Event to Foster Partnerships and Drive Agricultural Innovation
BASF UK and Ireland have relaunched their Innovation Collaboration Day, inviting start-ups and scale-up innovators to apply for funding and development support for their proposals. Following the success of the inaugural event in 2023, this initiative aims to continue driving advancements in the UK agriculture industry through collaborative efforts.
A global leader in agricultural solutions, BASF has a rich history of investing in research and development, bringing numerous innovative products and solutions to market that enhance food production, sustainability, biodiversity, and environmental protection. This year, BASF is seeking innovators working on precision and digital applications, genetic editing, crop production, or plant health and resilience.
The 2024 Innovation Collaboration Day is designed to establish long-term relationships with selected innovators, offering bespoke investments in the form of mentoring, marketing, financial support, and collaboration on scaling and accessing new networks and research. Shortlisted candidates will have the opportunity to present their concepts on a pitching day, providing insight into how their innovations will help advance the future of agriculture.
An example of a successful participant from 2023 is Glaia Ltd, which developed a biostimulant using unique, carbon-based nanotechnologies to enhance photosynthesis and maximize global food production. CEO Dr. David Benito-Alifonso highlighted the significance of corporate support in accelerating the adoption of transformative technologies. “Our photosynthetic promoters allow plants to utilize more light, increasing crop yields and enabling more sustainable agriculture practices. No silver bullet can solve the climate crisis, but we believe that the support of corporations like BASF is key to accelerating the adoption of game-changing technologies like ours,” Benito-Alifonso stated.
Despite the Innovation Collaboration Day being only in its second year, BASF has a long-standing commitment to supporting land-based, embryonic start-ups and entrepreneurs. Rob Gladwin, Head of Technical Management for Agricultural Solutions, UK & Ireland, will be part of the review panel this year. Gladwin emphasized the importance of innovation and collaboration in maintaining the competitiveness and vibrancy of the agricultural sector within the UK and Ireland.
“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. We are facing significant business and political change, with our sector implementing new techniques to ensure we are more efficient than ever, whilst also taking into consideration the many external factors that are out of our control such as the weather, consumer demands, and trade. This is an opportunity to be at the forefront of this change and to help shape the future of UK agriculture. Whether you are in the very early stages or have been working on a project for a few years, we are keen to hear from you,” Gladwin added.
