UK Agri-Tech Centre
UK Agri-Tech Centre is a government-funded, not-for-profit innovation body providing real-world farm testing, business support, and international market access for UK agri-tech startups across crops, livestock, aquaculture, and engineering.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2024
- HeadquartersHeslington, United Kingdom
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What UK Agri-Tech Centre does
UK Agri-Tech Centre Ltd. is a privately held, government-funded UK innovation body formed in 2024 through the merger of three predecessor organisations — CIEL (Centre for Innovation Excellence in Livestock), CHAP (Crop Health and Protection), and Agri-Epi. Headquartered in Heslington, York, with regional hubs at Harper Adams University (Midlands) and Easter Bush (Northern Scotland), the centre operates a network of 40+ UK farms and co-owns specialised facilities including the Marine Aquaculture Innovation Centre (MAIC) and a Digital Phenotyping Laboratory, providing real-world test, trial, and demonstration infrastructure for crop, livestock, aquaculture, and engineering technologies.
Its core offering is structured around a "Prove-Build-Scale" framework: Test/Trial/Demonstrate services using commercial farms and controlled-environment facilities, Business Support for commercialisation and investment readiness, and Sector Growth via accelerator programmes including FASTA (Net Zero MRV technologies, with Carbon Trust), the Global Growth Accelerator (Australasia and North America tracks), and Ready Set Sprint. The centre connects startups, farmers, supply chains, investors, regulators, and researchers through a Community Directory, free workshops, and an extensive events programme (Cereals, Groundswell, Dairy-Tech, Aqua Nor, LAMMA). The organisation is positioned within the UK government's Modern Industrial Strategy as a Frontier Sector.
The business model is primarily grant-funded by Innovate UK and other government departments, with services delivered free or at low cost to qualifying agri-tech businesses, supplemented by partnership-funded accelerator programmes and international market access delivered through channel partners such as Sprout Agritech and AgriTech New Zealand. Permanent CEO Steve McLean was appointed in early 2026 to drive a scaleup strategy focused on accelerating commercial outcomes for UK agri-tech startups and scaleups.
UK Agri-Tech Centre firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- UK Agri-Tech Centre
- Legal name
- UK Agri-Tech Centre Ltd.
- Website
- https://ukagritechcentre.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2024
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- UK Agri-Tech Centre is a government-funded, not-for-profit innovation body providing real-world farm testing, business support, and international market access for UK agri-tech startups across crops, livestock, aquaculture, and engineering.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
UK Agri-Tech Centre industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Agricultural Technology R&D Services
- NAICS
- Support Activities for Crop Production (11511), Support Activities for Animal Production (11521), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)
- SIC
- Agricultural Services (700), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Decision Support & Agronomic Modeling (Yield, Irrigation, Pest/Disease Forecasting) (AFAAAFAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Carbon, Sustainability & Farm Certification Support (Agro-Environmental Advisory) (AFACABAL), Sustainable/Regenerative Agriculture & Conservation Practices (EDAOAOAO)
Keywords
Where UK Agri-Tech Centre is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Heslington
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
UK Agri-Tech Centre business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Government-Funded Business Support Services: The UK Agri-Tech Centre provides services to agri-tech businesses through government funding support, primarily from Innovate UK and other government departments. Services include testing, business support, and market access programs delivered at no or low cost to qualifying businesses.
- Event and Workshop Programs: The organization delivers workshops and events, many of which are free to attend, funded through government and industry partnerships to support agri-tech innovation ecosystem development.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Free workshops and events for agri-tech businesses |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Trade show and conference presence |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
UK Agri-Tech Centre product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The UK Agri-Tech Centre provides real-world testing, validation, and demonstration services for agri-tech innovations across crops, livestock, aquaculture, and engineering through a network of 40+ farms and specialist facilities in the UK (plus 500+ early-adopter farms in New Zealand). It also delivers commercialization support, investor readiness, and international market access programs via its Prove-Build-Scale framework, helping high-TRL agri-tech businesses move from concept to commercial reality.
Product overview
The UK Agri-Tech Centre operates as a comprehensive support ecosystem for agri-tech businesses, offering three core service pillars: Test, Trial and Demonstrate (access to 40+ farms and specialist facilities for real-world validation), Business Support (commercial strategy and investment attraction), and Sector Growth (market access and international scaling). The organization runs specialized accelerator programmes including FASTA (for Net Zero MRV technologies), the Global Growth Accelerator (with Australasia and North America regional tracks), and Ready Set Sprint (fast-track business support). Physical infrastructure includes the Marine Aquaculture Innovation Centre (MAIC), Midlands Agri-Tech Innovation Hub at Harper Adams University, and Northern Agri-Tech Innovation Hub at Easter Bush. The centre connects businesses to a wider ecosystem of farmers, supply chains, investors, regulators, and researchers through its Community Directory.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Marine Aquaculture Innovation Centre (MAIC): A facility dedicated to proving marine aquaculture technologies and enabling industry uptake, operated by Otter Ferry Seafish and co-owned by the UK Agri-Tech Centre.
- FASTA
- Global Growth Accelerator
Products and services
- Test, Trial and Demonstrate Provides agri-tech businesses with access to a network of over 40 farms and specialist facilities for real-world testing, validation, and demonstration of technologies under actual farm conditions. Targets high-TRL agri-tech companies needing to prove product viability.
- Business Support Supports agri-tech businesses to be commercially successful by helping refine propositions, attract investment, and scale operations. Delivered through workshops including 'From Innovation to Scale' series covering business modeling, fundraising, product-market fit, and commercialization.
- Sector Growth Enables adoption of agri-tech through markets, supply chains, and global connections, supporting businesses to scale successfully in the UK and internationally. Provides connections to farmers, supply chain partners, investors, and regulators.
- FASTA (Food and Agriculture Systems Technology Accelerator) Delivered in partnership with Carbon Trust, FASTA helps UK-based innovators scale technologies supporting sustainable farming through Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) systems for Net Zero agriculture.
- Global Growth Accelerator International programme that co-creates in-country pilot projects to validate UK-developed solutions with end-users, removing barriers to investment and opening commercial pathways globally through regional tracks in Australasia and North America.
- Global Growth Accelerator – Australasia Helps UK agri-tech businesses validate technologies for dairy and livestock sectors in New Zealand farming systems, providing structured access to over 500 early-adopter farms for third-party validation through partners Sprout Agritech, Agnition Ventures, and AgriTech New Zealand.
- Global Growth Accelerator – North America Supports UK agri-tech businesses in accessing and validating technologies within North American agricultural markets.
- Ready, Set, Sprint Agri-Tech Solution Sprints delivering specialist expert support to tackle business growth challenges and move innovations closer to market quickly. Fast-track business growth support.
- Marine Aquaculture Innovation Centre (MAIC) Operated by Otter Ferry Seafish (an Amar Seafood company) and co-owned by the UK Agri-Tech Centre, MAIC provides real-world testing and demonstration for marine aquaculture innovation in commercially representative environments at Tighnabruaich, UK.
- Midlands Agri-Tech Innovation Hub Located at Harper Adams University, the home of agricultural engineering in Shropshire, providing facilities and expertise for agri-tech innovation and testing. Hosts agri-tech businesses including UPP, Earth Rover, Herdwatch and MagrowTec.
- Northern Agri-Tech Innovation Hub Located at Easter Bush, Roslin, providing facilities for testing and validation of agri-tech solutions and supporting agri-tech businesses with validation and product-market fit workshops.
- Community Directory Online community directory connecting agri-tech innovators, farmers, supply chains, investors, regulators, and researchers to enable scale and impact across the UK agri-tech ecosystem.
Quantifiable outcome
- Cut fertiliser and agrochemicals by up to 65% in trial plots with competitive yields
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use UK Agri-Tech Centre
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
UK Agri-Tech Centre technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability8 records
Feature5 records
UK Agri-Tech Centre partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Sprout AgritechcorePartner in the Global Growth Accelerator program for New Zealand, providing access to over 500 early-adopter farms for UK agri-tech businesses to validate dairy and livestock technologies in New Zealand farming systems.
- Agnition VenturescoreStrategic partner in the Global Growth Accelerator program, contributing to the delivery of international market access for UK agri-tech businesses.
- AgriTech New ZealandcorePartner in the Global Growth Accelerator program providing structured access to New Zealand's agricultural ecosystem for UK agri-tech validation and market entry.
- Carbon TrustcoreJoint delivery of the FASTA (Food and Agriculture Systems Technology Accelerator) program to help UK innovators scale technologies supporting sustainable farming and Net Zero agriculture through MRV systems.
- Otter Ferry SeafishcoreCo-owner of the Marine Aquaculture Innovation Centre (MAIC) with the UK Agri-Tech Centre. An Amar Seafood company operating the facility for real-world testing and demonstration of marine aquaculture innovation.
- Harper Adams UniversitycoreHome of the Midlands Agri-Tech Innovation Hub, hosting agri-tech businesses and providing agricultural engineering expertise and facilities.
- ADOPT Support HubcoreCollaborative partner in delivering practical on-farm events through the AHDB Farm Excellence programmes, bridging research and real-world farming decisions.
- AHDBcorePartnership for the Strategic Cereal Farm program and ADOPT field tested events, delivering on-farm research demonstrations across the UK.
- Rothamsted EnterprisesminorNetworking partner hosting events at Rothamsted facilities including Digital Phenotyping Laboratory, Rothamsted Sample Archive, and Field Scanalyzer.
- ARRNet (Agri-Robotics Regulatory Network)coreCollaboration between UK Agri-Tech Centre, Lincoln Institute for Agri-food Technology, Harper Adams University, and Manufacturing Technology Centre working to overcome barriers to widespread adoption of robotics and automation in agriculture.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
UK Agri-Tech Centre competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Fraunhofer Institute (IME and related): Germany's applied research network with agri-food divisions offering contract R&D and validation services. Comparable as a publicly funded applied research network with industry collaboration models.
- CSIRO: Australia's national science agency with significant agri-food research, including digital agriculture, precision livestock, and aquaculture. Comparable scale and mission as a state-backed research body with commercial translation programs.
Direct peers
- INRAE: France's national research institute for agriculture, food, and environment. Provides comparable R&D infrastructure, technology validation, and industry collaboration across crops, livestock, and aquatic systems.
- Teagasc: Ireland's national agriculture and food development authority, providing R&D, training, and advisory services across crops, livestock, and aquaculture. Closest structural peer to UK Agri-Tech Centre as a state-backed, multi-disciplinary agri innovation body.
- Rothamsted Research: UK's longest-running agricultural research institution, hosting facilities such as the Digital Phenotyping Laboratory that UK Agri-Tech Centre partners with. Highly comparable in crop science, phenotyping, and on-farm research.
- NIAB (National Institute of Agricultural Botany): UK crop science organization providing research, field trialling, and variety evaluation. Directly comparable as a UK-based agri-tech validation partner with shared crop and agronomy focus.
- Wageningen University and Research: Dutch agri-food research powerhouse combining Wageningen University and applied research institutes. Comparable as a globally recognized hub offering R&D, testing facilities, and startup collaboration across crop, livestock, and food tech.
Others
- Innovate UK Business Growth: UK government innovation and growth support service that funds and supports innovative businesses. Comparable as a UK public-sector innovation intermediary, and the primary funder of UK Agri-Tech Centre's programs.
Emerging players
- Plug and Play (AgriTech vertical): Global innovation platform with a dedicated AgriTech vertical running accelerator cohorts, corporate partnerships, and startup pilots. Comparable accelerator-style model targeting agri-food startups.
- SVG Ventures / Thrive AgTech: Global agri-food venture and accelerator firm running startup programs and corporate innovation partnerships. Comparable as a competing AgTech accelerator platform with international cohort-based delivery.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
UK Agri-Tech Centre social profiles
Digital presenceUK Agri-Tech Centre financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
UK Agri-Tech Centre leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
UK Agri-Tech Centre subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
UK Agri-Tech Centre funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
UK Agri-Tech Centre M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about UK Agri-Tech Centre
What does UK Agri-Tech Centre do?
The UK Agri-Tech Centre provides real-world testing, validation, and demonstration services for agri-tech innovations across crops, livestock, aquaculture, and engineering through a network of 40+ farms and specialist facilities in the UK (plus 500+ early-adopter farms in New Zealand). It also delivers commercialization support, investor readiness, and international market access programs via its Prove-Build-Scale framework, helping high-TRL agri-tech businesses move from concept to commercial reality.
Is UK Agri-Tech Centre a public or private company?
UK Agri-Tech Centre is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was UK Agri-Tech Centre founded?
UK Agri-Tech Centre was founded in 2024. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is UK Agri-Tech Centre based?
UK Agri-Tech Centre is headquartered in Heslington, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does UK Agri-Tech Centre make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Government-Funded Business Support Services are the primary driver. The others are event and Workshop Programs.
Who are UK Agri-Tech Centre's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Fraunhofer Institute (IME and related) and CSIRO. Direct peers are INRAE, Teagasc, Rothamsted Research, NIAB (National Institute of Agricultural Botany) and Wageningen University and Research. Innovate UK Business Growth is listed as an others. Emerging players are Plug and Play (AgriTech vertical) and SVG Ventures / Thrive AgTech.
Does UK Agri-Tech Centre have an API?
No public API is recorded for UK Agri-Tech Centre.
What industry is UK Agri-Tech Centre in?
UK Agri-Tech Centre's product category is Agricultural Technology R&D Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAAAFAF, Decision Support & Agronomic Modeling (Yield, Irrigation, Pest/Disease Forecasting), with a secondary code of AFACABAL, Carbon, Sustainability & Farm Certification Support (Agro-Environmental Advisory). Its NAICS code is 11511 and its SIC code is 700.