-food sector. Bringing together many players in the Tasmanian food beverage ecosystem, including The Van Diemen Project and FermenTasmania will be essential to its success and I cannot think of anyone more capable of achieving this than yourself. I have witnessed the success of similar models and projects of the type overseas. Last year I visited an agri-food business incubator in Vermont which has given wings to over 30 small businesses in the past 5 years and has collectively provided employment and training to almost 200 people in a regional area.  I wish such a thing existed when I was starting Bruny Island Cheese Co! I extend and offer of any additional assistance I might be able to offer you”. 

Nick Haddow, Bruny Island Cheese Co.

“Based on my experience, I strongly believe that the Tasmanian food incubator initiative would provide a sound footing, resulting in a greater chance for a business to become viable. I have been exposed to many great product ideas and seen many products launched only to see them not succeed. The main reason for this is a lack of marketing and business acumen held by the business owner. Put simply, they don’t know what they don’t know”.

Martin Turmine, Turmine Consulting.

A new website www.seedlabtasmania.com.au will be live in Jan 2020.

 

In the meantime, please check in with seedlab tasmania on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/seedlabtasmania  and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/seedlabtas/

 

If you are a Tasmanian start-up food, drink, agri-food and agri-tourism business and you want to register your interest in being a part of seedlab tasmania please email Dr Hazel MacTavish-West

 

If you represent a Tasmanian business, government or academia and you would like to be kept abreast of events and opportunities for you to engage with seedlab tasmania, please email Dr Hazel MacTavish-West

 

If you have media enquiries, please email Anna McMahon

This project is supported by the Australian Government Department of Industry, Innovation and Science through Incubator Support initiative funding as part of the Entrepreneurs’ Programme.