SWAN founders Rod Campbell, Tim Hyde and Ivor Gaylard. Photo: Rabobank

WESTERN Australian agtech company SWAN Systems has won the FoodBytes! Pitch 2020 international startup competition.

SWAN Systems is a precision irrigation and fertiliser platform founded by farmers in WA in 2016, and competed against finalists from across five countries at last week’s FoodBytes! Virtual Pitch 2020, before being named the global agtech category winner.

Run by global food and agribusiness bank Rabobank, FoodBytes! is an international program which facilitates mentoring and showcases food and agri startup companies to corporate leaders, investors and the wider market.

SWAN Systems and fellow Australian ag tech startup ProAgni from the Albury district of New South Wales were among the 15 finalists selected from an original field of nearly 340 applications from across 14 countries, based on their innovative solutions to major food system challenges. the company couldn’t be more thrilled.

“This award is great validation of the work we’re doing to create a more sustainable food system that can adapt to the challenges of today’s world,” SWAN Systems co-founder Rod Campbell said.

“Living the problem in the world’s driest inhabited continent has driven the need for innovation in how water is managed.”

The SWAN Systems platform is designed to deliver smarter resource management to growers and irrigators, allowing them to precisely schedule, deliver, monitor and report on water and nutrient consumption to improve economic and environmental outcomes.

Rabobank Australia head of innovation, knowledge and networks Nathalie Gibson said SWAN Systems stood out from a strong global field of applicants, based on the innovative solutions they had developed to contribute to a more sustainable and efficient food supply.

“I’m thrilled that the SWAN Systems team is being recognised on the global stage for its data insights around water, helping deliver smarter resource management to growers and irrigators in Australia,” Ms Gibson said.

SWAN is planning to expand into the United States next year.

Source: Rabobank