The UK Agri-Tech Centre has announced new fast-track support for start-ups and scale-ups within the British agricultural technology sector. The organisation, which is headquartered in York, has set out specific priorities to help these businesses accelerate their commercial progress and attract investment.
At a House of Lords reception held on 3 February 2026, incoming chief executive Steve McLean outlined plans to strengthen the sector. Steve McLean joins the organisation from his previous role as head of agriculture and fisheries sourcing at Marks & Spencer. The initiative is intended to reduce risks for investors by ensuring that new technologies are commercially viable and ready for the market.
The organisation will provide ventures with access to resources for testing and validating ideas within real-world farming and commercial environments. By facilitating connections across the industry and supply chain, the centre aims to bring British innovations into practical use. The support is focused on specific areas identified in the government’s industrial strategy, including robotics, advanced sensors and engineering biology.
Steve McLean, chief executive of the UK Agri-Tech Centre, said: “As we enter a new technological era driven by data, automation, robotics and AI, the agri-tech sector is poised for growth. The recognition of agri-tech as a Frontier Sector in the Government’s 10-year Modern Industrial Strategy elevates its importance across the economy, and sets our context and our purpose.”
The centre has supported more than 300 businesses to date and plans to address barriers to innovation and international scaling. Current opportunities include a solution sprint for technical challenges and an accelerator programme to help businesses scale in international markets, beginning with New Zealand.
Steve McLean added: “Our goal is clear: to make the UK one of the world’s most successful environments for agri‑tech innovation, attracting and growing the most capable, impactful ventures. We will support the agri-tech sector in achieving its full potential by accelerating the commercialisation and scale-up of UK agri-tech ventures, by enabling access to advice, connection and capabilities. Our role in supporting agri-tech ventures on their growth path will support them in achieving commercial success with viable businesses. Combining my commercial background from one of the UK’s largest retailers with experience from across the entire agri value chain consolidates our strategic position in supporting ventures in this high potential sector.”
For more information visit UK Agri-Tech Centre.
Image source: UK Agri-Tech Centre
