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Agricultural entrepreneurs poised for investment boost
Five new projects are shortlisted for SHAKE Climate Change as outlay tops £1.2m
A shortlist of five new companies was announced this week for investment by the SHAKE Climate Change programme, which supports entrepreneurs developing new agricultural technologies that have the potential to reduce carbon emissions.
The new batch includes a novel way to convert farm bio-waste into protein using black soldier fly larvae and a radical approach to growing cotton that reduces inputs of water and nutrients by 80%.
At an online showcase event held in early December, the new projects were presented to potential investors and other stakeholders. Completion of the investment process is under way, with some companies receiving funds this month and some projected to receive them after Christmas.
Under the SHAKE programme each confirmed new project receives up to £140k of investment plus scientific support and business mentoring. SHAKE is funded by Societe Generale UK Foundation and managed by Rothamsted Research in partnership with Cranfield University, UCL (University College London) and the University of Hertfordshire. Over the nine-year programme, 15 successful ventures will be supported.
Speaking at the virtual event, Bim Afolami, MP for Hitchin and Harpenden said, “Science and academia can have a practical impact on the economy when you fuse the people with the ideas and the money - and that’s what SHAKE does really, really well.”
Agriculture is often seen as one of the drivers of climate change, contributing up to 10% of carbon emissions. However, across the industry there is growing awareness of the need to develop new carbon neutral approaches to farming and food production. SHAKE aims to catalyse that change and contribute to a vision of net zero farming by 2050.
“Since our first round of 4 investments last year, we have refined our support model,” said Angela Karp, Director of Rothamsted Research. “We receive applications presenting solutions across a wide range of areas in food and agriculture, with wide global reach, and have pulled in more varied expertise to support the companies as a result. Over £1.2m has now been earmarked for investment.”
The five new companies shortlisted for investment are:
Climate Edge: A digital data platform for smallholder farmers
SugaROx: Producing a novel crop stimulant that can increase yields by 20%.
hydroCotton: A new approach to growing cotton that reduces inputs by up to 80%
Mafisa: A “cow bank” for Zambian famers
Altar-Entio: Using insect larvae to turn farm bio-waste into valuable protein
ABOUT ROTHAMSTED RESEARCH
Rothamsted Research is the longest-running agricultural research institute in the world. We work from gene to field with a proud history of ground-breaking
discoveries in areas as diverse as crop management, statistical interpretation and soil health. Our founders, in 1843, were the pioneers of modern
agriculture, and we are known for our imaginative science and our collaborative approach to developing innovative farm practice.
Through independent research, we make significant contributions to improving agri-food systems in the UK and internationally, with
economic impact estimated to exceed £3 bn in annual contribution to the UK economy. Our strength lies in our systems approach, which combines strategic research,
interdisciplinary teams and multiple partnerships.
Rothamsted is home to three unique National Bioscience Research Infrastructures which are open to researchers from all over the world:
The Long-Term Experiments,
Rothamsted Insect Survey and the
North Wyke Farm Platform.
We are strategically funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), with additional support from other national and
international funding streams, and from industry. We are also supported by the Lawes Agricultural Trust (LAT).
ABOUT BBSRC
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council is part of UK Research and Innovation, a non-departmental public body funded by a grant-in-aid
from the UK government.
BBSRC invests to push back the frontiers of biology and deliver a healthy, prosperous and sustainable future. Through our investments, we build and support a vibrant,
dynamic and inclusive community which delivers ground-breaking discoveries and develops bio-based solutions that contribute to tackling global challenges,
such as sustainable food production, climate change, and healthy ageing.
As part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), we not only play a pivotal role in fostering connections that enable the UK’s world-class research and innovation system
to flourish – we also have a responsibility to enable the creation of a research culture that is diverse, resilient, and engaged.
BBSRC proudly forges interdisciplinary collaborations where excellent bioscience has a fundamental role. We pioneer approaches that enhance the equality, diversity,
and inclusion of talent by investing in people, infrastructure, technologies, and partnerships on a global scale.
ABOUT LAT
The Lawes Agricultural Trust, established in 1889 by Sir John Bennet Lawes, supports Rothamsted Research’s national and international agricultural science through the provision of land, facilities and funding. LAT, a charitable trust, owns the estates at Harpenden and Broom's Barn, including many of the buildings used by Rothamsted Research. LAT provides an annual research grant to the Director, accommodation for nearly 200 people, and support for fellowships for young scientists from developing countries. LAT also makes capital grants to help modernise facilities at Rothamsted, or invests in new buildings.