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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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 \u2014 we’re accelerating commercial success, strengthening UK leadership in agri-tech and helping deliver the solutions the world’s farming systems urgently need.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n