• SHIFT launches third and final round of £1.47m innovation programme to support London SMEs addressing the climate emergency
• The last of three open innovation challenges focuses on food - from growing to production and healthy eating
• Successful bids will win up to £25,000 funding along with access to support, expertise, networks, and dedicated workspace, on and around Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
• The two-year programme is part-funded by £1.47m from the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund
• The Future Industries Demonstrator Programme to invest in and support 215 London-based SMEs dedicated to tackling the climate crisis
• Applicants can apply here

SHIFT, east London’s innovation agency based at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, has launched the third and final round of funding for the Future Industries Demonstrator Programme (FID) focused on food systems. The latest round will provide £25,000 in financial backing, coupled with access to valuable support to scale-up, networking and dedicated workspace .

Pioneering start-ups and SMEs have until September 8 to submit their bids for food systems solutions. Bids can be made for a wide range of issues such as innovative growing models, access and skills development, waste reduction, sustainable production and healthy eating.

The FID has received £1.47m from the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to address the urgent challenges posed by the climate emergency, and to support and scale London-based SMEs in their development of sustainable solutions.

SHIFT is collaborating with experts from innovation company Plexal, University College London, and Hackney Wick Fish Island Community Development Trust to provide holistic support to successful applicants, including 1:1 coaching from a circular business specialist, and access to The Loop, east London’s new hub for circular economy businesses.

Abdul Rahim, the Chief Innovation Officer of SHIFT, said: “London, and east London in particular, is renowned for its wide range of SMEs and start-ups focused on food systems and we expect a very strong response to our latest funding round.

“With our funding and support networks in place, we are confident that we can help these pioneering firms scale-up to deliver major and beneficial changes to the way we manage our food systems.”

Applicants can find out more information here, and join our Application Guidance webinar. They can also book one-to-one application guidance slots with the Programme team here.

SMEs can also sign up to join SHIFT’s Membership ecosystem of 100+ innovative organisations to get access to exclusive benefits and to stay updated with all the latest information about the Future Industries Demonstrator Programme.