Global Growth Accelerator 2026.
Bringing UK‑developed agtech innovations to Australasia through our partnership with the UK Agri‑Tech Centre.
Bridging UK Innovation with New Zealand Farms
Farm Innovation Network (FIN) is partnering with the UK Agri-Tech Centre (UKATC), supported by Agnition and AgritechNZ, to deliver the Global Growth Accelerator – in New Zealand.
Programme overview
The Global Growth Accelerator – Australasia programme will bring a select group of UK dairy and livestock innovators into New Zealand for structured, real-world pilot trials through FIN’s network of progressive farms.
This is a direct innovation bridge between the UK and New Zealand, connecting global R&D investment with commercial New Zealand farm systems.
New Zealand provides one of the most commercially rigorous environments in the world for pasture-based dairy and livestock innovation.
Our counter-seasonal production cycle creates a natural advantage when paired with the UK. While one market moves into winter, the other enters peak production. This alignment enables technologies to be tested, refined and redeployed without losing seasonal momentum, shortening development timelines and accelerating global readiness.
Combined with efficient pasture systems, strong system alignment between UK and NZ farming models, and a track record of practical innovation, New Zealand offers a credible proving ground for technologies targeting productivity, emissions, animal health and operational resilience.
Farm Innovation Network is responsible for programme delivery in New Zealand.
FIN recruits and matches pilot farms, structures and manages trial frameworks, supports farmers and innovators, and ensures farmer experience remains central throughout deployment.
Technologies are not simply demonstrated. They are validated within real commercial farm systems under defined trial parameters, with independent oversight and structured outcomes.
FIN acts as the innovation bridge, translating global agtech development into credible, locally grounded validation.
Participating farms gain early access to internationally backed technologies designed to address real system pressures, from emissions and compliance to labour efficiency, animal health and productivity.
These are structured pilots supported by a defined programme framework, not speculative product testing. Innovators are selected through a competitive UK process and supported through coordinated delivery in New Zealand.
Farmers involved in the programme are not passive trial sites. They contribute directly to shaping technologies that may influence global food production systems, while gaining access to new tech before anyone else in NZ.
Beyond individual pilot trials, the Global Growth Accelerator establishes a long-term collaboration between the UK and New Zealand.
The programme strengthens knowledge exchange, talent movement and commercial pathways between two advanced pasture-based farming nations. It channels international R&D capital into local validation while laying the groundwork for future two-way technology and expertise exchange.
This is more than a single cohort of pilots. It is the foundation of an ongoing innovation corridor between the UK and New Zealand.
How the programme works
The Global Growth Accelerator is designed as a structured, time-bound validation programme.
UK-based dairy and livestock innovators apply through the UK Agri-Tech Centre. Following assessment, three to four technologies will be selected for the Australasia cohort based on relevance to pasture-based farming systems and commercial readiness.
Farm Innovation Network will then recruit and match suitable New Zealand pilot farms aligned to trial requirements. Each pilot will operate within a defined framework, with agreed objectives, measurement criteria and reporting oversight.
The selected UK technologies have already been proven in real-world conditions and have reached both R&D and commercial maturity in the UK. That means the pilot farms can access high-quality global innovation with significantly lower technical risk than early-stage trials. These programmes are focused on adapting proven solutions to local conditions, so they can deliver immediate value and work effectively within NZ’s pasture-based farming systems.
Trials will be deployed and managed through FIN to ensure clarity, rigour and meaningful on-farm outcomes.
As the cohort is confirmed, further programme details, including potential industry briefings and engagement opportunities will be released.
Become a pilot farm
Help validate the next generation of agtech in New Zealand.
FIN is now inviting expressions of interest from progressive dairy and livestock farms interested in hosting a Global Growth Accelerator pilot.
We are seeking farms that are open to structured innovation trials and interested in early access to emerging technologies. While initial activity is expected to centre in Waikato and similar dairy regions, expressions of interest are welcomed from aligned systems across New Zealand.
Participating farms will receive structured trial support through FIN and direct engagement with selected innovators throughout the validation process.
If you are interested in contributing to global agtech validation while positioning your farm at the forefront of innovation, we invite you to register your interest below.
Latest pilots from UKATC
Coming soon in early May 2026