Key Takeaways
- The ‘Powering Progress’ event showcased innovation in agri-tech and food-tech at the Royal Welsh Show.
- Collaboration between businesses and funding organizations was emphasized for driving growth in rural economies.
- Attendees learned about successful funding strategies and opportunities for future projects.
Innovation and Collaboration at Royal Welsh Show
The Royal Welsh Show hosted the ‘Powering Progress: Innovation and Funding in Agri-Tech and Food-Tech’ event on July 21, organized by Growing Mid Wales and various partners. This event gathered agri-tech and food-tech businesses, funders, and other stakeholders like Ambition North Wales and the Welsh Government to explore avenues for innovation and foster sector collaboration.
The event highlighted the impacts of Innovate UK’s Launchpad funding, showcasing projects such as Tirlun.ai, Terrafarmer, and Neurobotics Ltd. Barbara Green, Project Manager for the Cluster Management Organisation, emphasized the significance of such events for boosting innovation in rural economies. She noted the positive outcomes in terms of new partnerships and innovative ideas being developed.
An integral part of the afternoon was the ‘Funding Success Surgery’. Innovate UK representatives provided valuable insights into crafting strong funding applications and discussed how businesses can leverage future opportunities. Louise Jones, Innovation Lead at Innovate UK, praised the regional collaboration driving growth in agri-tech and food-tech, underlining the immense potential in Mid and North Wales.
Among the featured initiatives was the Pennotec project aimed at creating sustainable, fiber-rich ingredients for prepared foods from underutilized local crops. Dr. Jonathan Hughes of Pennotec shared that involvement in the cluster has facilitated knowledge exchange, support, and partnerships crucial for scaling their Circular Economy innovations.
The event wrapped up with networking opportunities where businesses could pitch ideas and join cluster groups. This gathering reinforced Mid and North Wales’ emerging status as a hub for innovation and sustainable advancement in the agri-food and agri-tech sectors.
Businesses interested in joining the Agri-Food or Food Technology clusters can learn more through the Growing Mid Wales website.
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