Innovate UK is offering some fantastic opportunities for innovation funding for the food sector. It has launched several new funding competitions aimed at promoting innovation and sustainability in the industry.
Better Food for All
Firstly, there is the “Better Food for All” initiative. This competition offers support to companies working on innovative products, technologies, and processes that can help to produce healthier products. Additionally, the competition is split into 3 strands. Funding rules vary in each. Choosing which strand to choose depend on how near market your innovation actually stands. Get in touch so I can explain more about how this all works.
Novel Low Emission Food Production
Secondly, is the “Novel Low Emission Food Production Systems” initiative. This competition aims to promote the development of sustainable food production systems. Essentially, those that can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts. The scope is largely focused around controlled environment agriculture e..g vertical farming but new technologies such as, for example, cultured meat or precision fermentation are also in scope. Check the ‘scope’ section of the competition for details. Again there are multiple strands of funding in this one. Feel free to get in touch if you’d like to understand how this all work
What else is out there?
These competitions are just two examples of the many opportunities currently available for food and drink businesses looking to win Innovate UK funding. Smart grants are regularly open but these can be very competitive because they are not solely focused on food and drink projects. A Made Smarter competition is also open for companies looking to develop robotic applications. The funding provided through these initiatives is an excellent way for companies to invest in the future of their business.
What next?
If you’re a business in the food and drink sector and are interested in learning more about these funding opportunities, then please do get in touch with me. Contact me via my LinkedIn profile or via my employer Campden BRI. I’d be happy to provide more information and guidance on how to apply for these and future programs. In conclusion, with the support of Innovate UK, there has never been a better time to take your food business to the next level.