10109919Cluster Management for the agri-tech and food-tech innovation cluster in Eastern EnglandActiveLaunchpadInnovate UKThe Eastern England Agri-tech and food technology cluster is of high importance to the UK food chain. The cluster, formed of Greater Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, is responsible for producing 33% of England's crops. That's includes 96% of sugar beet, 57% of vegetables and 45% of potatoes. The area is also responsible for processing 60% of England's seafood. As well as the sheer quantity of food being produced, the sector provides 150,000 jobs across the region's agri-food chain, including food manufacturing and processing. The region has an emerging agri-tech and food-tech innovation cluster, demonstrated by the award of the £7.5 million Launchpad fund to further accelerate innovation, increase levels of collaboration and to really drive the development of Eastern England as an innovation cluster. This project will support the development of Eastern England's Agri-Tech and Food-Tech Cluster utilising the consortium partners' key relationships across the agri-food chain and the entire innovation ecosystem, ensuring all key sub-sectors and themes are supported. This will help our industry stakeholders, academic partners, tech creators and importantly link up with the investment community, where we have strong relationships, to showcase the opportunities this will deliver. In addition, we have expertise in the provision of business support to local communities so we can support the business community on bidding for and accessing innovation grant funding, and how best to form consortia with academic partners.