In a rapidly evolving global landscape, startups are playing a pivotal role in transforming agriculture through innovation and collaboration. The recent Grow Asia Innovators Gathering 2025 brought together some of the brightest minds and solutions from across the globe to explore partnerships, share progress, and collaborate on shaping the future of agriculture. This gathering is built upon the momentum from the Grow Asia Innovation Challenge 2024, fostering a vibrant ecosystem where innovation, collaboration, and impact converge.
Driving Collaboration Across Borders
Startups worldwide are increasingly partnering with governments, research institutions, and agribusinesses to enhance food security and advance sustainable farming practices. Programs like the FAO’s "Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Food Systems" and the USDA’s initiatives focused on agritech innovation highlight the global push for cross-sector collaboration. Southeast Asia is no exception, with countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam actively promoting agri-food innovation through smart farming initiatives and startup partnerships.
Corporations have also recognized the value of investing in startups to maintain competitiveness and foster innovation. Leading companies such as Bayer and Cargill have established corporate venture arms to support startups that drive sustainability and efficiency within the agricultural value chain. These partnerships offer startups vital access to funding, mentorship, and networks, accelerating their ability to scale and impact global markets.
At Grow Asia, fostering these connections remains central to our mission. Our regional network serves as a dynamic platform where innovators, policymakers, and industry leaders come together to share knowledge, build partnerships, and collaborate for transformative change in agriculture.
Highlights from the Innovators Gathering 2025
CarbonFarm continues to empower rice farmers by facilitating their access to carbon markets, enabling them to adopt sustainable agricultural practices while generating additional income. By bridging the gap between smallholder farmers and carbon financing opportunities, CarbonFarm is driving both environmental impact and economic empowerment.
Thanks Carbon, following its participation in the Innovation Challenge, has initiated pilot projects in Cambodia. These efforts are focused on collaborating with the Cambodia Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture (CPSA) to promote sustainable farming solutions. By leveraging innovative approaches, Thanks Carbon aims to create scalable models that enhance climate-smart agriculture in the region.
Phyfarm has demonstrated a strong commitment to regenerative agriculture, recognizing its potential to enhance soil health, improve food security, and mitigate climate change. The company is actively identifying new opportunities for growth and collaboration, working alongside partners to scale its impact.
Ignitia, a weather and climate intelligence company, is preparing for its expansion into Southeast Asia. As part of this regional cohort, Ignitia is set to provide accurate, localized weather forecasts to farmers, helping them adapt to climate variability and improve decision-making in their agricultural practices.
WRMS has made significant strides in strengthening its technical infrastructure and research capabilities. These efforts reflect its ongoing commitment to developing innovative solutions that address climate and financial risks. By integrating technology and data-driven insights, WRMS continues to support farmers and agribusinesses in building climate resilience. Additionally, several impactful initiatives and events were highlighted as avenues for continued collaboration:
Human-Centered Design Training: A grow Asia- led initiative scheduled for early 2025 in Vietnam, this program aims to integrate design thinking principles into the practices of startups and corporate partners.
Digital Learning Series: Focused on enhancing digital adoption among smallholder farmers, this series will feature interconnected webinars to optimize learning experiences.
Innovation Challenge 2025: Targeting significant value chains in the Philippines, including coconut, cacao, and coffee, to further empower smallholder farmers.
This gathering is the first of many, reaffirming Grow Asia’s commitment to cultivating a thriving ecosystem of innovation through partnerships, knowledge exchange, and collective action—paving the way for a more sustainable and resilient agricultural future.