Winners for the Innovation Den announced

The Winners of the Fieldays Innovation Den were announced. Multiple participants emerged victorious in various categories with the winner for the best pitch being Carry-mate, most innovative being Pastoral Robotics, and most innovative business being Check-up.

The top eight Fieldays Innovation Den participants faced up to a panel of business and agricultural leaders to make their final pitches on Thursday.

Twenty “agri-innovators” from around the country were shortlisted for pitching workshops with event sponsor SODA Inc, before being whittled down to eight finalists.

“These finalists will be the ones to watch in the market place,” SODA Inc Chief Executive Officer Claire McGowan said.

The finalists were chosen based on innovative approach, stage of development, market opportunity, business viability, and team capability.

The final eight made their case to a high profile panel, including representatives of Gallagher, Vodafone and Fonterra, at an invite only event at the Coopers Function Centre.

One of those hopefuls was Jon Taylor who was pitching his invention, the JetStop.

The JetStop is an automatic control system for water tanks, designed to help prevent the water pump burnouts he frequently fixed as an electrician.

Taylor’s friend, investor, and supporter Damian Perry has been with him since the first rough prototype three years ago.

Perry enthusiastically manned the JetStop booth in the Innovation Centre as Taylor made his pitch and charmed investors.

Perry said the Innovation Den display was basically their launch, and a fantastic opportunity.

“It’s getting us out there. Jon’s out doing the pitches and I’m here at the grassroots getting feedback from farmers,” he said.

“We’re stoked to get into the top eight in our first real attempt at marketing [the JetStop].”

Even before the pitch was made, Perry said they had been approached by three different investors.