Sowing the Seeds of Farming Innovation Fund (SSFIF)

Purpose and Program Overview

The Sowing the Seeds of Farming Innovation Fund (SSFIF) is a $30 million initiative established by the Queensland Government to accelerate agricultural innovation, productivity, and resilience across Queensland’s primary industries. Administered by the Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC), the fund provides venture capital investment to early to growth-stage companies developing technologies and solutions with a measurable impact on the agricultural sector.

The program is aligned with Primary Industries Prosper 2050, Queensland’s 25-year strategic blueprint for primary industries, and directly supports the government’s target of boosting primary production output to $30 billion by 2030. SSFIF addresses both commercialisation barriers and adoption gaps by investing in businesses that strengthen Queensland’s agricultural innovation ecosystem.

The fund targets a broad range of agricultural innovation segments, including AgTech, digital agriculture, sustainability solutions, on-farm productivity tools, and supply chain innovation. It prioritises ventures that deliver measurable public benefit outcomes, such as productivity uplift, climate resilience, and improved environmental performance.

Key Grant Details

• Total Funding Pool: $30,000,000 (Thirty Million Australian Dollars)
• Funding Type: Venture Investment (not a grant in the traditional sense; investment rounds will follow the expression of interest phase)
• Application Open Date: Open — Early Interest Registration is currently being accepted
• Formal Close Date: Not specified; applicants are encouraged to register interest ahead of formal investment rounds
• Eligible Industries: Agriculture, AgTech, food production, sustainability, on-farm technology, and supply chain innovation
• Location Applicability: Queensland-focused; initiatives must demonstrate impact within Queensland’s primary industries
• Administrator: Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC)
• Co-contribution Required: Not specified in current program guidelines

Priority Sectors

The following sectors are explicitly identified as priority areas for SSFIF investment:

• AgTech and Digital Agriculture — companies building technology to improve farming efficiency, data utilisation, and automation
• Sustainability and Climate Solutions — innovations targeting resilience, emissions reduction, and positive environmental outcomes
• On-Farm Productivity — solutions that directly improve yield, reduce costs, or enhance operational performance
• Agricultural Supply Chain Innovation — technologies and services that improve efficiency and transparency across supply chains
• Scaling Startups and Growth Companies — early to growth-stage businesses seeking capital to expand and commercialise agricultural solutions

Funding Scope

SSFIF operates as a venture investment fund rather than a traditional grant program. As such, individual investment amounts are not publicly prescribed and are subject to negotiation through the formal investment process administered by QIC.

• Total Fund Pool: $30 million
• Funding Mechanism: Venture investment (equity or similar instruments)
• Eligible Stages: Early-stage to growth-stage companies
• Investment Focus Areas: Tech development and commercialisation; adoption and industry integration; sustainability and resilience outcomes
• Project Timeline: Not specified — determined through the investment assessment process

The fund invests across the agricultural innovation capital pathway, supporting companies whose technologies, products, or services materially enable productivity and value creation within Queensland’s primary industries.

Eligibility Criteria

While full eligibility criteria will be confirmed at the time of formal investment rounds, the following requirements are indicated in the program guidelines:

The applicant must be an early to growth-stage company (startups through to scaling businesses)

The business must develop innovative solutions in agriculture, AgTech, food production, sustainability, or related supply chain sectors

The company’s operations or solution must demonstrate a clear nexus with Queensland’s primary industries

The solution must deliver measurable public benefit outcomes, including productivity uplift, climate resilience, or environmental performance improvements

The business must be positioned to strengthen Queensland’s agricultural innovation ecosystem and commercialisation pathways

The applicant must be able to demonstrate investment readiness, including traction, funding stage, and solution validation 

Note: Specific eligibility requirements, including business structure, ABN/GST registration, minimum turnover thresholds, and insurance obligations, will be confirmed in the formal investment round documentation published by QIC.

Eligible Activities and Expenses

As a venture investment program, SSFIF supports a range of activities aligned with agricultural innovation and commercialisation, including:

• Development, testing, and market launch of innovative agricultural technologies and solutions
• Scaling and commercialisation of existing agricultural innovations with demonstrated traction
• Adoption and integration of new solutions across farms, supply chains, and industry networks
• Initiatives that improve environmental performance, climate resilience, and long-term farm viability
• Addressing adoption and capability barriers through investment readiness support and targeted industry engagement

Eligible expenses and investment use will be determined through the formal investment agreement process with QIC. Applicants should prepare documentation outlining how proposed activities align with the fund’s stated objectives.

Assessment Process

SSFIF operates as a competitive venture investment program. QIC reviews expressions of interest, and formal investment rounds will follow the initial interest registration phase. Assessment is expected to be merit-based and aligned with the program’s strategic objectives.

Key evaluation criteria are expected to include:

• Strategic alignment with Queensland’s agricultural innovation priorities and Primary Industries Prosper 2050
• Demonstrated innovation and potential for step-change productivity outcomes
• Measurable public benefit, including environmental and climate resilience outcomes
• Commercialisation readiness and business traction
• Capacity to strengthen Queensland’s ag-innovation ecosystem
• Value for money and quality of the proposed investment use

Applicants are advised to prepare a strong investment case that clearly articulates their solution’s impact, market potential, and alignment with Queensland’s primary industries.

Recent Program Updates

The SSFIF was recently announced as part of the Queensland Government’s commitment to accelerating agricultural innovation in the state.

The fund is now open for early interest registration, ahead of formal investment rounds.

The program is aligned with the Primary Industries Prosper 2050 strategy and the Queensland Government’s target to grow primary production output to $30 billion by 2030.

Early-stage to growth companies are specifically encouraged to register their interest now to position themselves ahead of formal investment rounds.

Application Tips

Applicants seeking to maximise their chances of securing investment through SSFIF should consider the following practical steps:

• Register an expression of interest early through QIC’s official process to position ahead of formal investment rounds.
• Clearly articulate the company’s solution, technology, and the measurable outcomes it delivers for Queensland’s primary industries.
• Prepare documentation covering company profile, solution overview, existing traction, current funding stage, and growth plans.
• Demonstrate alignment with Queensland Government agricultural priorities, particularly the Primary Industries Prosper 2050 blueprint.
• Develop a clear impact case showing how the solution improves agricultural productivity, sustainability, or climate resilience.
• Ensure investment readiness documentation is current and accurately reflects the company’s commercialisation stage.
• Seek expert advice on how to structure the application and pitch to align with QIC’s investment criteria.
• Review all official guidelines and eligibility requirements published on the QIC website prior to submission.

Where to Get Help

Navigating a venture investment application requires careful preparation and a thorough understanding of the fund’s objectives and assessment criteria. Consider consulting a grant specialist like Pattens Group for a personalised eligibility assessment and expert assistance in preparing a strong, compliant, and competitive application. Contact us today and get connected with Australia’s best grant specialist, boasting over 35 years of experience in the industry and a 100% success rate. For official guidelines, application details, templates, and further information, visit the official website of the Sowing the Seeds of Farming Innovation Fund (SSFIF) at www.qic.com/Sowing-the-Seeds and other associated Queensland and Australian Government websites.