Dragon's Den for farmers: £20m up for grabs for new agricultural businesses

Agricultural business and farmers can pitch their idea in the den (Photo: Briefing Media)
Agricultural business and farmers can pitch their idea in the den (Photo: Briefing Media)

A new Dragon's Den-style competition is being launched solely for those with a bright idea that will help the agricultural industry.

The competition, which is open now for entries, invites anyone with a ground-breaking agricultural business idea to pitch Dragon’s Den-style for a share of the investment prize fund, in exchange for a stake in their business.

In addition, there is a guaranteed Briefing Media promotional package worth £5k for every finalist, as well as on-going help and business support. Closing date for entries is July 7, 2017.

Briefing Media Ltd has announced there is now more than £20 million of funding available for new businesses through its Agri-Innovation Den competition.

£20m venture capital fund

Launched in 2015, in association with Co-op Food, Agri-Innovation Den has been significantly strengthened this week by bringing on board the Mulberry Green Fund as a second partner.

The Mulberry Green Fund is a £20m venture capital fund investing in early and growth-stage companies in the green-tech and agri-tech sectors.

It invests in UK-based companies which are undervalued in the domestic market but have the potential to grow substantially overseas. It typically makes individual investments of between £250k-£1m.

'Showcase talent'

Briefing Media chief executive, Neil Thackray says: “It’s fantastic to have the Mulberry Green Fund on board.

“It makes Agri-Innovation Den an even better opportunity for UK farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs to be able to showcase their talents and gain help and funding to move their businesses forward.”

Those shortlisted will be invited to an interview and finalists will pitch to our expert panel in September. Returning to judge in the den this year will be: Neil Thackray, chief executive of Briefing Media; Emma Penny, Briefing Media group editor and Will Jackson, agricultural development manager for Co-Op Food. New to the den for 2017 will be: James Griffiths, Mulberry Green Fund chief investment officer and Phil Latham, Cheshire farmer.