Gloucestershire farming and environmental businesses with fresh ideas on how to make agriculture more productive and sustainable are being encouraged to apply for packages of expert support, to help take their project to the next level.
Three tailored packages worth up to £15,000 have been made available by south west-based project Environmental Space Living Lab (ESLL), which aims to facilitate collaboration between tech developers, farmers and academia in the UK to develop innovative solutions for the agriculture industry.
Through the Farming Forward Innovation Challenge, the ESLL — which is part funded by the UK Government and south west local authorities — is offering access to industry-leading expertise, equipment and test environments to help businesses develop products and services that can help drive 'sustainability, productivity and transparency' in agriculture and food supply chains.
The ESLL says the scheme 'is ideal for anyone with a vision for the future of agriculture, whether you are developing a new idea or adapting proven solutions to the agri-tech sector'.
Winning businesses will receive a range of support, including access to 'cutting-edge' technology and facilities; industry networks; and technical expertise in areas including commercialisation strategy and prototyping, and product development.
The scheme is now open for applications, with businesses having until midnight on Wednesday 18 December 2024 to complete a short application form on the Environmental Space Living Lab website.
