A showcase of cutting-edge innovation and collaboration took place at the Royal Welsh Show as Growing Mid Wales and partners hosted a ‘Powering Progress: Innovation and Funding in Agri-Tech and Food-Tech’ event.
Held at Tŵr Brycheiniog, the event brought together agri-tech and food-tech businesses, funders, cluster members; Ambition North Wales, AberInnovation, M-Sparc, Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) Cymru – University of Sheffield, Welsh Government, Innovate UK, and other stakeholders to explore opportunities for innovation, share funding success stories, and encourage cross-sector collaboration.
As part of the wider Nurturing Innovation in the Agri-tech and Food Technology Cluster for Mid and North Wales, the session celebrated the impact of Innovate UK’s Launchpad funding, and featured projects such as Tirlun.ai, Terrafarmer, Diagnostig Ltd, Pennotec (Pennog Ltd), Chitexo Ltd, Neurobotics Ltd, Arcitekbio Ltd, and SmartApiary.
Barbara Green, Project Manager for the Cluster Management Organisation, said:
“Events like these are vital for building momentum around innovation in rural economies. It was brilliant to see businesses connect directly with funders and partners, and we’re already seeing new collaborations and ideas taking shape as a result.”
The afternoon included a Funding Success Surgery, where representatives from Innovate UK and its Business Growth team shared insights into what makes a strong application and how businesses can tap into future opportunities.
Louise Jones, Innovation Lead at Innovate UK, said:
“It’s exciting to see how regional collaboration is unlocking innovation in agri-tech and food-tech. The diversity and quality of the funded projects here in Mid and North Wales show that the potential is huge and we’re proud to support it.”
Attendees also heard directly from funded businesses such as the Pennotec project, MilaCel Plus, that aims to develop innovative, sustainable, and fibre-rich fat and sugar replacement ingredients for prepared foods, using underutilised local crops to support healthier diets, reduce food waste, and boost biodiversity in Mid and North Wales.
Dr Jonathan Hughes, Pennotec (Pennog Ltd), said:
“Being part of this cluster has given us more than just funding — it’s opened the door to knowledge exchange, support, and partnerships that will help to successfully scale our Circular Economy innovations.”
The session concluded with informal networking and opportunities for businesses to pitch ideas, forge partnerships, and sign up to cluster groups. The success of the event reinforces Mid and North Wales’ growing reputation as a hub for innovation and sustainable growth in agri-food and agri-tech sectors.
Businesses interested in joining either the Agri-Food or Food Technology clusters and staying informed about future funding opportunities can find more information on the Growing Mid Wales website: www.growingmid.wales/AgriTechFoodTech
