NIAB key partner for tech start-ups

• Regional support and mentoring

• Barn4 incubator for entrepreneurs

• New opportunities for UK farming

A £3.5m funding pot for NIAB is helping to establish small and start-up-companies specialising in cutting-edge science and agri-technology.

The five-year funding programme – showcased to visitors earlier this autumn – is supporting fledgling businesses involved in plant genetics, pest management, soil health, artificial intelligence and farm robotics.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough mayor Nik Johnson was among the visitors to NIAB’s state-of-the-art crop research facility at Park Farm, Histon. The agri-tech sector is seen as increasingly important to the regional economy.

Led by NIAB chief executive Mario Caccamo, the tour began at NIAB’s SME business incubator ‘Barn4’ – a purpose-built facility funded by the Combined Authority which includes laboratories, plant growth containers and vertical farming facilities.

So far, Barn4 has supported around 120 small and start-up agri-tech businesses. They are also given broader support – such as mentoring, business planning and raising investment and applying for grants – to further break down barriers to growth.

The group moved on to the MacLeod Complex, 2,800m2 of research glasshouses and learned more about NIAB’s research into legume and pulse crops – new opportunities for domestic protein production, such as UK chickpea varieties.

Global hub

The agri-tech and food-tech sector in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough employs a combined 22,000 people and is worth about £1bnto the economy. There are increasing links with the area’s wider tech sector too.

Dr Johnson said he wanted to see the eastern region become a global hub of innovation in agri-tech. Investment in NIAB, supporting new businesses and jobs, was part of the combined authority’s work to back the sector, he said.

“It was fascinating to see the exciting research and commercialisation of some products which could be on our own dinner tables very soon, and fantastic that it’s happening right here, supporting our economy and creating skilled jobs.”

Professor Caccamo, said the combined authority was an important strategic partner for NIAB. He added: “Its investment has enabled us to support local innovation and entrepreneurship within the rapidly expanding agritech sector.”

This was helping to ensure Cambridgeshire remains at the forefront of finding and developing solutions to agricultural and environmental challenges – including the climate crisis and food security.

Investors reminded of huge potential

The UK Agri-Tech Centre – which helps agri-tech start-ups become market-ready – is reminding investors to keep the sector in their sights.

Investment in agri-tech start-ups is at its lowest point for over half a decade – and down by 29% last year from 2022, according to the latest AgFunder report. The sector includes engineering, biology, artificial intelligence and autonomous technology.

UK Agri-Tech Centre chief executive Phil Bicknell (left) said technology could have a transformational effect on food production in the UK and abroad, with all the ensuing benefits of economic growth and food security.

The UK Agri-Tech Centre currently has 85 live projects underway, involving 84 partners, leveraging a total of £64.4M direct total support, with much larger anticipated financial impact and benefits, if commercialised.

“The UK is fortunate to have a very rich agri-innovation R&D ecosystem and is well supported by government and grant-funding which significantly de-risks early-stage test and trial, but the final driver of success is private investment.

“We are working with numerous, innovative start-ups whose products are game-changing and invite the wider investment community to support our  sector’s potential to grow great businesses and create a more sustainable future.”