EU funding and lean start-up practices to accelerate agriculture innovation

In the United Kingdom, a new agricultural innovation program received European funding to accelerate the development of promising ideas into practical tools for other economic sectors by bringing together researchers and small businesses to work on collaborative projects as start-up enterprises.

Up to 25 “short-leap” projects over the next three years will cover four themes: Soils, Water and Environment; Internet of Things; High Value Products; and Sustainable and Green Products. The venture is backed by the European Regional Development Fund, with the support of the Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership.

“The projects will use the lean technologies practiced by start-ups,” says Angela Karp, Director for Science Innovation, Engagement & Partnerships at Rothamsted Research, which is leading the new venture as part of the institute’s Agricultural Research and Innovation Accelerator. “AgRIA is founded on a dynamic model developed at the institute to accelerate innovations arising from our strategic research programs,” Karp said.