Power on Plant Protein Hackathon

  • Organisation: Lincoln Hub Ltd
  • Grant Number: A18014
  • Grant Amount: $11,500

Te Hono was the start – an unlikely group who focused on a project at Stanford focused on stepping up innovation in agriculture and taking it exponential, recognising New Zealand agribusiness needs to go faster and land innovation impact faster.

The first step, a Hackathon to connect the agribusiness innovation ecosystem focused on how we might “Feed the World in 2030 using the Power of Plants”. Lincoln Hub, now BLinc Innovation, took the lead as both manager and lead sponsor and secured funding and sponsorship with AGMARDT, FAR, Callaghan Innovation, Plant and Food Research and New World.

The Hack attracted scientists, students, industry, tech, food, farmers and growers, Agri consultants and those passionate about the topic. The event was concluded with a pitch event with industry, science, government and education invited to participate – Minister Megan Woods opened the evening.

Best Overall: Global Growth Award – Proteam – not all proteins are created equal. Make menu planning easy for nutritionists for aged and sick with targeted protein combinations

Sustainability Award – Betterwhey – unlocking value in NZ pastures by converting plants to whey protein alternatives.

Out-of-the-Box Award – Lightfoods – a platform with AR/VR for the world’s largest farmers market.

New connections were established, and it has got industry talking. It has created new opportunities and real energy around Lincoln Hub and agrifood innovation. The ecosystem has been stimulated with

  • Two organisations getting together to look at new designs for their business
    FAR and Plant and Food Research used the approach to work together on a mini hack for their strategic innovation
  •  Plant and Food Research met leaders in the Hemp space and became sponsors of the first Hemp Conference in New Zealand
  • Mentors and coaches met over the weekend are being used by organisations to bring design thinking frameworks to science
  • A few new businesses are in early stage
  • Lots of new connections and relationships formed
  • The environment benefitted with 50 Kowhai trees planted as a result

We are grateful for the assistance the AGMARDT Grant provided. It has allowed Freshco to direct sales and manage our own destinies in each market enabling us to extract more value from the supply chain to the consumer.

John Mangan / Director, Freshco

AGMARDT supports and enables. Projects and people benefit from funding; New Zealand benefits from development of ideas, technologies, approaches and leadership. In particular, the trust facilitates information dissemination: AGMARDT is the catalyst for ripples that spread through the primary sector.

Dr Jacqueline Rowarth /

AGMARDT's support of Texus in the above process tangibly accelerated the development of the above essential activities and testing of market entry strategy, while also exposing Texus management to cutting-edge thought leadership around market shaping and the levers that can be applied to scope and facilitate such shaping.

Nick Davenport / CEO, Texus Fibre Industry Leader Scholarship Winner

The support from AGMARDT has enabled us to gain greater insights into farmer behaviour across all sectors and which will assist accelerated uptake of the livestock exchange and enhance market opportunities for all farmers.

Jason Roebuck / Managing Director, Stock-X Limited