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Defra

Europe, England, United Kingdom, London

Description

Defra is the UK government department responsible for policy and regulations on environmental, food and rural issues.

Investor Profile

Defra has backed more than 8 startups, with 4 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 6 rounds, about 75% of its total and boasts 0 exits across its portfolio.

Investment Focus Highlights

  • Concentrates on Grant rounds (top funding stages).
  • Majority of deals are located in United Kingdom, United States.
  • Strong thematic focus on Farming, AgTech, Robotics.
  • Led 3 rounds in the past year.

Stage Focus

  • Grant (100%)

Country Focus

  • United Kingdom (88%)
  • United States (13%)

Industry Focus

  • Farming
  • Agtech
  • Robotics
  • Food And Beverage
  • E-learning
  • Education
  • Universities
  • Organic
  • Association
  • News
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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn who this investor regularly partners with—both firms and angels—and explore their latest activity.

Who does Defra frequently co-invest with?

Innovate UK
Europe, Wiltshire, United Kingdom, Swindon
Co-Investments: 2
UK Research and Innovation
Europe, Wiltshire, United Kingdom, Swindon
Co-Investments: 2

What are some of recent deals done by Defra?

City Harvest

Long Island City, New York, United States

City Harvest is an food rescue organization that collects discarded food from restaurants and distributes it to the needy.

Food and BeverageTravel
GrantJun 10, 2025
Amount Raised: $408,965
City Harvest London

London, England, United Kingdom

City Harvest London is a non profit organization that provides solution to surplus food and food poverty.

CharityNon ProfitSocial
GrantJun 10, 2025
Amount Raised: $408,965
CroBio

Alderley Park, Cheshire, United Kingdom

Enhanced microbes for sustainable agriculture

AgricultureBiotechnologyFarming
GrantFeb 7, 2025
Amount Raised: $831,685
Durham County Council

Durham, Durham, United Kingdom

Durham County Council provides news about jobs, events, services, consultations & more.

AssociationNews
GrantNov 14, 2024
Amount Raised: $1,234,784
Fieldwork Robotics

Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom

Disrupting the $2.2bn fresh raspberry market with the world’s first autonomous harvesting robots

AgTechFarmingRobotics
GrantMar 25, 2024
Amount Raised: $758,182
Fieldwork Robotics

Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom

Disrupting the $2.2bn fresh raspberry market with the world’s first autonomous harvesting robots

AgTechFarmingRobotics
GrantJan 5, 2024
Amount Raised: $655,337
Upcycled Plant Power (UPP) Limited

Newport, Newport, United Kingdom

About 80% of broccoli crop is wasted. upp harvests clean, natural, healthy proteins and ingredients from what we already grow.

AgTechFarmingFood and BeverageOrganic
GrantJun 15, 2023
Amount Raised: $1,022,796
University of Plymouth

Plymouth, Plymouth, United Kingdom

University of Plymouth is an university with an enterprise culture that will deliver sustained innovation and international impact.

E-LearningEducationUniversities
GrantMay 24, 2023