GROW 2016/17 launched at REAP

The national Agri-Tech business plan competition GROW is now live. GROW aims to give everyone with a good idea for improving agricultural production the chance to see if it can be made into a viable business.

Very early stage business concepts are given a boost through the support of a mentor with industry experience and finalists have the chance to present their plan to potential investors and collaborators.

Dr Belinda Clarke, Director of Agri-Tech, explains that the aim of the competition is to stimulate entrepreneurship:

“The exciting thing about the previous competition has been seeing the variety of people with good ideas. Entries come from farmers, scientists, researchers, and technology developers, and could be anything that will improve the sustainability, profitability, or productivity of agriculture and horticulture.”

Register an expression of interest to be assigned a mentor.  You will have until April to submit a 12-page business plan.  Those selected for the final will have a chance to present to a group of industry experts at the final.

“We have a panel of esteemed judges who provide invaluable advice and feedback,” continues Dr Clarke. “In addition to a cash prize, the winners have the opportunity to choose support award prizes from a range selected to help new businesses really grow and flourish.

“I would like to give a huge thank you to all of the organisations who’ve donated support award prizes.  We have a vibrant ecosystem to assist new agri-tech start-ups and GROW demonstrates how this is one of the best places in the world to set up a new business.”

Find out more about the 2016/17 GROW business plan competition on GROW page here, and click here to read more about the winners of the 2015/16 competition, which was kindly sponsored by Innovate UK.

Note this is a historic post – but if you are interested in entering in future challenges do get in contact.