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

Agri-tech and food technology, Eastern England – Round 3 CR&D

Opens: 23/09/2024   Closes: 06/11/2024

UK registered businesses can apply for up to £300k for innovation activities in the agri-tech and food technology cluster in Eastern England.

More Information

Agri-tech and food technology, Eastern England - Round 2 MFA

Opens: 23/09/2024   Closes: 06/11/2024

UK registered SMEs can apply for up to £100k each for innovation activities in the agri-tech and food technology cluster in Eastern England.

More Information

Launchpad: agri-tech and food technology, Mid & North Wales – MFA

Opens: 04/11/2024   Closes: 11/12/2024

UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £1.5m for innovation projects in the agri-tech and food technology cluster in Mid and North Wales.

More Information

AI solutions to develop AI competencies in key sectors

Opens: 04/11/2024   Closes: 11/12/2024

UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £2m for AI solutions to support AI upskilling in key sectors; construction, transport, creative, and agrifood.

More Information

ARIA: Synthetic Plants - full proposals

Opens: 16/10/2024   Closes: 12/11/2024

Backed by £62.4m, this programme will aim to catalyse a new generation of major crops that are more productive, resilient, and sustainable.

More Information

European Space Agency: Space For Sustainable Forestry

Applications reviewed when received

ESA seek space-based solutions for forest management, ecosystem improvement, agroforestry, natural disaster response, and carbon storage measurement.

More Information

Related Events and Recordings

Wed
5
Jun
2024

Farming Innovation Programme: Farming Futures R&D Fund Nutrient Management Q&A and Consortium Building event

14.00 - 16.00 | Online

Watch now
Thu
11
Apr
2024

Plant Microbiome webinar

09.30 - 11.15 GMT+1 | Online

Watch now
See all events

Our Experts

Related News

Accelerator drives AgriFood innovators forward

22/08/2024

Accelerator drives AgriFood innovators forward

The Innovate UK AgriFood Accelerator provided training and mentorship to increase the diversity of Innovate UK grant funding applications within the AgriFood sector and support participants in developing their businesses.

Read more
 Supporting large AgriFood businesses: Dunbia’s innovation journey towards low carbon beef

06/08/2024

Supporting large AgriFood businesses: Dunbia’s innovation journey towards low carbon beef

Discover how Dunbia is spearheading innovation with the support of the Innovate UK Business Connect AgriFood team. Hear how Dunbia, a major player in the AgriFood sector, collaborates with cross-sector networks and communities to overcome significant industry challenges.

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Supporting AgriFood SMEs: SPG Innovation’s journey to innovative plant-based protein

06/08/2024

Supporting AgriFood SMEs: SPG Innovation’s journey to innovative plant-based protein

Discover how SPG Innovation has taken advantage of multiple funding and networking mechanisms to develop healthy, sustainable plant protein with Innovate UK Business Connect support.

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Supporting UK farmers: ARRevolution’s robots enabling new and diverse crop farming systems

06/08/2024

Supporting UK farmers: ARRevolution’s robots enabling new and diverse crop farming systems

Follow the journey of ARRevolution as they develop autonomous agro-ecological robots to support diverse cropping systems, made possible through help from the Innovate UK Business Connect AgriFood team and grant funding from Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme, delivered by Innovate UK.

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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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