With the new year in full swing, today signals the first day of class for the second cohort of participants for the Charles Sturt University (CSU) Agritech Incubator program.Project lead for the Incubator, Professor John Mawson has welcomed the new batch of innovators, entrepreneurs and small business start-ups to the University and wished them well with their work over the coming eight week period.“It’s fantastic to have such an enthusiastic group of individuals signed up to take part in the Incubator program.“The skills, knowledge and experience that each of them will gain from the facilitators and being able to share ideas with each other is simply invaluable,” Professor Mawson said.Fast facts about the Incubator Hub and the second cohort: -  the Incubator aims to spark innovation and economic development in the Riverina-Murray region, -  there are eight participants in the second cohort, some travelling as far as 125 kilometres to attend, -  the Incubator is funded by the NSW Department of Industry with significant additional funding from the University, and -  the Incubator program will run for eight weeks and finish with a pitch night on Monday 26 March.Professor Mawson said the new participants have put forward many exciting and innovative ideas, and the AgriTech Incubator team are looking forward to helping the cohort develop their business concepts.The second cohort will complete the program on Monday 26 March by pitching their business idea to their co-workers, families, friends, invited guests and business people.“It should be an interesting evening and a great opportunity for those in attendance to marvel at the bright minds and ideas based and developed here locally,” Professor Mawson said.2017 Incubator LaunchNINE TV News Riverina featured the Incubator in a story at its launch in 2017. Participants from that cohort were on-hand to talk about their experience and the benefits of the program.Hear more from the launch by viewing this video:“The Agritech Incubator gave our venture the kick start it needed. The combined expertise of the facilitators, Simone and Di, gave us the knowledge we needed to get our idea off the ground. Also, the contacts we have gained have proved invaluable.”         Feedback from @Wispada, participants in the first cohort The AgriTech Incubator is available to be used as a co-working, meeting and event space and enquiries should be made with the Incubator directly.