The Fieldays Innovation Awards clearly represent the innovation lifecycle in three award categories: Prototype, Early-Stage, and Growth & Scale. This range of categories allows individuals and companies, big or small, to get the support, recognition, and mentoring they require to take their innovation to the next level. Special recognition is also given to younger innovators, with an award for the Fieldays Young Innovator of the Year.
The total prize package is over $60,000 worth of cash, services, and products with tailored opportunities to progress innovations in each award category.
Managing Director (NZ/Aus) of Rezare Systems and Chief Technology Officer of Map of Ag, Andrew Cooke, is the Head Judge of the Early-Stage Award category for the 2022 Fieldays Innovation Awards. Andrew says a trend he has been observing in the agri innovation pipeline recently is a greater use of digital technology.
"We're seeing a far greater use of digital technology in new ag innovation, which opens the door to some capabilities and potential ideas that might have previously just been dreams."
Andrew notes that while tech solutions are on the rise, farmers continue to benefit from clever, low-tech solutions that help them get value from the time they put in and address real issues on farm.
Last year's Prototype Award winner, Springarm, did exactly this with their flexible ballcock arm for water troughs, winning the respect of farmers across the country.
Springarm have rapidly risen to success. Less than five months after Fieldays, they teamed up with Metalform, a Dannevirke manufacturing company based, to scale production and meet the overwhelming demand of their product, which farmers have deemed to be "life-saving."
Co-founder of Springarm, Marianne Awburn, says that their experience of exhibiting in the Fieldays Innovation Hub was "nothing short of life changing."
"Connecting with our audience and getting a chance for real-life feedback was priceless – we wouldn't have wanted to launch our product any other way. Winning the award was the icing on the cake!"
Marianne's words of wisdom for 2022 Fieldays Innovation Awards entrants are to ensure people can grasp what your innovation is about in five seconds or less.
"Prepare well. Make sure your signage is clear. Your innovation will be brand new, so chances are most people won't know what you're on about, so they'll need clear signage telling them what your product is, in less than five seconds."
Head Judge, Andrew Cooke, also passes on his advice to those entering the awards this year:
"Ensure you understand and can communicate to the judges and your farmer audience at Fieldays."
"Demonstrate why your innovation is unique, how farmers gain extra value from it, and how you hope to turn your invention into a successful commercial product or service."
Entries for the Fieldays 2022 Innovation Awards are open now until May 1. Apply now at fieldays.co.nz/innovation
