About the LEAP Programme 

Are you at the start of your entrepreneurial journey? Do you want to innovate in food or animal feed?

The LEAP Programme will support visionary projects, inspired by Dick Lawes and his experiences, that push the boundaries of our food systems. We’re looking for ambitious UK-wide entrepreneurs and very early stage enterprises to provide up to £50,000 of support.

Our goal is to help you achieve proof of concept, foster collaborations, and bring innovative products or services to market.

What We Offer

Successful applicants will receive a comprehensive package of support, including:

• Grant Funding: Receive between £30,000 and £50,000 to drive your project forward - no match funding required.
• Technical Support: Collaboration with AberInnovation for access to state-of-the-art facilities, equipment, and expert technicians. You’ll also benefit from consultancy with leading university academics and experts at UK innovation centres.
• Resources & Equipment: Get the consumable supplies you need, from laboratory reagents to specialised software, and invest in small capital equipment that’s critical to your success.
• Mentoring: Tap into a wealth of experience with tailored mentoring to guide your project from concept to execution.

Outcomes We Aim to Achieve

The LEAP Programme is not just about funding—it's about impact. Here’s what we aim to achieve through your participation:

• Entrepreneurship: Help early-stage ideas materialise into validated projects.
• Tangible Impact: Empower recipients to make a real difference to your ambitions.
• Collaboration: Foster a network of innovators, encouraging collaboration among participants.
• Further Investment: Position your project for additional funding and investment within 12 months of completion.
• Commercialisation: Support the start of new business ventures and the planning to launch new products or services.
• IP Protection: Support entrepreneurs in fully protecting and understanding their IP.

Why Apply?

Our programme is designed to be impactful, ensuring that your project has the best chance to succeed and scale.

A virtual briefing event will be held on Wednesday 11th September at 12pm for potential applicants interested in finding out more about the competition. Register here.

Ready to LEAP?

Apply now!