[Disclosure: AgFunder is AgFunderNews’ parent company.]
Innovation relies constantly on the connections between farmers and scientists, technologists, entrepreneurs, and others.
Agri-TechE, an independent, not-for-profit membership organization, has spent the last decade bringing these groups together via its network, and through various events, content, and communications.
“For those companies in our membership who are seeking finance, it’s been a tougher time than I can remember, but I think we’re seeing ‘green shoots of interest,’” says Agri-TechE director Belinda Clarke.
In particular, “There are some solutions coming through where the innovation is based on a very elegant understanding of metabolism—things like enhancing photosynthetic efficiency,” she adds.
Clarke and the Agri-TechE team shared more on this and other topics after participating in AgFunder’s recent Global AgriFoodTech Investment report.
AgFunder: Tell us more about Agri-TechE.
Agri-TechE: As the UK’s leading agritech membership organization, Agri-TechE is driving innovation and investment in agriculture. We provide a powerful platform that connects cutting-edge agri-tech innovators with investors, researchers, and industry leaders.
Our independence and over a decade of industry expertise make us uniquely positioned to support companies at every stage of their growth. From early-stage ventures securing their first round of investment to scaling businesses looking for major funding, we facilitate the right connections to accelerate success.
As a trusted, independent organization, we ensure that our members gain visibility, strategic insights, and access to the right investors at the right time.
AgFunder: Which types of companies do you work with?
Agri-TechE: The UK agri-tech sector is maturing, and Agri-TechE is at the heart of its evolution. We work closely with pioneering companies across the full spectrum of investment needs, from seed funding to multi-million-pound growth rounds.
Agri-TechE members span the full Technology Readiness spectrum, from early-stage innovators to scaling businesses and established enterprises.
Almost half of our membership is made up of technology-development businesses, of which 30% are early-stage, seeking their first public funding or private investment; 32% are scaling up with a growing customer base and revenue streams; and 38% are commercially viable businesses no longer reliant on funding. This diversity reflects an industry that is “growing up” – one that is no longer just about start-ups but is home to sustainable, scalable solutions with global impact.
Our partnership with the UK Government’s Venture Capital Unit on several agri-tech “Look Books” has helped showcase top-tier UK innovations to global investors, boosting international fundraising efforts and promoting the UK’s capabilities worldwide.
AgFunder: What future trends do you see for agrifoodtech investment?
Agri-TechE: There are some solutions coming through where the innovation is based on a very elegant understanding of metabolism—things like enhancing photosynthetic efficiency.
Biologicals are becoming more rigorous and based on a real understanding of the interactions between organisms. There’s a greater understanding of some really heavy duty biology on which these new companies are predicated, where innovators are really understanding mechanistically what’s going on.
AgFunder: What about trends in funding?
Agri-TechE: The UK’s Defra Minister, Daniel Zeichner MP, has called for “patient capital” and we hope this might be enabled by the UK government’s proposed creation of pension “megafunds.”
Policy and investment are crucially inter-dependent. Amid the debate about whether traditional venture capital is appropriate for agri-tech, we’re keen to see policies incentivizing blended finance models, public-private partnerships and ways to encourage longer-term investment.
Upcoming Agri-TechE events:
Agri-TechE: Focus on Finance, 11 September. Navigating the investment landscape can be challenging, and our Focus on Finance event is designed to help agri-tech businesses understand their funding options, connect with investors, and refine their pitches.
Featuring Louisa Burwood-Taylor, Head of Media and Research at AgFunder, as the keynote speaker, this event offers invaluable insights into global investment trends. Whether you’re seeking your first round of funding or scaling up with a multi-million-pound investment, Focus on Finance is where innovation meets opportunity.
REAP Conference, 4 November. Our flagship event, REAP, brings together global thought leaders, investors, and innovators to explore the future of agriculture.
With a focus on practical applications and commercial viability, REAP showcases breakthrough technologies, fosters high-value collaborations, and provides a platform for discussing – and shaping – emerging trends in agri-tech.
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