A new £5 million round of the Farming Innovation Investor Partnerships competition is set to open on 2 June, offering a unique blend of grant funding and private investment to help agri-tech businesses scale and commercialise their innovations. This initiative, part of Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme and delivered in collaboration with Innovate UK, aims to support technologies ready for on-farm use.
The competition’s unique investment model combines public and private funding, encouraging private investment and fostering the growth of UK agri-tech businesses. The ‘Investor Partner Pool’ includes over 150 trusted investment organisations, selected for their expertise and interest in backing innovative, high-growth businesses. This new round follows a successful pilot that supported five agri-tech businesses and attracted more than £10 million in private investment.
To be eligible, businesses must be micro, small, or medium-sized, with an experimental technology close to market, seeking late seed or Series A stage investment. Projects must demonstrate clear benefits to farmers, growers, and agricultural businesses in England, cost between £750,000 and £3,000,000, last up to 18 months, and be carried out entirely in the UK. Grant funding will cover up to 45% for micro or small organisations and up to 35% for medium-sized organisations.
Applications open on 2 June and close on 2 July. To apply, businesses must finalise a late-stage innovation, show potential to grow and scale with investor support, and address a farm-focused challenge. Applications will be assessed by independent experts, with successful applicants notified after agreeing heads of terms with a lead investor.
A webinar and Q&A session will be held on 5 June to explain the application process, eligibility criteria, and funding rules, as well as provide an overview of the Investor Partner Pool.
One of the businesses supported through the pilot was Upcycled Plant Protein (UPP), which developed Harvesta, a technology that automates broccoli harvesting and converts crop waste into nutrient-dense protein ingredients. Through the competition, UPP secured over £350,000 in grant funding and more than £700,000 in private investment. Mark Evans, CEO of UPP, praised the competition’s role in delivering new technologies and business models that support UK farmers and food supply.
This competition presents a significant opportunity for agri-tech businesses to scale their innovations, attract private investment, and contribute to the growth and resilience of UK farming.