AgriFutures Australia, Media Release, 6 July 2026

When Sam Rogers joined the AgriFutures evoke^AG Groundbreakers Program and Startup Alley at evoke^AG 2026, he was already working on a challenge he knew firsthand. Growing up on a cattle property in North Queensland, Sam had experienced the labour pressures facing livestock producers and was building GrazeMate, a startup using autonomous drone technology to help farmers save time, reduce labour requirements and make more informed decisions.

At its core, GrazeMate was built around a practical challenge. As Sam often shares, the issue facing many producers is not a lack of commitment or effort, but a lack of time. His vision was to create technology that could return valuable hours to farming businesses while improving decision-making and productivity on the ground.

Through the Groundbreakers program, AgriFutures evoke^AG. provided support designed to help emerging leaders strengthen their capability, confidence and visibility. Over several months, Sam participated in mentoring and development sessions, received storytelling support, professional photography and videography, media opportunities, and a $3,000 bursary to support his ongoing professional development.

At evoke^AG. 2026, Sam joined the Groundbreakers cohort on stage to share his story and the opportunity he saw for autonomous drone technology in agriculture. The cohort presentation gave emerging leaders a platform to contribute to industry conversations and showcase ideas with the potential to create real-world impact. Sam also participated in Startup Alley, where GrazeMate was featured among a group of early-stage businesses tackling challenges across the agrifood sector, and presented on the Demo Stage.

The support provided through Groundbreakers and Startup Alley was designed to help amplify work already underway rather than create it. For Sam, it offered an opportunity to refine his story, expand his network and increase visibility among producers, investors, researchers and industry stakeholders who shared an interest in practical innovation and adoption.

Following evoke^AG. 2026, Sam continued to build on that momentum. The professional photography and videography developed through the program have since been used across GrazeMate’s website, promotional materials and broader marketing activity, helping the startup tell its story as it expanded into new markets and opportunities.

Since the event, GrazeMate’s growth has accelerated. Sam relocated to San Francisco to continue scaling the business internationally, participated in Y Combinator, attended CattleCon in Nashville, expanded GrazeMate’s product offering and began growing the team through new hires. He has also continued building connections across the global agriculture and technology sectors while maintaining a strong focus on solving challenges for producers.

Along the way, his work has attracted significant recognition. Sam was featured in Forbes Australia for his success in raising capital to automate one of agriculture’s toughest jobs and was later recognised in Forbes Australia’s 5 under 25 with his fellow Groundbreaker cohort. Most recently, he was named in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, reflecting the growing impact and commercial traction of GrazeMate. Internal reporting also highlights his progression of commercial partnerships, including work with Akubra.

Today, GrazeMate has progressed from a startup inspired by challenges on a North Queensland cattle station to a company operating on the international stage. While the journey is still unfolding, Sam’s story demonstrates the value of combining lived experience, entrepreneurial drive and a commitment to solving real-world challenges that matter to producers.

His experience also reflects the role of programs such as Groundbreakers and Startup Alley. By providing connections, capability-building support and platforms for emerging leaders to share their ideas, these programs help strengthen the people driving innovation across agrifood. The impact ultimately comes from the individuals themselves, their ideas and their determination to turn opportunities into outcomes.

Key outcomes

• Selected as an AgriFutures evoke^AG. 2026 Groundbreaker
• Participated in Startup Alley and presented at evoke^AG. 2026
• Received mentoring, storytelling support, professional photography and videography, media support and a $3,000 bursary through the Groundbreakers Program
• Utilised Groundbreakers photography and videography assets across GrazeMate marketing and website content
• Relocated to San Francisco to continue scaling GrazeMate
• Participated in Y Combinator and continued product development and team growth
• Featured in Forbes Australia and recognised in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list
• Expanded industry profile through opportunities including CattleCon, Humans of Agriculture and commercial partnerships.