Farm491, the innovation hub of the Royal Agricultural University, has announced the launch of its 2025 Farm491 Challenge, supported by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, to promote inventive solutions for sustainable and multifunctional land use across the UK.
Now in its second year, the competition is themed ‘Mixed Land Use’, reflecting growing concerns over how to balance the competing demands on land for food production, housing, carbon capture, biodiversity, and renewable energy.
The initiative is designed to back early-stage companies developing innovative, nature-friendly products and services that address these issues.
The Farm491 Challenge aims to inspire companies to develop practical, scalable tools that help make better use of limited land resources.
Eligible projects might explore areas such as agroforestry, regenerative and productive housing, intercropping of food and non-food crops, or co-production of food and renewable energy.
Applications are open until 23 October 2025, with shortlisted entries announced by 31 October. Six companies will move forward to the next phase, receiving guidance on refining their business pitches through an online workshop on 11 November.
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Finalists will present their ideas before a judging panel at the Royal Agricultural University’s Alliston Centre on 12 December 2025. The overall winner will receive £40,000 in cash alongside 12 months of mentoring and business support from Farm491. A runner-up will take home £20,000 and a similar year-long mentorship package.
To qualify, applicants must be UK-registered companies no older than seven years, operating or intending to operate within the land-based sector.
They must also have a working prototype or developed service model and demonstrate clear market potential.
Farm491 emphasised that the competition welcomes entries from both within and outside the agricultural sector — especially those proposing creative uses of existing technologies to address land-based challenges.
