Prototype Award

The Prototype category is the incubator of fresh ideas and concepts, and provides a platform for individuals or teams to showcase their not yet for sale innovations. The entry fee for the Prototype category is less, to encourage entries from all areas, and make the Awards accessible.

Apply to display your Innovation in the Innovations Hub, or on your existing site at Fieldays.

Entries closed at 1pm Thursday 24 April 2025.

Prize package

• $10,000 cash sponsored by Fieldays 
• Product Design and Development Services to the value of $10,000 sponsored by Blender Design 
• A selection of tailored mentoring sessions, organised by Sprout Agritech, targeted at addressing the specific needs of your venture to fast-track your progress and build a foundation for success. Also, introductions to relevant contacts within Sprout’s vast network of domestic and international industry experts. Total package valued at $5,000. 

* Further prizes may be added 
 

Entry criteria  

• The entry is for an individual product/service. The overall business story will support the entry, but the judging will focus on the entered product/service
• The innovation must have application in the Food & Fibre sector*, or be made from a primary product
• The innovation cannot have been exposed widely before Fieldays 2025 
• The innovation must not be available for sale on the market prior to Fieldays 2025 
• Your innovation must be a working prototype or a display that demonstrates the innovation’s intent and viability 
• The Prototype category is open to NZ-based entrants only  

*Food and Fibre Sector refers to production in the following areas: Dairy, Meat & Wool, Forestry, Horticulture - including Viticulture, Seafood - including Aquaculture and Fishing, Arable, and Agri Tech - including Food Tech and Green Tech, and the activities supporting that production, including machinery, processing, and manufacturing.
 

Selection

Our selection panel will review your application, and let you know within 14 days if you have been successful, placed on a waitlist, or declined. In some instances, we will come back to applicants and request clarification or additional information to assist in our decision, which can extend this time frame. Applications received after 6 April will be reviewed once applications close on 24 April.     
 

First-Round Judging (May 2025)

• The judging team will judge your entry in these areas based on information provided in your entry form: The Innovation, its market opportunity, your team, your business model, sustainability, and Health and Safety
• Five finalists will be announced
• All participants will display their innovation at Fieldays 2025
   

Finalist Judging (June 2025) 

• The judges may choose to schedule an online judging session for Finalists in early June
• Finalists will be judged in person on the Wednesday morning of Fieldays
• Further details will be shared with the Finalists

Entry Fees 

Entry fee and Fieldays Innovation Hub site (if required) - $400 plus GST

Fees are invoiced after you are accepted into the Awards.

These fees include:

• 8 x 1-day Fieldays tickets - these can either be allocated as 1-day or 4-day tickets, and you can purchase additional tickets as required
• A Starter directory listing. There will be an opportunity to upgrade these listings and increase your exposure
• Two complimentary invites to the Innovation Awards event 

The Innovation Hub site includes a 3m wide x 3m deep site footprint in the Hub, with the following provided: