The UK Agri-Tech Centre in York has launched the Global Growth Accelerator, an international programme designed to assist UK agri-tech businesses by validating technologies for dairy and livestock within the New Zealand farming system. The initiative is delivered in partnership with Agnition Ventures and AgriTech New Zealand.
The programme provides structured access to more than 500 early-adopter farms for third-party validation, farmer feedback, and potential investment. by using the counter-seasonality of New Zealand, the initiative offers testing opportunities and positions UK technologies for expansion across New Zealand and Australasia.
The Global Growth Accelerator focuses on co-creating in-country pilot projects to validate UK-developed solutions with end-users. The initiative aims to map partnerships with stakeholders in target regions and design tailored projects to prove market readiness and export viability.
Dr Jenna Ross OBE, Senior International Development Manager at the UK Agri-Tech Centre, said: “The Global Growth Accelerator is about backing the UK’s most promising agri-tech businesses with the real-world validation, building on partnerships with Agnition Ventures and AgriTech New Zealand, and driving market access to scale on the global stage. By embedding our innovators directly into high-value international ecosystems, we’re not just opening doors — we’re accelerating commercial success, strengthening UK leadership in agri-tech and helping deliver the solutions the world’s farming systems urgently need.”
To be eligible, innovations must address challenges such as biosecurity, animal health, farm productivity, climate volatility, or environmental compliance. Businesses must be UK-registered and have technology at readiness level 9, meaning it is ready for demonstration in a relevant environment. Technologies of interest include pasture monitoring, animal genetics, and methane reduction tools.
Brendan O’Connell, Chief Executive at AgriTech New Zealand, said: “The Global Growth Accelerator reflects the spirit of our Memorandum of Understanding with the UK Agri-Tech Centre, connecting trusted partners across two highly complementary agri-tech ecosystems. By welcoming UK innovators to engage with New Zealand, we are building the relationships needed to accelerate solutions that support farmers and help address global food challenges.”
Applications for the programme remain open until 10 April 2026. Support provided to successful applicants is expected to be managed under the UK Subsidy Control Act 2022.
To find out more about how to accelerate your global impact, or to register, visit https://ukagritechcentre.com/global-growth-accelerator/
Image source: Stock image provided by Agri-Tech
