The UK Agri-Tech Centre has
announced new access to fast-track support for UK agri-tech
start-ups and scale-ups as it sets out its priorities and focus
to accelerate their commercial success.
At a reception at the House of Lords on 3 February 2026, incoming
CEO Steve McLean, who joins the UK Agri-Tech Centre from his
position as Marks & Spencer's Head of Agriculture &
Fisheries Sourcing, outlined plans to build a vibrant UK
agri-tech sector that boosts agricultural resilience and
sustainability.
The move will provide critical de-risking for investors by
ensuring technologies are market-ready, fit for purpose and
commercially viable.
The UK Agri-Tech Centre will deliver this through access to
resources that allow ventures to test, validate and
demonstrate their ideas, proof-of-concept, and return on
investment in real-world commercial and farming environments.
By brokering strong industry and supply chain
connections focused on driving adoption at scale, the UK
Agri-Tech Centre helps bring the best of UK agri-tech innovation
to commercial application.
Steve McLean, CEO, UK Agri-Tech Centre comments: “As we enter a
new technological era driven by data, automation, robotics and
AI, the agri-tech sector is poised for growth.
“The recognition of agri-tech as a Frontier Sector in the
Government's 10-year Modern Industrial Strategy elevates its
importance across the economy, and sets our context and our
purpose.
“Our goal is clear: to make the UK one of the world's most
successful environments for agri‑tech innovation, attracting and
growing the most capable, impactful ventures.
“We will support the agri-tech sector in achieving its full
potential by accelerating the commercialisation and scale-up of
UK agri-tech ventures, by enabling access to advice, connection
and capabilities.
“Our role in supporting agri-tech ventures on their growth path
will support them in achieving commercial success with viable
businesses.
“Combining my commercial background from one of the UK's largest
retailers with experience from across the entire agri value chain
consolidates our strategic position in supporting ventures in
this high potential sector.”
The UK Agri-Tech Centre has, to date, supported more than 300
agri-tech businesses across the UK with a clear plan to provide
business support, test, trial and demonstration capabilities, and
wider agri-tech sector support to address barriers to innovation,
investment challenges and scaling internationally.
This support will focus on priority technologies in the
Government's 10-year Modern Industrial Strategy:
robotics and automation; advanced sensors; data and AI;
controlled environment agriculture and engineering biology.
The House of Lords reception is a highlight of the UK Agri-Tech
Centre's Growth Week, designed to help agri-tech ventures tackle
barriers to growth, and showcase the success stories of the
businesses supported by the UK Agri-Tech Centre.
Exciting opportunities for agri-tech ventures launching in
February include an Agri-Tech Solution Sprint – which is focused
on providing one-to-one support to overcome technical and
commercial challenges, and a Global Growth Accelerator – helping
UK ventures scale by validating their technology in international
markets, starting with New Zealand.
For more information visit UK Agri-Tech Centre.
