Hartpury University participated in the High Growth AI Accelerator Showcase for Innovate UK BridgeAI, held on Thursday 4 December 2025 at Digital Catapult, London. The event celebrated cutting-edge AI and machine learning solutions developed by ten innovators in the agrifood sector, addressing real-world challenges set by ‘industry challenge owners’ including Hartpury’s Digital Innovation Farm, Dale Farm, Nestlé, and Peacock Technology.
The event brought together a diverse audience, emphasising non-technical attendees to ensure accessibility and engagement. Key groups included AI startups from the accelerator cohort, agrifood industry stakeholders such as organisations, technology partners, and government representatives, as well as investors and players from the innovation ecosystem. Hartpury helped Wilder Sensing and Carbon Rewild continue their development of bioacoustics monitoring of birds, and Crop Intellect with their R-Leaf® technology that captures atmospheric nitrogen and converts it to plant feed.
Representing Hartpury University, Professor Matt Bell, joined the panel discussion titled "Rethinking Efficiency and Sustainability through Deep Technology in the Agrifood Sector." Alongside industry leaders, Professor Bell shared insights on how deep technology startups can add value to the research-practice loop at Hartpury University and Hartpury College, which uniquely combines academic research with a live farm environment. He highlighted the importance of collaboration between academia and startups in driving innovation and sustainability in agriculture.
Lucy Garrett, Ecologist and Lecturer in Zoology and Conservation Biology at Hartpury University, attended the event to support the university’s involvement in the programme and engage with industry stakeholders, investors, and innovators. The event provided a platform to showcase Hartpury’s commitment to advancing sustainable agricultural practices through research and technology.
Professor Bell said: "At Hartpury, we are committed to bridging the gap between academic research and practical application in agriculture. Events like the High Growth AI Accelerator Showcase highlight the transformative potential of deep technology in driving efficiency, sustainability, and resilience across the agrifood sector. Collaborating with innovative startups allows us to explore new solutions that can make a real difference on the ground, benefiting farmers, the environment, and the wider community."
The High Growth AI Accelerator programme, delivered by Innovate UK BridgeAI, aims to empower UK businesses in high-growth sectors by fostering user-driven AI technologies. With a focus on ethics, transparency, and data privacy, the programme bridges the gap between developers and end-users, promoting responsible innovation and strengthening AI leadership.
