Nurturing Innovation in the Agri-tech and Food Technology Cluster for Mid and North Wales

Innovate UK has announced funding of £5m over the next 3-years for UK registered small and micro businesses to grow their innovation activities in the agri-tech and food technology cluster in Mid and North Wales.

To support businesses to access funding from this opportunity, Innovate UK requires the support of a Launchpad Cluster Management Organisation (CMO).

The Mid and North Wales Launchpad CMO will be led by Growing Mid Wales (Ceredigion County Council) with support from the North Wales Economic Ambition Board (Gwynedd Council), together with AberInnovation and M-Sparc. Building on existing expertise in this field, AberInnovation will lead on an engagement programme for the food technology cluster with M-Sparc leading on an engagement programme for the agri-tech cluster.

A Steering Group will be established consisting of a broad range of organisations from within the region to ensure the greatest impact from the CMO to eligible businesses across the Mid and North Wales area. This membership includes:

Growing Mid Wales; North Wales Economic Ambition Board; M-Sparc; AberInnovation; Aberystwyth University; Bangor University; AMRC Cymru; Food Innovation Wales (incl. Food Centres) and Welsh Government.

The Steering Group will provide strategic co-ordination and alignment of Launchpad activity. This will enable a stronger profile and presence of the Launchpad opportunities to businesses in the region on the funding opportunities.

By utilising and strengthening existing networks and industry support, businesses will be able to access a wealth of support and technical expertise to bid for funding. By working in strategic partnership, this should lead to better quality and more impactful project applications.