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Business Innovation challenge useful resources

Useful templates and tools for business planning

If you're looking for help with planning your competition submission or want inspiration and information to start a new business, please check out some useful links below to further resources.

Considerations when making a plan

Useful prompts to help you when planning a farm or business project.

  • Consider how you might engage with your team, take a system approach and how this would be implemented into the current business and how you would evaluate your progress.  (Same rule 
  • Consider training needs for you (and your team), continuous professional development (CPD) and awareness of TIAH’s tools and skills for farming and growing businesses
  • Consider how you would collaborate with wider industry partners as well as your team, communicate, mentor and lead your team or make plans to do so when your business is established. 
  • Don’t forget to have an understanding of actual regulatory requirements (and consider improvements for the future), costings, borrowings, your end goal and explore useful links for policy updates and organisations that may support your ideas.   
  • Consider revenue – this includes all the income generated from (farm/business) operations, such as (crop/livestock/products) sales, and any other farm/business-related activities. It’s crucial to have a clear understanding of your revenue streams to plan effectively. 
  • Consider costs, such as the expenses incurred in running the farm or alternative business, including fixed costs (eg land lease, property taxes) and variable costs (eg inputs and labour). Keeping track of these costs helps in budgeting and financial planning. 
  • Consider capital - this refers to the funds available for investment in the farm or business. It can come from various sources, including personal savings, loans, grants, and investments. Proper capital management ensures you have the necessary resources to maintain and grow your farm or business. 
  • Check your Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)  – Key performance indicators (KPIs) are measurable metrics used to assess farm/business efficiency, productivity, and profitability, such as crop yield, input costs, labour efficiency, and environmental impact.  You can make your own statement of requirements for your business idea. 

Useful case studies

Working Woodlands  

Working Woodlands Cornwall CIC, Regenerative Forestry Specialists. Creating a thriving woodland sector for Cornwall. 

Cornish Cutting Garden. Watch a video School for Sustainable Enterprise made with founder Clare Webb.   

Cornish Apple Project. The Cornish Apple Project has been set up to stop the wastage of beautiful Cornish apples that swell with pride every autumn. We take neglected fruit and transform them into sweet juice and yummy cider. 

Useful templates and tools for business planning 

AgriTech Comparison Tool

Statement of requirements for your business idea.

Seven steps for implementing agri-tech

TIAH Technology Risk Assessment Template

Worksheet - Farm needs assessment

Worksheet - Business objectives

Staff needs and information for their management, support and training – see AgriTech’s Training Needs Analysis Template.

NFYFC Agricultural Knowledge Hub and the Smart Farming Guide for reference to a range of business advice, organisations, guides and innovation.

School for Social Entrepreneurs

Stay up to date with grants, funding opportunities, policy changes – subscribe to the Defra blogs and check out government department information and support.

Listen to Business Opportunities for young farmers and new entrants and Business Opportunities for young farmers and new entrants and take part in a Vision House exercise.

Accounting

Whether you’re planning a Not-for-Profit, SME or farm project, make sure you find out everything you need to know about managing accounts and tax planning. Watch this bespoke webinar devised for young farmers and the next generation from accountants Burgess and Bullock. (Insert webinar link when ready)

ADOPT

ADOPT (Accelerating Development of Practices and Technologies) is a funding competition designed to support farmer-led, on-farm trials and experiments. Funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and delivered by Innovate UK, it aims to generate, test, and demonstrate innovative solutions to challenges in agriculture, horticulture, and forestry.

There are two types of ADOPT funding available:

Facilitator Support Grant: Provides £2,500 for a Project Facilitator to support with submissions into the Full ADOPT Grant competitions

Full ADOPT Grant to support projects with costs of between £50,000 to £100,000

Agricultural and Landlord Code of Practice for England

A voluntary Code for all parties to tenancies (that is, landlords and tenants) and their advisers, giving guidance as to approach, conduct and behaviour. It looks to support good relationships and help where difficulties arise. Intended to improve practice, it does not change the law or alter any contract and recognises that professionals work within clients’ instructions.

Business Modles to Unlock Future Farming Potential

Advice on business models that could improve farm productivity and profitability.

Agri-Tech Centre

According to the 'Innovation and Technology: A farmer's perspective' report 2025, the biggest priorities for farmers are improving productivity, saving time and reducing workload. You can download this report plus others from the UK Agri-Tech Centre's reports and brochures web page, here.

The UK Agri-Tech Centre actively encourages these connections through its network of collaborators, see: The future of UK Agri-Tech.

AgriTech-e

Agri-TechE attracts members from across the agri-food value chain and articulates challenges, explores cutting-edge research, and seeks innovations to support businesses. As a member you can gain valuable insights from industry peers and experts, actively contribute to solutions, and participate in a vibrant network.

AHDB Precision Farming Glossary

Precision farming technology and practices - acronyms, buzzwords and jargon.

BASIS

BASIS in a charitable organisation committed to raising professional standards across land management and food production by supporting people and businesses with industry leading qualifications, professional registers and auditing schemes.

DigitalDairyChain

Offers any business or individual involved in the dairy supply chain across Cumbria, South and West Scotland a range of services to support innovation and productivity through collaboration.

Get help and support for your business

Access free, impartial services that can help you find opportunities and meet business challenges

Legal Planning for AgriTech Businesses in England and Wales

Navigating the intricate legal landscape is crucial for ensuring sustainable growth and protecting your venture.

Southwest AgriTech

World-class technology supporting efficiency and innovation in the celebrated Southwest livestock farming, aquaculture and food industries.

The Business Finance Guide

This independent guide provides entrepreneurs, SMEs and growing businesses with information on the finance options that are available to them throughout their business finance journey. It draws on the expertise of partners from across the finance industry and business community.

The School for Social Entrepreneurs

Established in 1997, the School for Social Entrepreneurs run courses that equip people to start, scale and strengthen organisations that make a positive difference. But we’re not a traditional school. Learning with SSE is inspiring, action-based and accessible. We support people in other ways too, such as funding and mentoring.

School for Sustainable Food and Farming

Securing a sustainable and profitable farming and food system through educating, inspiring and empowering current and future farmers to work towards reducing emissions, enhancing nature and developing more climate-friendly businesses.

TIAH

If you own or work in an agriculture or horticulture business, TIAH provides tailored advice, and the practical tools needed to help you develop skills and lifelong learning.

Virgin Money - What is the Agri E Fund?

The fund provides lending to support farmers adapting to environmental changes and is specifically designed for UK farmers.

Virgin Mondy offers 0% arrangement fees when a farmer completes a carbon audit and is borrowing over £50k to invest in emission reducing initiatives, like renewable energy, energy efficiency initiatives or activities that reduce greenhouse gases.

Alongside the Agri E Fund, Virgin Money has partnered with Carbon Metrics, a consultancy who aim to help rural businesses understand emissions management, to produce a net zero report. The report is designed to help farmers understand the background to climate change, what it means for the industry and how they can start to adapt their businesses to meet the challenge.

SmartFarmTech

Smart agriculture leverages advanced technologies such as IoT, AI, and automation to optimize farming practices. It enables farmers to make data-driven decisions that enhance crop yields, reduce resource consumption, and promote environmental sustainability.

Thank you to Defra for supporting the Business Innovation Challenge.