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.

Follow us on Twitter: @IUK_Agrifood

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.

The Microbiome Innovation Network (formerly SIG) aims to accelerate the commercialisation of microbiome-based products and services in the UK and create a vibrant community by connecting industry and academia.

Related Opportunities

Diet and health innovation: Early stage feasibility projects

Opens: 14/03/2024 Closes: 08/05/2024

UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £2.5m for early stage feasibility projects working with Diet and Health Open Innovation Research Club hubs.

More Information

Strengthening the resilience of the UK food system

Opens: 04/01/2024 Closes: 19/03/2024

This funding opportunity aims to improve the resilience of the UK food system to a variety of potentially cascading risks.

More Information

Feasibility studies for Artificial Intelligence solutions: Series 2

Opens: 27/03/2024 Closes: 08/05/2024

UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £5m to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to address business challenges and opportunities.

More Information

Related Events and Recordings

Tue
23
Jan
2024

Farming Innovation Programme: Large R&D Partnerships Round 3 - Consortia Building

10.00 - 12.00 | Online

Watch now
Wed
21
Feb
2024

Net Zero Innovations Unveiled in Norfolk’s Agri-food Industry

09.00 - 17.00 | Norwich

Recording coming soon
See all events

Our Experts

Related News

Transforming Food Production Challenge sparks innovation for net zero food production

26/02/2024

Transforming Food Production Challenge sparks innovation for net zero food production

The Transforming Food Production (TFP) Challenge has supported impactful businesses to produce sustainable food which is showcased in these case study videos.

Read more
New food innovation partnership between UK and Canada launches

15/06/2023

New food innovation partnership between UK and Canada launches

Innovate UK and Protein Industries Canada announce new partnership to better connect the food sectors in both countries to meet sustainability and net zero aims.

Read more
More News

Related programmes

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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