A Regional Cluster of Global Agricultural Innovation Belinda Clarke Director, Agri-Tech East

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1 A Regional Cluster of Global Agricultural Innovation Belinda Clarke Director, Agri-Tech East Norfolk Farming Conference, 12 th February 2015

2 Agri-Tech East is an independent business-focussed cluster organisation, supporting innovation in plant-based agriculture and horticulture, based in the east of England Our Mission To pioneer multidisciplinary innovation to enhance the productivity, efficiency and sustainability of UK agricultural and horticultural research and production Our Vision For Agri-Tech East to be the Go-To place to access agri-innovation and entrepreneurship

3 Concentration of world-class R&D Prime agricultural land 40 % of the UK s Grade 1 land Innovative large-scale growers / processers to provide market pull for new innovations Experience in growing tech-based businesses An enabling local and national political landscape to support agri-tech National leadership including increased funding for agri-tech

4 Value of crop outputs by UK region (2012) m North East North West South Yorkshire South East West Midlands West and East and Midlands Humber London East

5 Predictive disease/weather models for crop management Measuring crop performance in the field Agri-informatics New crop varieties Seed technologies Rotation management Crop protection Selective crop management Resource use efficiency Diagnostic technologies Bioscience / Chemistry ICT Engineering Remote sensing platforms Machinery inter-operability Robotics Data capture / utilisation Decision support systems Audit and supply chain tracking Controlled traffic farming Satellite technologies Surveillance vehicles (UAV and UGV) Automated data collection

6 Fundamental research Applied R&D Translation Early stage feasibility Production Scale up Proof of concept Pilot scale evaluation Technology development Processing / Packaging Distribution Wholesale Retail / Consumer

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8 Pollinators Software / technology speedmixing Focus on Funding The Good, Bad and (B)ugly The Pollinator Pollinator The Internet of (Agri) Things Precision Ag to Decision Ag Crop yield speedmixing Symbiosis and Synergies

9 Special Interest Groups Multidisciplinary approaches to problem solving Catalysis of new collaborations for new funding Soil Health Water for Agriculture Sensing And Monitoring Technologies Data Management Measuring Crop Performance in the Field

10 Thought Leadership Seminar & Council meeting 13th Nov, Norwich Realising Economic Agricultural Potential 12th Nov, Cambridge Innovation for Agriculture 11th Nov, Ipswich HGCA Monitor Farm Open Day 15th Nov, Stowmarket *** STOP PRESS *** Agri-Tech Week 2015; 9th 13th November 2015 *** STOP PRESS ***

11 Agri-Tech Business Plan Competition Key start ups to attract large players and open innovation culture Strong regional start-up record Campus sites linking research and business Flexible business accommodation Launched at the Agri-Tech East REAP conference (Nov 12th) National applications student and non-student streams Close in April 2015, judging in May 2015 to coincide with student year Mentoring throughout the programme to help develop strong proposals Cash AND business support prizes plus access to investor networks A COLLABORATIVE INTIATIVE BETWEEN RESEARCH, BUSINESS AND EDUCATION

12 Networks Mentoring / training Finance Accommodation Professional Advice

13 Presentation to judges at the final June 8th 2015 Prepare and submit business plan By April 15th 2015 Assessed by sift panel By May 15th 2015 Assigned a mentor ONGOING Register expression of interest By March 1st 2015

14 Agri-Forum Online Community-Building Portal Two types of discussion: Public: all visitors to the site can view the discussion and registered users can comment and create topics. Private: only members of Agri-Tech East can create topics and only invited or accepted registered users can view and comment on topics.

15 Young Innovators Forum

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17 Case studies Agronomy company / water utility provider (modelling precision agriculture for biodiversity and yield) Entrepreneur / grower introduction (robotic strawberry harvesting technology) Soil moisture monitor innovation developed in Norwich brokered with sensing company in Cambridge Farm-based innovation to calculate nutrient levels from livestock slurry Connecting Cambridge software company into agri-tech research and industry base for data to inform predictive crop planting and management Of the 8 start-ups who presented at the REAP Start-Up Showcase, 5 are in ongoing discussions with investors

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19 Joining Agri-Tech East Tier Eligibility Price ( ) + VAT Seedling Individuals, companies less than 2 years old, or employing < 10 staff 200 Tiller Organisations over 2 years old and with < 50 staff 750 Flag Organisations employing > 50 staff 1000 Harvest Organisations employing > 500 staff 5000

20 Membership following launch, Jan 2015

21 Brokerage and introductions Communications, knowledge exchange Technology translation and adoption Securing new business/research investment

22 Agri-Tech Growth Fund R&D and Prototyping Fund

23 The Go-To place for agri-innovation and entrepreneurship