£12m 'Dragons Den' farming innovation boost Grant
In context
This call is open to startups, small and medium-sized businesses and large companies and 2 others, at idea and R&D stage, prototype and pilot stage and pre-seed. Funding is a grant. Coverage is read from the notice itself: United Kingdom.
This £12.6m grant from Innovate UK supports agricultural technology innovations that reduce costs, increase productivity, and enhance farming sustainability. It targets UK agri-tech companies and innovators developing solutions to modernize and secure the farming sector.
About this grant
The UK government is investing £12.6 million through two new Farming Innovation Programme competitions to boost agri-tech and support farming businesses. The funding, delivered in partnership with Innovate UK, backs research and development of innovative solutions that cut costs, reduce seasonal labour needs, improve animal health, and tackle wider industry challenges. The programme builds on previously funded ideas such as robotic strawberry pickers and early-warning health systems for cattle. Two competition streams are available: Small R&D Partnerships for later-stage projects moving closer to market, and Feasibility Studies for early-stage ideas to test concepts and inform investment decisions. The initiative supports the government's Plan for Change and New Deal for Farmers, helping farm businesses become more resilient, productive, and profitable.
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Eligibility
The page does not specify detailed eligibility criteria such as organisation types, geographic restrictions within the UK, development stage requirements, or sector restrictions. It indicates the funding is for UK farmers and growers and farming businesses, but does not detail whether applicants must be sole traders, SMEs, larger enterprises, or other specific entity types.
How it's scored
The page does not provide information on evaluation or scoring criteria, weightings, or panel composition for assessing applications.
Key requirements
- ✓Innovation must be in agricultural technology or farming practices
- ✓Projects should demonstrate potential to cut costs and drive growth in UK farming
- ✓Solutions must address sustainability and long-term viability of the farming sector
Recent past awardees
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Frequently asked questions
- How much funding does Innovate UK offer?
- £12m 'Dragons Den' farming innovation boost offers £12M – £12.6M.
- Who can apply for £12m 'Dragons Den' farming innovation boost?
- Eligibility covers organisations in GB; startup, sme, large-company, university, research-institution. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.
Relevant sectors
About this sector
Food systems funding covers sustainable production, supply-chain resilience, food loss, nutrition and smallholder livelihoods. It is offered by agriculture and development agencies, multilateral programmes and foundations, often with a focus on low- and middle-income countries. Applicants are generally asked to show local partnerships and how benefits reach farmers or consumers.
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