Agribusiness News November 2023 – Management Matters: Digital Dairy Chain

Transforming the dairy supply chain through Innovation, Growth & Collaboration

Digital Dairy Chain 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.  This is a five-year, UK Research & Innovation funded project, with a budget of £21 million to transform the dairy sector in the region and uplift the rural economy, via grant funding and sustainable solutions.

The project partners will focus on aligning industry needs which will include developing digital connectivity, stimulating research and new product development, supporting business growth and attracting talent and skills, across the region.

There are a number of individual programmes of activity in operation through the Digital Dairy Chain.  These include four tranches of funding and direct business support; the Collaborative R&D Funding Competition, the Milk Round Technology Accelerator, the Space Maker NPD Facilities and Innovation Vouchers. While new dates for the R&D Funding Competition will be announced towards the end of the year, the Milk Round Technology Accelerator programme and the newly launched Cumbria Maker Space (open to those based in South West Scotland as well as Cumbria) are accepting applications on an ongoing basis.  The Cumbria Maker Space project allows producers to move from small scale ‘ kitchen creations’ into commercially viable production, with fully funded training and business support provided.

Innovation Vouchers of up to £10k are available to encourage businesses to create innovative solutions to the challenges faced by the dairy industry. The deadline for the next wave of Innovation Voucher funding is the 16th November 2023.  For more information contact info@digitaldairychain.co.uk