Defra Farming Innovation Investor Partnership

The aim of this competition is to:

• Develop ambitious late-stage innovative solutions, technologies, systems, or approaches that will make significant steps towards improving productivity and profitability as well as increasing sustainability and resilience.
• Help the agriculture sector move towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
• Support commercialisation of late-stage experimental development projects that are close to market and ultimately their adoption by farmers.

Your proposal must be able to demonstrate how the project will benefit farmers, growers, or foresters in England.

Your project must:

• Demonstrate your ambition to finalise a late-stage innovation.
• Show your potential to grow and scale your business through successful negotiation of investment from a lead investor associated with the competition.
• Provide a coherent project plan that integrates into your business strategy.

Your solutions must significantly improve farm-focused:

• Productivity
• Sustainability and environmental impact
• Progression towards net-zero emissions
• Resilience

Specific Themes

Your project must address a significant industry challenge or opportunity in at least one of the industry subsectors:

• Livestock
• Plants
• Novel food production systems
• Bioeconomy and agroforestry

Key Dates

• 2 July 2025 – Competition closes
• 8 August 2025 – Notification of Innovate UK grant eligibility
• 3 December 2025 – Deadline to reach heads of terms with lead investor
• 19 December 2025 – Applicants notified
• 1 April 2026 – Project start from