Agri-EPI Centre’s Midlands Agri-Tech Innovation Hub has a thriving start-up community with state-of-the-art engineering and agri-tech incubation facilities. Located in the heart of Shropshire in Newport, it is the perfect place for innovators with great ideas to learn new skills that will grow their business.
Harper Adams University, in partnership with the Agri-EPI Centre, are starting a new initiative titled Sustaining Shropshire, that focuses on providing free expert support to entrepreneurs, pre-trade and start-up agri-tech and agri-food businesses in Shropshire. The project is funded by the Shropshire Council through the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund and will run until March 2025.
Agri-EPI Centre, as part of Sustaining Shropshire, will be delivering an eight-week structured start-up programme, based at Agri-EPI’s Midlands Agri-Tech Hub. The programme is designed to upskill entrepreneurs by covering the essential skills and knowledge to develop and refine their business plans including:
- Creating a robust business plan
- Defining the vision and mission
- Developing the unique selling point (USP)
- Understanding the customers and competitors
- Market analysis and positioning
The start-up support programme is set to be delivered as three 8-week programmes, starting 17th January 2024, and will be delivered by a blend of Agri-EPI Centre specialists and industry experts who understand the local and national agri-food supply chain and farming landscape. The project is committed to support a minimum of 30 individuals (eligibility criteria applies) to complete the start-up programme giving them the knowledge and confidence to take the next step to running their own business.
Participants of the support programme will also benefit from the newly opened Innovation Barn, a dedicated hot desk and break out incubation space located at the Midlands Agri-Tech Innovation Hub. The Innovation Barn provides a structured working environment for entrepreneurs and start-ups to be a part of the wider Agri-EPI thriving innovation ecosystem of members and tenants. Users can benefit from meeting pods, internet access, meeting rooms, and networking opportunities. Participants of the start-up programme will gain access to the Innovation Barn offer for a period of 6 months, starting from the start date of the programme, with a £10 daily charge thereafter.
Rose Judeh-Elwell, Agri-EPI Centre’s Business Development Director, said:
“We are delighted to be involved in this project that will make use of our agri-tech incubation facilities and our recently opened Innovation Barn. With an already thriving ecosystem, we look forward to supporting both entrepreneurs as well as more established companies on their journey to accelerating innovation and growth.”
To find out more about the Innovation Barn or register your interest for the support programme, visit the website: https://agri-epicentre.com/innovationbarn/
