I thought you might find this model of connecting tech start-ups and developers to end users through Innovation Groups interesting and useful for inspiration. Conservation and environmental monitoring technology is a market that developers who do not have a background in research may not have access to sites to accurately field test their products or networks to recieve feedback prior to development.

I could see this working well for conservation programs using tech that aims to become community managed, or developers who aim to sell to large markets, nationally or internationally.

Esperance Zone Innovation (EZI) Group 
EZI is a not for profit grower group formed in March 2021 based in Esperance, Western Australia. With a strong focus on data and technology and leading the way for farmers, by farmers. 

One key EZI program is The SPROUT Project (Supporting Practical Research & On-Farm User Testing): SPROUT is rethinking how Agtech gets built, by starting where it matters, on the farm. This project brings farmers and developers together early in the process to co-design tools that solve real problems, not imagined ones. The result? Smarter innovation, faster adoption, and better outcomes for everyone.

Another program is the The Producer Exposure and Emersion Program (PEEP) provided producers with opportunities to explore and engage with cutting-edge agricultural technology. Funded by the Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission (GEDC), the program enabled EZI to send a delegation of producers to evokeAG in Perth and also to conduct several online meetups facilitating conversation between early stage technology developers and producer members who joined in, the purpose of these conversations was to encourage greater collaboration between startups and producers.

EZI are focused on expanding the tech landscape in Esperance, nurturing local talent and driving economic development and sustainability. EZI embrace innovation, and hope to shape the future of agriculture in Esperance.