Hartpury University’s Tech Box Park has formed an exciting new partnership with Barclays Eagle Labs, that will encourage Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to elevate their business to new heights within the agricultural industry. The Barclays Eagle Labs initiative fosters business growth in UK start-ups and scale-ups.
Through a unique collaboration, supported by the Barclays Eagle Labs Ecosystem Partnership Programme funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, 20 businesses will gain free access to Hartpury Tech Box Park memberships (valued at £2,500). The six-month programme of support is expected to boost high-potential businesses across the region and develop Hartpury’s thriving agri-tech community.
Designed for SMEs with traction, ready to take their growth and scalability to the next level, the memberships will help founders and entrepreneurs turn their products or services into a commercial success for the agri-tech, food-tech, and green-tech industries.
Tech Box Park membership benefits include testing and trialling at Hartpury’s commercial farm, one-on-one coaching, mentoring and support from business experts and scale-up specialists, plus events dedicated to fostering collaboration and innovation.
The Tech Box Park, an accelerator at Hartpury University, has already proven to be a valuable space for innovation, supporting over 30 business ventures. From enabling a social enterprise to create a test bed for trailing hemp derivatives in animal bedding, to showcasing the world’s most innovative anti-theft solution for agricultural machinery and testing 100% plant-based compostable packaging on hay bales – the Tech Box Park has provided a space for innovative thinking.
Catherine Briggs, Tech Box Park Manager said: “We’re excited to join forces with Barclays Eagle Labs to drive innovation and cultivate growth in the regional economy. Backed by the UK Government, Barclays Eagle Labs offers a unique support system that seamlessly integrates with our existing Tech Box Park offering more valuable opportunities for founders, entrepreneurs, and scale-ups in the region to test, trial and commercialise new products for the land-based sector.”
Amanda Allan, Director at Barclays Eagle Labs: “This is yet another exciting partnership for us here at Barclays Eagle Labs in our mission to support UK tech start-ups. Using the funding from the Digital Growth Grant from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology we think Hartpury University is an ideal partner for us. This match-funding will help them continue their proven track record in supporting local start-ups at The Tech Box Park.”
Applications are open now, and close on 31 January 2024. Click here to read more.
