Vertical Future features in an article on FarmingUK highlighting how the UK and Europe are leading the way for global agri-tech investments

The UK and Europe are leading the way for global agri-tech investments, having received nearly £81 billion from over 1,700 investors, according to a new report.

6th March 2023 (FarmingUK) – The report has highlighted that global investment in agri-tech is growing, almost doubling to £100 billion between January 2020 and January 2021.

Since 2000 – when worldwide investment stood at less than £1 billion – companies headquartered in the UK and mainland Europe have attracted over 43% of global investment in agri-tech.

These 564 companies have received nearly £81 billion from over 1,700 investors.

The importance of agri-tech has been recognised by the UK government. At a recent conference in the US, Defra Secretary Thérèse Coffey said: “It is through science, innovation and technology that our farming industry will continue to be sustainable.”

Looking at the UK’s ambitions, Innovate UK comes joint top globally for the number of agri-tech companies invested in, tying with Horizon 2020 and SVG Venture-THRIVE.

It is also the number one investor in Europe, highlighting the UK’s impact on the sector.

The report on agri-tech investment was created by IP specialists GovGrant, to discover the global hotspots attracting capital to the sector.

The UK specialises in indoor farming and animal agri-tech, which accounts for around 40%of its investment, whereas in Europe or globally, they make up under 10%.

With significant expertise in these areas, the report says there is ‘great potential’ for UK growth and differentiation in indoor farming and animal agri-tech.

Animal agri-tech concentrates on solutions to monitor, analyse and optimise animal health and production. It also explores animal substitution through alt proteins.

Indoor farming, meanwhile, involves components, systems and growers that are all focused on farming indoors, including tech contributing to vertical farming, aquaponics and hydroponics.

London-based Vertical Future raised the largest-ever series A investment for a European indoor farming company: £21 million, which included participation from SFC Capital.

Read the full article here.

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