News & Business
Agri-tech competition highlights value of peer-to-peer funding
win the backing of an audience and secure peer-to-peer funding. Held this month in Essex, the UK-wide GROW agri-tech com- petition enables budding entre- preneurs to turn their ideas into business plans – and the winner will receive funding to help turn their plan into reality. Run along the lines of TV’s
F
Dragon’s Den series, the process of pitching to the audience is an exciting twist to this year’s com- petition. It will see corporate fi - nancier and farm managing di- rector Robert Alston, guide the fi nalists through the event. Mr Alston is chairman of Nor- folk-based AF Finance, an agri-
inalists of a prestigious agri-tech business plan competition will have to
cultural investment scheme that provides cash fl ow management for farmers. He is also manag- ing direcor of his family’s farm- ing business, Silfi eld Limited.
Pitches The fi nal will feature pitches from early-stage proposals. Ideas in- clude new digital platforms to im- prove access to market for niche producers, improved techniques and tools for soil analysis, and in- novative cultivation systems for urban farming.
“It excites me to see some- thing that could be the ‘next big thing’ in the industry – challeng- ing the status quo,” says Mr Al- ston. “There is a lot of interest in agri-tech and a huge wall of mon- ey looking for investment.”
The competition will take
place on 19 June at Agrii’s Throws Farm Technology Centre, Steb- bing. The winner will be select- ed by a judging panel. But the audience of seasoned investors, potential partners, farmers and advisers will also have an oppor- tunity to vote.
“I am encouraged by people
who really understand the indus- try, can get on with it and make it happen,” says Mr Alston. “You have to be able to adapt quickly in this market and get something out there and prove it. And it must be addressing a problem that is real for farmers now.” For details, visit
http://bit.ly/
agritechfi nal
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Photo credit: Silfi eld Ltd
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