Application are open for the second Farm491 Challenge
Farm491 at the RAU have announced the launch of their second Farm491 Challenge, a competition series aimed to encourage and support companies fostering innovation in our natural world.
Generously supported by Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, this three-year series enables companies, which are developing innovative ways to solve challenges in the natural world, to invest in their business and develop their product. The winners and runners up will be awarded a cash prize and mentoring programme from Farm491.
The Challenge
For the second year of the Farm491 Challenge Prize series, the challenge is ‘Mixed Land Use’.
Land is under unprecedented pressure in the UK and globally, to make space for carbon sequestration, biodiversity, food and energy production, and housing. One of the solutions to these issues is to stack land uses by finding synergies that mitigate this resource competition. The competition is looking for companies developing innovative products and services that support nature friendly, multifunctional land use.
These could include (but are not limited to) products and services that enable:
- Agroforestry
- Regenerative and productive housing development
- Intercropping food and non-food crops
- Co-producing food and renewables
Application
Each team or individual must complete an application form showing how and why they believe their innovation meets the criteria for the prize.
The Challenge is open to anyone who meets the Eligibility Criteria below. Entries are welcome from those companies working within the land-based sector already but also from those companies outside of the sector who can demonstrate an alternative use for existing technologies in other sectors.
Eligibility Criteria
Companies entering this Challenge must:
- Be a UK registered company which is up to 7 years old.
- Be operating, or intending to operate, in the land-based sector.
- Have a working prototype or fully developed product/service model.
- Be able to evidence reasonable demand for your product or service in its intended market.
- Be able to demonstrate how the challenge prize fund would advance your organisation to its next stage.
Call for applications
Applications should be made via the form below no later than 23 October 2025.
Shortlisting
After consideration by a preliminary judging panel, a shortlist of six companies will be chosen. Entrants will be informed as to whether they have been successful in the shortlisting process no later than 31 October 2025.
Pitching practice
Finalists will be invited to attend an online workshop on 11 November 2025, led by expert business advisors which will focus on how to develop a strong pitch, specifically focusing on the company’s vision and why their solution is unique. The workshop will also explore key pitch metrics, such as market size and opportunities to scale.
Final judging and awards
On 12 December 2025 finalists will pitch their company or idea to a panel of judges at the Alliston Centre on the Royal Agricultural University campus.
An overall winner will be selected and awarded a £40,000 cash prize, plus 12 months mentoring and business support from Farm491. The runner-up will receive £20,000, plus 12 months mentoring and support from Farm491.
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