Twelve promising new technology ventures tackling challenges among mining, agriculture and critical minerals will be supported to turn breakthrough research into real-world impact, after being selected to the inaugural DeepStart program.
Backed by the Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer, DeepStart builds on the success of the National Energy Transition Accelerator, supporting founders from across Australia with access to up to $500,000, investor engagement opportunities and industry connections to accelerate turning research into high-growth businesses.
Among the selected ventures are innovations to improve agricultural productivity, strengthen mine safety and support the sustainable supply of critical minerals.
Rhizobacterial Enhanced Seeds is developing a seed coating to help plants thrive in challenging soil conditions, with potential benefits in both agriculture and mine site rehabilitation.
Founder and Curtin University researcher, Dr Mohammad Farzam, said industry engagement had given the team confidence they were solving a genuine problem.
“We’ve worked closely with industry to validate a significant challenge in the seed coating sector,” Dr Farzam said.
“DeepStart will help us better understand the market and accelerate the pathway from research to real-world adoption.”
The Wireless Instrumented Rockbolt project has developed a new sensor-based technology allowing for underground ground conditions to be monitored in real time, potentially identifying mine collapses before they occur.
The cohort also includes SmartREE Technologies, which is advancing a low-impact rare earth extraction process that selectively recovers valuable elements from Australian mineral deposits while using more sustainable methods.
Curtin University Executive Director of Commercialisation and Entrepreneurship Rohan McDougall said DeepStart would help bridge the gap between research excellence and commercial impact.
“Australia produces world-class research and innovation, but too many promising technologies struggle to make the transition from the laboratory to the marketplace,” Mr McDougall said.
“DeepStart gives emerging founders access to the networks, expertise and investment opportunities they need to test their ideas, attract partners and build ventures capable of delivering tangible economic and social benefit.
“The inaugural cohort reflects the breadth of innovation emerging from Australia’s research sector, from improving mine safety and agricultural resilience to supporting the sustainable supply of critical minerals needed for the energy transition.”
DEEPSTART 2026 COHORT
- EdgeIQ – An AI-powered handheld underground scanner providing real-time overbreak predictions to improve mining safety and operational efficiency.
- NanoWrap – A sustainable packaging material designed to replace conventional plastic top-seal packaging films and reduce reliance on single-use plastics.
- PyroCycle Technologies – A pyrolysis system converting mining waste tyres into graphene and other high-value carbon products.
- Rarity – Building ahead-of-need processing and supply capabilities for the high-specification materials that advanced manufacturing depends on, from semiconductors and photonics to space and critical energy.
- Rhizobacterial Enhanced Seeds – A rhizobacteria-based seed coating technology that reduces costs and improves plant establishment in challenging soil conditions for agriculture and mine site rehabilitation.
- Senstrali – A physics-based condition monitoring system that detects wear and failure risks in mining conveyor rollers before breakdowns occur.
- SmartREE Technologies – A low-impact rare earth extraction process using more sustainable organic leaching methods.
- Uncharted AI – An autonomous drone and ground robotics platform that accelerates mineral exploration through AI-driven geological analysis.
- Verdant-Ion – An engineered process to produce battery grade synthetic graphite using unconventional feedstocks like food oils, plastics and waste tyres, at lower temperatures.
- Vivarta – A process intensification platform that improves crystallisation and leach circuits in critical minerals processing.
- Wireless Instrumented Rockbolt – A sensor-enabled rockbolt providing real-time monitoring of underground mine conditions.
- Xcalibur Smart Mapping Australia – An airborne rare earth detection technology that enables faster and more cost-effective mineral exploration.
