The Agri-tech Commercialization Ecosystems (ACE) project, a collaborative initiative from the universities of Lincoln, Cambridge, and East Anglia, has received a significant boost with a £5 million award from the UKRI-Research England CCF-RED Fund. This funding will catalyze the creation of a national agri-tech ‘Technology Transfer Office’ and a new company, Ceres Agri-Tech Ltd, based at Cambridge Enterprise, the innovation arm of the University of Cambridge. The project aims to bridge the gap between early-stage agricultural innovations and their commercialization, addressing key regional challenges such as low wages, workforce skills gaps, and climate resilience.
The ACE project is poised to make a substantial impact on the agri-tech sector and the broader economy. Over the next decade, it aims to fund 95 research projects, create over 1,300 new jobs, and inject a projected £506 million into the UK economy. This initiative comes at a critical time when geopolitical instability, climate change, and resource scarcity are threatening global food security. By fostering an innovation cluster, the ACE project seeks to deliver positive economic, societal, and environmental impacts for years to come.
Professor Simon Pearson, Founding Director of the Lincoln Institute for Agri-Food Technology (LIAT) at the University of Lincoln, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, highlighting its potential to drive growth within the agri-tech sector and create numerous ‘spin-out’ businesses. Karl Dayson, Pro Vice Chancellor for Research, Knowledge Exchange, and Global Engagement at the University of Lincoln, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the role of the university in driving economic development through innovation.
The ACE project will leverage the agricultural and research strengths of Greater Lincolnshire, East Anglia, and Cambridgeshire, transforming the region into a globally competitive innovation cluster. The dense concentration of crop production, agri-tech infrastructure, and civic support in the area provides a unique platform for high-impact investment and sustainable food system development.
Dr. Louise Sutherland, Director of Ceres Agri-Tech at Cambridge Enterprise, University of Cambridge, underscored the pivotal role that the Ceres Agri-Tech collaborative partnership has played in agri-tech innovation since its foundation in 2018. The Research England funding will enable the creation of a national agri-tech ‘Technology Transfer Office’ that will support the translation of early-stage agricultural innovations and strengthen the UK’s position as a global leader in agri-tech innovation.
Professor Julian Blow, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation at the University of East Anglia (UEA), also expressed delight at being part of this successful bid, highlighting the benefits that Ceres Agri-Tech has already brought to UEA. The project will continue to work collaboratively and sustainably to solve the challenges of our changing world.
The ACE project is part of Research England’s broader work to support research commercialization across the country. Research England is investing £30 million into four regional projects through its University Commercialization Ecosystem initiative, aiming to drive innovation by supporting collaboration and commercialization. Professor Dame Jessica Corner, Executive Chair of Research England, expressed her excitement about supporting the Government’s mission for economic growth by directing funds to these projects, which will foster collaboration and focus on opportunities that will directly benefit local communities.
The implications of the ACE project are far-reaching. By supporting the commercialization of early-stage agricultural innovations, the project has the potential to revolutionize the agri-tech sector, create high-quality jobs, and drive economic growth. Moreover, by addressing key regional challenges and focusing on environmentally focused agri-tech innovation, the ACE project can contribute significantly to building a more sustainable and resilient food system for the future.
