Global Business Innovation Programme: Agri-Tech, Saudi Arabia

To apply for this initiative, you must be:

• a UK-based innovation-led company with ambitions to grow and internationalise
• a company with fewer than 250 employees
  · in a senior position such as CEO, founder, or decision maker in the business
• able to attend all workshops and complete all activities

Businesses that have been on a previous GBIP (in the same market and/or technology area) will need to demonstrate they have exploited the previous opportunity to be considered and how this programme will add significant additional benefit. Preference may be given to businesses that have not participated previously.

Innovate UK is committed to improving the diversity of who we support. We welcome applications from under-represented groups and will consider making reasonable adjustments to accommodate those applicants.

Agriculture is central to KSA’s ‘Vision 2030’ agenda to reshape and diversify its economy, driven by its aim to ensure food security and place itself at the forefront of tackling land degradation and desertification.
Taken together with population growth, this presents a range of opportunities to the UK, including exports, inward investment, collaboration on research and development, as well as sharing best practices and learnings from UK initiatives.

In March 2024, the UK and Saudi Arabia (KSA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to boost research links and collaboration in science and technology. The agreement laid the foundation for deeper cooperation for the UK and KSA addressing global challenges in food security, water and clean energy.

The agricultural sector itself contributes around 4.3% to the non-oil GDP, employing more than 350,000 people in the country. Whilst a water-scarce country (there are no water-flowing rivers) with harsh terrain, there is still substantial agricultural production.

There was a clear drive and investment to develop novel solutions in Controlled-Enviroment Agriculture (CEA), Precision Breeding/Agriculture, Livestock and Aquaculture. For example, enhancing plant traits to mitigate biotic and abiotic stress, management and increasing productivity of crops, and consumer demand for fin-fish, are some of the drivers for innovation.

• Aquaculture
• Controlled Environment and Precision Agriculture
• Livestock
• Across all areas: AgriFood waste valorisation and Circular Economy

• Build market knowledge and intelligence, raise your profile and stimulate new business opportunities and ideas in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)
• Benefit from introductions to senior figures and influential contacts
• Improve your company value proposition to international partners
• Seed new business partnerships, develop RD&I collaborations and identify partners for bi-lateral funding calls
• Improve your proposition, hone your skills and grow in confidence
• Gather insight on what is required to take an innovative solution into the market
• Expand your network and learn from like-minded, ambitious businesses

Applications close on Sunday 27 July 2025.

Get ready workshop: Monday 15 and Tuesday 16 September 2025 (tbc)

Visit the KSA market: 17 – 24 October 2025

Exploit the opportunity workshop: Tuesday 13 January 2026 (tbc)

Innovate UK will fund and organise flights, accommodation, in-market travel, and conference fees for successful applicants.

Innovate UK will also pay for any reasonable adjustments throughout the initiative. Only one representative from each company will be funded and the same person will be expected to participate in all parts of the programme.

On acceptance to the programme a commitment fee of £1000 will be obtained from each delegate, which will be refunded on completion of the full activities and agreed action plan.