Early adoption of innovative technologies will help the wine and tourism sectors prosper in challenging times, on a global scale – which is why Flinders University's New Venture Institute is a co-presenter of FOMENT, a business accelerator program aiming to establish Australia as the home to wine and tourism technology through connecting industry with opportunity.
Now in its third year, FOMENT is designed to enable tech start ups in the wine and tourism sectors to advance their product or service into a market ready phase. This joint partnership between Flinders University New Venture Institute, Hydra Consulting and Wine Industry Suppliers Australia, has expanded the program with the support of major sponsors Wine Australia, Barossa Australia, Australian Government Entrepreneurship Facilitator Service (Barossa Yorke and Mid North) and the backing of the South Australian Government through a SA Wine Industry Development Scheme Grant.
To launch FOMENT 2021, the annual FOMENT Viti, Wine and Tour Tech Variety Hour is being broadcast live from Torbreck Winery in the Barossa Valley from 4pm to 5.30pm on 27 April.
The Variety Hour speakers include James Halliday, Australia's leading wine advocate, and Bernard Salt, a futurist and one of LinkedIn's Top Voices. They will provide candid insights into the worlds of wine and tourism, and this event is open to anyone wanting to learn about the future of tech for the wine and tourism industries.
"I'm looking forward to FOMENT in 2021 proving to be another resounding success in the acceleration of technology adoption in viticulture, wine and tourism," says FOMENT chair, Mr Ron van Buuren of Hydra Consulting.
After the launch, applications will open to start-ups to apply for the FOMENT Accelerator Program. The invitation is extended to businesses from around the world that are ready to help the wine and tourism sectors with industry-specific challenges identified through extensive research and feedback. Only 15 companies will be chosen for the program, based on their potential impact on the wine and tourism industries. More details on how the accelerator program has evolved and how it will be delivered will be revealed during the Variety Hour.
