About the event

Across the UK, the agrifood sector is entering a new era of challenges and opportunities. From climate pressures and supply chain disruption to the need for greater sustainability and productivity, the path forward demands smarter, data-driven solutions. Delivered by Digital Catapult as part of Innovate UK’s BridgeAI programme, the High Growth AI Accelerator brings together nine AI-first startups with leading agrifood organisations, including Nestlé, Hartpury University, Dale Farm and Peacock Technology, to address the most pressing issues facing the sector today.

Over a 14-week period, participants have collaborated with industry challenge owners to apply AI in practical, high-impact ways. From forecasting milk yields and optimising feed efficiency, to detecting crop disease and monitoring biodiversity, these projects demonstrate the immense potential of AI to increase resilience, reduce carbon emissions and enhance productivity across the agrifood supply chain.

On Thursday 4 December 2025, Digital Catapult will host the High Growth AI Accelerator Showcase at its London headquarters, welcoming industry leaders, investors and technology specialists to:

• Learn how AI and machine learning are driving new efficiencies and sustainability across the agrifood sector.
• Explore how deep tech solutions developed through the BridgeAI programme are enabling UK startups to scale and deliver measurable impact.
• Discover how the collaboration between industry and innovators is advancing agrifood productivity, resilience and digital transformation.

This showcase event will feature live demonstrations and presentations from the startups, alongside insights from programme partners and industry experts at the forefront of agrifood innovation.

Who should attend?

This event will be of interest to industry leaders, innovators and traditional businesses with an interest in AI solutions that are solving problems in the agrifood industry and ultimately driving forward the UK economy.

What will you gain?

This showcase is an excellent opportunity to explore how the High Growth AI Accelerator is enabling deep tech innovation to thrive within one of the UK’s most economically significant sectors.

• Get an exclusive introduction to the exciting companies as they share their development story from the programme.
• Meet the consortium partners of the programme & industry challenge owners including Nestlé, Hartpury University, Dale Farm and Peacock Technology.
• Attendees will gain first-hand insight into AI applications that are shaping the future of agrifood, supporting growth, sustainability and resilience in a rapidly changing global landscape.

Agenda

12:00 – Lunch & networking

12:45 – Opening remarks

• Joe Butler, Chief Technology Officer, Digital Catapult

12:50 – High Growth AI Accelerator for BridgeAI

• Kirstie Downham, Innovation Manager, Digital Catapult

13:00 – Rethinking efficiency and sustainability through deep technology in the Agrifood sector

• Chair: Ilaria Catalano, Senior Innovation Manager, Digital Catapult
• Ryan Mcneil, R&D Sustainability Lead (Global Confectionary), Nestlé
• Matt Bell, Professor and Director of Agriculture, Hartpury University and Farm
• Robert Boyce, Sustainability Director, Peacock Technology
• Andrew Murray, Head of Data & Analytics, Dale Farm

13:30 – Coffee break

13:40 – Cohort pitches

• Hartpury University challenge
  • Carbon Rewild
  • Crop Intellect
  • Wilder Sensing
• Peacock Technology Challenge
  • FISCROP

14:10 – Coffee break

14.20 – Cohort pitches

• Nestlé challenges
  • Data Dynamics
  • Farm Smarter
  • Mozaic Earth
• Peacock Technology Challenge
  • Barefoot Lightning
  • Rubik Technologies

14:50 – Closing remarks

• Ilaria Catalano, Senior Innovation Manager, Digital Catapult

14:55 – Networking & demos

16:00 – End