Regional Development Australia Central Coast (RDACC) was very proud to jointly host the Mars’ SEEDS of CHANGE Accelerator Roadshow at the University of Newcastle’s Ourimbah Campus yesterday evening.

Partnering with Central Coast Industry Connect (CCIC), the event attracted a full house of local food manufacturers, start-ups and innovators all seeking to be a part of the coveted SEEDS of CHANGE program.

RDACC CEO & Director Regional Development, John Mouland, said the program perfectly aligns with the aim of transforming the Central Coast into an innovative and distinctive food destination.

“The SEEDS of CHANGE Accelerator is a fantastic initiative designed to help early stage food-focused businesses build a healthier and more sustainable future by fast-tracking their growth,” said Mr Mouland.

“The program offers grants, tailored growth strategies, opportunities to learn from industry leaders and access to state-of-the-art facilities to help food-based start-ups bring their ideas to life.

“We have such a breadth of talent and innovation among our local food industry and we are so pleased that Mars, in partnership with Food Innovation Australia Limited (FIAL), is offering this program to food innovators to help fulfil our goal of making the Central Coast a distinctive food innovation region.”

All early-stage local food innovators are being encouraged to apply for the SEEDS of CHANGE initiative, with six successful start-ups from across Australia being selected to participate.

The program runs from August to December, in which businesses will receive support to identify their needs and build a bespoke program for growth, included hands-on mentoring and funded support.

SEEDS of CHANGE is looking for next-generation businesses that are making a mark on the future of the food in one or more of the following ways:

• Sharing world flavours
• Easy meal solutions
• Responsible food
• Food manufacturing and value chain transformation
• Creating with care
• Better for you
• Plant based eating
• Accessing Asia

Applications are open now until Friday 19 July. Apply online at socaccelator.com/australia and describe how you’re shaping the meals of tomorrow. For more information: info.au@soaccelarator