AgriFood

Innovate UK Business Connect helps organisations interested in AgriFood innovation access the expert information, funding and connections needed to drive change. Our experts work with businesses of all sizes; locally, nationally and globally.

Maximise your chances for success when applying for funding

Innovate UK Business Connect is often first to find out about funding opportunities for AgriFood innovation from government and organisations, including Innovate UK. We inform the AgriFood community about this funding and how to apply for it. We can also partner with organisations to deliver funding on their behalf.

We produce events that not only provide in-depth information about funding opportunities but also allow innovators to meet collaborators and connect with the right people and opportunities.

If you decide to apply for funding, one of our team will help guide you towards the most appropriate funding call for your project and give you guidance on how to write a successful application. This funding could range from grant to investment funding.

Make connections to fast track your project

You’ll be matched with the person in our team who is the most knowledgeable about your project. We have experts in livestockaquaculturefoodcrops and we collaborate with key international AgriFood markets like Africa and Colombia.

If we identify that you’ll benefit from connecting with another organisation to help you achieve your goals, we’ll identify partners best suited to your needs.

If you need technology or expertise that you don’t have in-house, we’ll put you in touch with someone who can help.

Read about how we’ve helped: 
– Start-up Earthly Biochar build powerful connections and access funding to accelerate their innovation.
– AgriTech company Breedr win two grants, raise private investment and collaborate with a major player in their sector.
– 15 organisations come together to form the the Insectrial Revolution project, and win £5.9m in funding.

Our current focus in this area

Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing AgriFood areas globally, and is key to ensure food security for a growing world population.

Plants and crops underpin the health, wellbeing and food security of our growing population. We depend on them through direct consumption or indirectly via livestock consumption.

The Food and Drink Manufacturing sector is the largest manufacturing sector in the UK. In terms of economic contribution, it accounts for 17% of all UK manufacturing GVA (£28.2 billion).

Livestock plays a key role in UK agriculture, helping to provide high quality food such as meat, milk and eggs, and contributing £14.7bn in output to the UK economy in 2020.

Microbiome science and innovation play a vital role to various sectors of the UK economy, including human health, wellbeing and agri-food. From personalised gut health solutions to nutrition, from animal health to food security and biodiversity.

Related Opportunities

ARIA: Programmable Plants - opportunity seeds

Opens: 22/01/2025   Closes: 09/04/2025

ARIA are looking to fund bold ideas within the Programmable Plants opportunity space with up to £500k each.

More Information

European Space Agency: Space For Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture

Opens: 17/03/2025   Closes: 25/04/2025

Funding for European teams interested in developing services integrating technology solutions to the smart cities and urban agricultural sector.

More Information

Innovate UK innovation loans future economy: Round 20

Opens: 06/03/2025   Closes: 07/05/2025

UK registered businesses can apply for loans for innovative projects with strong commercial potential to significantly improve the UK economy.

More Information

Related Events and Recordings

Wed
26
Feb
2025

Webinar Series: AgriFood innovations for a nature positive food system

09.00 - 12.00 GMT | Online

Recording coming soon
Wed
4
Dec
2024

Global Insights: USA Alternative Proteins

15.00 - 17.00 | Online

Watch now
See all events

Our Experts

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Related programmes

Climate-Smart Agriculture Partnership

Climate-Smart Agriculture Partnership

Innovate UK Climate-Smart Agriculture Partnership: UK-Brazil-Africa brings together innovative people and organisations to promote climate-smart agriculture in Africa.

AgriFood Investment Readiness Programme

AgriFood Investment Readiness Programme

For UK SMEs working on AgriFood innovations and looking for private investment.

AgriFood Africa Connect

AgriFood Africa Connect

Innovate UK AgriFood Africa Connect brought innovative people and organisations across the UK and Africa together to develop solutions for the sustainable management of AgriFood systems in Africa.

AgriFood Africa Connect Map

AgriFood Africa Connect Map

The AgriFood Africa Connect Map makes it easier for UK and African organisations to collaborate on projects, provides information on the AgriFood sector across Africa, and helps connect innovators to enable collaboration and address key global challenges.

For general enquiries regarding our AgriFood sector contact us now

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