Co-founded in 2022 by Darryl Lyons, a Maiawali man from central west Queensland, and Mic Black, Rainstick has developed Variable Electric Field Treatment (VEFT) — a chemical-free seed and crop treatment that applies electricity to mimic the natural effects of lightning. The technology builds on a 10,000-year-old Maiawali practice of observing lightning's influence on plant growth, and Rainstick works respectfully with Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property in developing it.
VEFT is designed to boost germination rates, seedling vigour and yields while reducing reliance on pesticides and fertiliser. Rainstick has trialled the treatment with producers in Queensland, including on canola seed, and has been backed by Bandera Capital, Main Sequence Ventures, Startmate and Better Bite Ventures, alongside Rio Tinto Ventures, which invested via the Founders Factory and Rio Tinto Mining Tech Accelerator.
