Innovate UK seeks innovative Agri-Tech companies to participate in an acceleration programme to support growth by exploring the potential of the Australian market.
Innovate UK will fund and organise group flights, group accommodation and group airport transfer fees for successful applicants, who will also benefit from an intensive 9 to 12 months, three phased programme and bespoke support from an Innovation and Growth Specialist or Scale Up Director throughout.
Note: This opportunity is fully funded support and not monetary funding.
The Global Incubator Programme, organised by Innovate UK, will include two week-long visits to Australia in October 2026 and February 2027. Each business is supported by an Innovate UK Business Growth Specialist or Scale Up Director to help maximise the potential of being part of the programme and beyond. This initiative will be delivered physically and will include virtual activities.
Targeted agricultural sectors:
- Horticulture: tree crops, field vegetables and protected cropping
- Livestock production: dairy and beef, sheep, pigs and poultry production
- Monitoring and management systems
- Arable and broadacre cropping: precision crop management
- Soil health and assessment technologies
About Farmers2Founders (F2F)
F2F serves the Australia and New Zealand region, building and scaling transformative agrifood tech solutions that address real industry challenges and are effectively deployed on farm and across value chains.
Their unique F2F TEKFARM platform connects farmers and value chains to local and global technology solutions that are ‘fit-for-purpose’ and ensures farmers are equipped with the knowledge, tools and confidence they need to accelerate adoption.
A briefing event will be held on Tuesday, 19 May 2026 at 8am UK time: learn more and register here.
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To apply, you must:
- Be a UK-based innovation-led company with ambitions to grow and internationalise
- Be a company with fewer than 250 employees
- Have a focus on Agri-Tech
Innovate UK is committed to improving the diversity of who we support. We welcome applications from under-represented groups.
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In order to be eligible for the Global Incubator Programme, you must be a small or medium sized company based in the UK. We are looking for businesses with the ambition and commitment to scale globally. The programme best suits businesses that already have some traction and sales in the UK that are now looking to innovate their products and services through building global partnerships and collaborations to accelerate their growth and scaling journey. A senior person from the company needs to commit to being involved in all stages of the programme.
The three stages of the programme are as follows:
Prepare
You will be allocated an Innovate UK Business Growth Specialist or Scale Up Director to work with in the UK who will work with you on your strategic action plan for the programme. You will receive an overview of the innovation and sector landscape of the country’s market, a full briefing on the programme and working with the incubator, and support to better present your business and the value proposition.
Pursue
This 4-6 month stage of the programme is about working with the incubator. A typical programme will see a visit to the market at the beginning, providing the opportunity to consider technology and market fit, preliminary customer validation and an introduction to ecosystem players. This will be followed by regular (weekly or fortnightly) virtual sessions with the incubator team, mentors, and experts, to do a deep dive into understanding what it takes to be successful in accessing the market. The final part is a second visit to the market, including a demo day to showcase the achievements of the cohort, continuing to raise the profile and make connections for the businesses involved.
Exploit
You will work with your Innovate UK Business Growth Specialist or Scale Up Director to continue to exploit the programme with the necessary understanding and networks to accelerate your global growth and scaling journey. The team will also be here to support you to build on all the connections, knowledge, and expertise gained. At the end of the programme, an alumni event will be held to celebrate successes and further develop your progress.
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Australia’s diverse and sophisticated agriculture sector is valued at $100 billion. Both federal and state governments work in partnership with industry to create a world-class startup ecosystem supported by industry bodies, accessible research institutions, funders and investors, innovative corporates and tech-ready farmers. Multiple climatic zones and counter-seasonality offer a diverse environment for testing solutions that make this a perfect launchpad for UK businesses to connect, collaborate, and scale in a diverse and rapidly growing market.
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The UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy identifies Agri-Tech as one of the frontier manufacturing industries with the greatest potential for economic growth and global impact. The strategy recognises that the UK’s expanding strengths in precision technologies are well-positioned to meet rising global demand for advanced farming solutions – driving productivity in domestic food production, building climate resilience, and reducing agricultural emissions.
To realise this opportunity, the strategy commits to supporting UK Agri-Tech businesses and innovators to develop and scale technologies across four key areas: precision agriculture, robotics and automation, advanced sensors, and AI and data systems. These technologies are intended to serve both domestic and international markets, while also unlocking mutual benefits from the growing application of engineering biology to agriculture.
A particular priority is the significant expansion of automation in key farming sectors to improve long-term sector productivity and resilience.
This programme has been designed to accelerate that ambition, inviting solutions that pioneer new approaches to agricultural productivity and sustainable food production across domestic and global supply chains.
We are currently inviting applications for up to 8 innovative companies in the Agri-Tech sector to join our programme with Farmers2Founders in Australia. We would welcome applications from Agri-Tech technologies improving productivity, sustainability and resilience.
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Key focus areas include but are not limited to:
- Precision Agriculture and Variable Rate Technologies:
- Imagery, soil maps, and yield data
- Input optimisation
- Decision support tools, including modelling
- Climate resilient growing systems
- Robotics & Automation:
- Harvesting and planting automation
- Labour efficiencies
- Automated irrigation, nutrient and plant protection product delivery
- Automation for livestock operations
- Advanced Sensors & AI Systems:
- Crop growth and monitoring sensors
- Crop yield, quality and harvest readiness prediction
- Soil and environmental monitoring
- Livestock monitoring technologies
- Engineering Biology for agriculture:
- Bio-based crop and animal protection
- Microbial soil health protection
- Enhanced plant and animal resilience and productivity
Targeted agricultural sectors:
- Horticulture: tree crops, field vegetables and protected cropping
- Livestock production: dairy and beef, sheep, pigs and poultry production
- Monitoring and management systems
- Arable and broadacre cropping: precision crop management
- Soil health and assessment technologies
- Precision Agriculture and Variable Rate Technologies:
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Funded Market Access Group Flights; Group accommodation; Group in-market travel; and conference fees are all covered, removing a significant financial barrier to international market entry.
Two In-Market Visits to Australia Two week-long visits in October 2026 and February 2027, providing direct access to one of the world’s leading Agri-Tech ecosystems.
Dedicated Expert Support Each business is paired with an Innovate UK Business Growth Specialist or Scale Up Director who provides bespoke, one-to-one strategic support throughout the full 9–12-month programme.
Access to Farmers2Founders Ecosystem Direct connection to a globally recognised agri-food innovation and investment firm, including in-market programming, virtual programmes, 1:1 mentor engagements and F2F team check-ins.
Market Validation and Customer Discovery Structured opportunities to test technology and market fit, conduct preliminary customer validation, and gain a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed in the Australian market.
Investor and Partner Connectivity Introductions to ecosystem players, mentors and potential investors.
Demo Day Profile A dedicated showcase opportunity to present achievements to key stakeholders, raising the company’s profile within the Australian Agri-Tech community.
Long-Term Alumni Network Ongoing support and an alumni event at the programme’s conclusion to sustain momentum and continue building connections beyond the programme itself.
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Key Dates:
- Applicant briefing: Tuesday 19th May 2026 at 8AM (BST)
- Closing date for applications: Sunday 21st June 2026 at 5pm (BST)
- Shortlist Interviews: Monday 6th July 2026 – Wednesday 8th July 2026
- Successful Applicants notified: Friday 10th July 2026
- Virtual programme kick-off: Monday 3rd August 2026
- Market Visit 1: In-Person kick off (Sydney): Sunday 18th October 2026 – Friday 23rd October 2026 (16th – 24th with travel)
- Market Visit 2: evokeAG week: Sunday 14th – Friday 19th February 2027 (12th – 20th with travel)
- Incubation Programme (Virtual): Monday 3rd August 2026 – Friday 12th March 2027
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Innovate UK will fund and organise group flights, group accommodation and group airport transfer fees for successful applicants. One representative from each company will be funded.
On acceptance of the offer, a commitment fee of £2,000 will be obtained from each delegate. It will be refunded on completion of the full activities and agreed work plan. Non-completion or breach of conduct after formal acceptance may result in forfeiting some or all the commitment fees.
