UK tech accelerator Digital Catapult has launched a new programme bringing together nine AI-first startups to tackle challenges within the agrifood sector.
Delivered as part of the Innovate UK BridgeAI programme, the initiative connects early-stage firms with industry leaders such as Nestlé, Dale Farm, Hartpury Digital Innovation Farm and Peacock Technology.
The partners have defined challenges ranging from dairy forecasting and disease detection to biodiversity monitoring and digital supply chain resilience.
The High Growth AI Accelerator, which is part of the BridgeAI programme, has already facilitated £2.4mn in private and public investment within one year of participation.
With agrifood contributing £14.5bn to the UK economy, organisers say the programme will help businesses modernise operations, strengthen resilience and address environmental pressures.
Startups in the cohort include Rubik, which is trialling its Data Mule platform to forecast milk volumes; Barefoot Lightning, developing a feed optimisation tool; and FISCROP, creating a disease management modelling system.
Others are advancing biodiversity monitoring, cocoa disease detection in West Africa and AI-enabled environmental assessments.
Jessica Rushworth, chief partnerships officer at Digital Catapult, said the collaboration will help the sector adapt to volatile yields and climate challenges.
“Critical to the continued success of this programme is effective collaboration and partnership, and we’re excited to partner with industry leaders like Nestlé and Dale Farm to jointly demonstrate how AI can help to solve some of the sector’s most significant challenges,” she said.
Sara El-Hanfy, director of AI and digital at Innovate UK, added: “By supporting AI-first startups through the BridgeAI programme, we are giving them the tools, partnerships and confidence to transform bold ideas into scalable solutions.”
A showcase event will be held at the end of the 14-week programme.
