Innovation Barn
Ideas that grow into Businesses
Free support to develop your Shropshire based agri-business.
The Sustaining Shropshire project provides FREE expert support to entrepreneurs and SMEs, in Shropshire’s flourishing agri-tech, food and drink, and supply chain sectors, to develop pioneering ideas and boost sustainability.
Led by Harper Adams University, in collaboration with The School of Sustainability, Food, and Farming, and the UK Agri-Tech Centre, this project is funded by the Shropshire Council through the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund until March 2025.
As part of the project, the UK Agri-Tech Centre is delivering free Start-up and Business Growth programmes.
Please note: support from Sustaining Shropshire is only available to entrepreneurs and businesses with a Shropshire postcode.
Embark on your start-up journey:
Apply to our FREE eight week Start-up programme, designed to equip aspiring entrepreneurs with the vital skills and knowledge to turn ideas into successful ventures.*
This programme covers:
- Creating a robust business plan
- Market analysis & positioning
- Knowing your worth
- Building a brand
- Financial management
The sessions are delivered in-person on an evening in small groups by industry experts. They include interactive activities and one-to-one support. Participants are expected to attend all sessions at the Midlands Agri-Tech Innovation Hub (Poultry Drive, Edgmond, TF10 8JZ).
We are now accepting applications to join the Start Up programme in January 2025
Grow your agri-business:
Apply to receive 14 hours of FREE tailored one-to-one support to streamline, refine and grow your business.*
Achieve your business growth aspirations with the guidance of a business consultant who is familiar with the agri-food industry and farming landscape.
Get support in areas such as:
- Elevating your business’ profile
- Accessing new markets
- Funding and investment readiness
- Business MOT – Identifying areas for improvement
Applications are open until January 2025.
* eligibility criteria applies
“This programme has encouraged me to engage with potential customers before I’m ready to make sales. Sorting out my value proposition and my points of difference has been particularly useful, helping me to gain confidence in building my business.”
“Sustaining Shropshire created a fantastic and extremely informative 8 week program for us. It has been really beneficial and i’ve learnt so much in the process! I would definitely recommend everyone to take on the opportunity to come here for their growing business!”
“The course was very helpful, with insights from various points of view who were all experts in the various fields, the course gave us the confidence to believe we could build a successful diversification for our farm building and gave some very good milestones of what we needed to achieve. The group of people we met who were also on the course were really friendly too!”
Why choose us?
- Located in the heart of a vibrant and expanding agri-innovation cluster.
- Be supported by experts in the agri-tech and agricultural sectors.
- FREE access to the Innovation Barn – a dedicated incubation space – and networking opportunities.**
- Gain access to experienced Innovation Specialists for R&D support at Harper Adams University.
**For 6 months upon enrolment of the programme
The Innovation Barn
The Innovation Barn is a dedicated space for pre-trading and start-up agri-tech & agri-food businesses.
Located at the Midlands Agri-Tech Innovation Hub, the Innovation Barn allows entrepreneurs to be a part of the wider UK Agri-Tech Centre thriving innovation ecosystem of members and tenants. With state-of-the-art facilities, this workspace aims to inspire and allow individuals at the start of their start-up journey to turn business ideas into a reality.*
The Innovation Barn provides a structured environment for inspiration and collaboration, where users can access:
- Hot-desk and break out areas
- Ad-hoc meeting pods
- Internet Access
- Meeting rooms for formal discussions and ideation sessions
- Networking opportunities
*Eligibility criteria applies
Apply today and be a part of shaping Shropshire’s agri-tech and agri-food sectorors.
Follow Sustaining Shropshire on:
Sustaining Shropshire is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit the UK government’s website here.
