Hartpury University and Hartpury College’s Tech Box Park has introduced a range of new membership opportunities at its dedicated workspaces. From an affordable £20 day pass to virtual and comprehensive resident memberships starting at just £75 per month, the Tech Box Park is revolutionising access to innovation.
The Tech Box Park, conveniently located within Hartpury’s 360-hectare campus just five miles from Gloucester, empowers businesses to find solutions to real-world challenges in the agricultural and land-based industries. Its suite of membership options and services includes dedicated research and testing spaces, access to Hartpury's commercial farm, and an extensive network of industry contacts and knowledge exchange partners.
To date, the facility has welcomed and supported over 30 entrepreneurs, ambitious start-ups, and established companies, with members leveraging their diverse expertise in smart technology, cybersecurity, pharmaceutical, energy, defence, manufacturing, and transport sectors to better understand the needs of the farming community and seek out smart, profitable, and sustainable solutions for businesses working across the agricultural sector.
Bruce Bodio, CEO, BioViron International and Tech Box Member said: “The potential to develop something ground-breaking here is real. We’ve always seen the potential for our products within the agricultural market, but never thought we’d find a partner so agreeable. Joining the Tech Box has given us the opportunity to tap into the minds of farmers and estate managers and see where our materials could work well.”
From enabling a social enterprise to create a test bed for trailing hemp derivatives in animal bedding to showcasing the world’s most innovative anti-theft solution for agricultural machinery and testing 100% plant-based compostable packaging on hay bales – the Tech Box Park has provided an invaluable space and place for innovative thinking.
Catherine Briggs, Tech Box Park Centre Manager said: “With the largest and fastest growing network of agri-tech SMEs to work with, it’s an exciting time to be working in Gloucestershire. We've already supported 14 companies in testing groundbreaking products, resulting in 10 successful market introductions. By bridging the gap between agriculture and SMEs, the Tech Box Park has fostered education, sparked conversations, and unlocked a world of possibilities for business growth."
The facility demonstrates Hartpury’s ongoing commitment to shaping the future of digital farming and the next phase of its 10-year strategic vision to provide world-class agricultural facilities, education, and research. Earlier this year, Hartpury unveiled a state-of-the-art Digital Studio, giving industry and students access to the latest in agri-technology and precision smart farming simulation. The studio allows for safe participation in agricultural tasks and experiences using virtual and augmented realities. Hartpury has also unveiled that it will introduce three agriculture T Levels in 2024, using government funding to further upgrade facilities and purchase specialist equipment.
Join the agricultural innovation movement at the Tech Box Park today and be part of a brighter, more sustainable future.
Sign up for your free workspace trial day by emailing techboxpark@hartpury.ac.uk or find out more here.
