Collaboration Opportunities Available for Start-Ups and Scale-Ups in Agricultural Innovation
BASF UK and Ireland have relaunched their successful Innovation Collaboration Day for 2024, inviting start-ups and scale-up innovators to apply for funding and collaboration opportunities to advance their agricultural proposals. Following a successful inaugural event in 2023, the global manufacturer continues its commitment to investing in research and development to promote food production, sustainability, biodiversity, and environmental protection.
“This year, as part of Innovation Collaboration Day 2024, BASF is seeking innovators working on precision and digital applications, genetic editing, crop production, or plant health and resilience,” states a recent press release. “BASF aims to establish long-term relationships, offering bespoke investments including mentoring, marketing, financial support, and collaboration on scaling to access new networks and research. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a pitching day to present their concepts and demonstrate how their innovations will advance the future of agriculture.”
One of the notable participants from 2023, Glaia Ltd, has developed a biostimulant using unique, carbon-based nanotechnologies to enhance photosynthesis and maximize global food production. CEO Dr. David Benito-Alifonso emphasizes the importance of corporate support in accelerating the adoption of groundbreaking technologies, stating, “Our photosynthetic promoters allow plants to utilize more light, increasing crop yields and enabling more sustainable agricultural practices. No single solution can address the climate crisis, but the support of corporations like BASF is crucial to advancing such transformative technologies.”
BASF’s longstanding tradition of investing in early-stage agricultural enterprises underscores its commitment to fostering innovation within the sector. Rob Gladwin, Head of Technical Management for Agricultural Solutions, UK & Ireland, highlights the importance of continuous innovation to maintain a competitive and vibrant agricultural sector. “To ensure the agricultural sector remains competitive and vibrant within the UK and Ireland, we need to continue to bring new solutions and ideas to the market, and the best way to do that is by working collaboratively through partnerships, such as the ones we create at BASF,” says Gladwin. He adds, “We are facing significant business and political change, with our sector implementing new techniques to ensure we are more efficient than ever, while also considering external factors such as weather, consumer demands, and trade. This is an opportunity to be at the forefront of this change and help shape the future of UK agriculture.”
Applications for Innovation Collaboration Day 2024 close on 31 May 2024, with shortlisting occurring in August and the pitch day scheduled for September. Interested parties can contact icDay-uk@basf.com for further support.
