UK Agritech Innovators Heading To New Zealand To Road-Test The Future Of Farming

Auckland, NZ_Six UK agritech innovators developing technologies spanning AI-enabled livestock systems, digital-twin carbon tracking, circular agriculture, sustainable horticulture and on-farm energy generation are heading to New Zealand in 2026 as part of the Innovate UK Global Incubator Programme (GIP), creating new opportunities for local industry, investors and research institutions to collaborate on the future of food and farming as they seek to cement investment, partnerships, pilots and research collaborations.

The visit marks the first time the programme has been delivered in New Zealand. Innovate UK is partnering with Sprout Agritech, New Zealand’s leading agritech accelerator and investor, and reflects a growing momentum behind international collaboration to solve shared challenges across the agrifood value chain.

Why it matters for New Zealand industry and researchers

The six selected companies bring cutting-edge solutions spanning nutrient management and circular agriculture, livestock housing and animal welfare, sustainable horticulture, crop resilience, on-farm energy generation and supply chain emissions verification. They are coming to New Zealand specifically to road-test their technologies in real-world conditions, find industry partners, and explore pathways to market entry. For New Zealand companies, investors and research institutions, this is a direct pipeline to innovation that may otherwise take years to arrive here.

Sprout Agritech CEO Sandhya Sriram says the programme is a genuine two-way opportunity.

"When I joined Sprout, I was clear about one thing: the biggest problems in our food system won't be solved by any one country working alone,” she says.

“New Zealand is one of the most sophisticated agricultural markets in the world - diverse conditions, world-class science, and industry partners who understand what it takes to scale globally. Partnering with Innovate UK to bring their best agritech companies here is a signal that the international innovation community sees New Zealand as a co-creator of solutions the world needs."

Delivered over six months, the programme includes two intensive in-market visits in June and October 2026. The June visit coincides with Fieldays, the Southern Hemisphere’s largest agricultural event, where the cohort will be available to meet with prospective partners.

Curated field visits, workshops and one-on-one industry introductions are also planned throughout the programme.

"Our partnership with Sprout as part of the Innovate UK Global Incubator Programme gives UK businesses a genuine opportunity to understand the New Zealand market from the inside, and to build collaborations that will help them innovate, scale and grow internationally," Jon Hazell, Innovate UK Partnership Manager - Global Incubator Programme.

Two of the world's more dynamic agritech sectors are about to make a closer connection. New Zealand's food and fibre sector generates NZD $59.9B in annual export revenue, accounting for around 80% of total goods exports and contributing 10% of GDP. The UK brings a different kind of scale: more than 1,200 agritech businesses generating £13.1B in turnover and employing over 25,000 people in high-skilled roles, making it Europe's leading destination for agritech venture capital investment.

UK Agriculture Counsellor for Australia & New Zealand, based out of the British Consulate General Sydney, David Thompson officially welcomed the successful cohort to the 2026 New Zealand Innovate UK Global Incubator Programme (GIP) during the Kick-Off Introduction call held online last night.

“The UK agritech sector has experienced rapid and sustained growth over the past decade, expanding approximately forty-fold,” he said.

“We are excited to support collaborations between these two countries with deep ties and a shared ambition to produce food more sustainably and efficiently. Both nations bring exceptional science bases and a genuine commitment to solving the hardest problems in agriculture.”

Sprout’s networks span the country’s major industry players - including Fonterra, Gallagher, LIC, T&G Global, Silver Fern Farms and Zespri - as well as its eight public universities and Public Research Institutions, along with a strategic partnership with AGMARDT and agency partners CEDA and MBIE, giving the cohort access to world-class expertise across the primary sector.

The 2026 cohort includes:

• Cleobury Project Management - converts agricultural waste streams like slurry into nutrient-standardised fertiliser powders.
• Galebreaker Ltd - optimises controlled-environment livestock housing combining automated ventilation, sensing and AI optimisation.
• GyroPlant Ltd - developed a reusable plant-support system replacing single-use growing media in hydroponic systems.
• HiFe Plants - developing non-GM high-iron pea varieties for functional food ingredients and supplements.
• Polysolar Ltd - developed lightweight flexible solar PV designed for polytunnels and protected cropping.
• x10NI Ltd - providing a digital-twin and MRV platform measuring carbon and nutrient flows across livestock supply chains.

Get involved

Industry partners, researchers and investors interested in meeting with the cohort during the June or October visits are encouraged to register their interest with Sprout Agritech at info@sproutagritech.com.

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About Innovate UK

Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, is the UK’s innovation agency. It works to create a better future by inspiring, involving and investing in businesses developing life-changing innovations. Its mission is to help companies to grow through their development and commercialisation of new products, processes and services, supported by an outstanding innovation ecosystem that is agile, inclusive and easy to navigate.

www.ukri.org/councils/innovate-uk/

About Sprout Agritech

Sprout is New Zealand’s leading accelerator and investor in the agrifood value chain. Established in 2015, Sprout has developed the capability of more than 260 entrepreneurs, with an Alumni of 148 ventures who have raised over $127million and holds an investment portfolio of 14 companies.

www.sproutagritech.com

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