Innovate UK Launchpad is a programme supporting emerging clusters of SMEs in the UK. The UK Food Valley successfully secured £7.5m for our important agri, food and drink clusters across the Eastern England region. Round one was launched in the autumn with a further round to follow shortly.

Details

The UK Food Valley is hosting a webinar followed by a live event to inform Greater Lincolnshire agriculture, food and drink businesses and academics on the opportunities for Eastern England Launchpad funding, to include application process with mini briefings from the support agencies who can help you find partners, develop your application, and provide guidance on the innovate UK process.  

The UK Food Valley is hosting the webinar briefing to support businesses to be funding bid-ready on 18th April 2024. 

There will also be a live event at the Lincoln Institute of Agri-Food Technology in Riseholme Lincoln on 3rd May, aimed at everyone across food, agri-tech, and seafood processing and aquaculture.

This will include short pitches from support agencies locally and nationally, speed networking and the opportunity to discuss your project ideas, receive advice, and seek R&D partners.

Register your place at either or both events:

Webinar 10:00am – 11:30am 18th April. This webinar focuses on Greater Lincolnshire. However, participants are welcome from anywhere in the UK to find out more. 

In person event 09:00am - 1:00pm 3rd May.

Launchpad Programme

A partnership of the  Greater Lincolnshire LEP, Norfolk County Council, Suffolk County Council and the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority has been awarded funding from Innovate UK under the Launchpads programme.

The programme is available to businesses working in the region to apply for competitive grants for R&D and innovation projects who work in the agrifood sector and supply chains.

Round one was launched in the autumn 2023 with a further round in 2024.

To be eligible, projects must make a significant contribution to one or more of the following:

  • Enhancing the productivity of primary crops, the bio-economy, livestock, aquaculture or ornamental plants 
  • Biotechnologies related to agriculture, food and nutrition 
  • Food that promotes safe, healthy and nutritious diets
  • Resource-efficient production methods for low-emission foods

Projects can focus on one or more of the following:

  • Sustainability in the context of environmental challenges such as climate change and resource scarcity
  • Protecting, maintaining or enhancing animal welfare within current UK regulatory standard 
  • Nutritional composition, food manufacturing and processing, packaging, and safety 
  • Minimising negative effects such as pollution, food loss and waste 
  • Resilience and responsiveness in the supply chain, mitigating risks, interruptions or disruptions

Businesses applying for grant funding must either be based in Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland, Norfolk, Suffolk, or Cambridgeshire, or be able to demonstrate how their project will significantly benefit those areas. 

To find out more contact effie.warwick-john@lincolnshire.gov.uk