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. Innovate UK reserves the right to take a portfolio approach to the selection process.

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 Innovation & Growth Specialist 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, support to better present your business and the value proposition.

Pursue

This 4-6 months 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 Innovation & Growth Specialist 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.

New Zealand boasts a rich heritage of agricultural excellence and a profound commitment to Agri-Tech development, harnessing the synergy of agriculture and technology to pioneer innovative solutions. Supported by a thriving start-up ecosystem and government policies conducive to growth, New Zealand prioritises collaboration with international partners, expanding reach and leveraging global expertise.

In April 2025 Innovate UK and AgriZero^NZ signed an agreement to work together as investor partners, combining grant funding, investment and expertise to stimulate research and development into reducing agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. Both the UK and New Zealand continue to associate to Horizon Europe, allowing UK & NZ researchers and businesses to participate in, lead projects, and receive direct EU funding.

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 precision technologies across four key areas: controlled environments, 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 reduce reliance on seasonal labour and improve long-term sector resilience.
This competition 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 with an ambition to scale in New Zealand to join the Innovate UK programme with Sprout.

Key focus areas include but are not limited to:

Controlled environment farming

• Indoor and vertical farming
• Protected horticulture
• Climate-resilient growing and nature-positive innovation

Robotics & Automation

• Harvesting and planting automation
• Seasonal labour substitutions
• Automated irrigation and nutrient delivery

Advanced Sensors & AI Systems

• Crop growth and monitoring sensors
• Yield prediction and soil health
• Livestock monitoring technologies
• On-farm technology (sensors, cameras, satellite based, etc) that relate to recording attributes/phenotypic data for herd or crop improvement
• Tools to simplify compliance and automate data capture on farm / on orchard.

Engineering Biology for agriculture

• Animal and plant genetics to accelerate genetic gain,
• Bio-based crop protection
• Microbial soil health protection
• Enhanced plant resilience and productivity

• 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 New Zealand: 2x two week-long visits to North Island in June and North & South Island in October 2026, providing direct access to one of the world’s leading agritech ecosystems.
• Dedicated Expert Support: Each business is paired with an Innovate UK Business Growth Innovation & Growth Specialist who provides bespoke, one-to-one strategic support throughout the full 9–12 month programme.
• Access to Sprout Ecosystem: Direct connection to leading startup accelerator and investor in the agrifood value chain, including in-market programming, virtual programmes, 1:1 mentor engagements and Sprout 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 New Zealand 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 New Zealand agritech 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.

To learn more about the Programme, including hearing how this has worked for previous participants, register for the Applicant Briefing event on Thursday 2 April 2026 at 7am (UK time).

Key Dates

• Applicant briefing: Thursday 2 April 2026 at 7am (UK time)
• Closing date for applications: Tuesday 14 April 2026
• Shortlist Interviews: Monday 27 April – Wednesday 29 April 2026 between 7-9pm (UK time)
• Successful Applicants notified:Friday 1 May 2026
• Market Visit: Immersion Week:Saturday 6 June – Saturday 20 June 2026 (*** travel dates are subject to change dependent on flight options)
• Incubation Programme (Virtual):May – November 2026
• Market Visit: Showcase Week:Saturday 10 – Saturday 24 October 2026 (*** travel dates are subject to change dependent on flight options)

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.