Hartpury’s Tech Box Park has welcomed two innovative new members, Awaretag and Bioviron to its ever-growing community looking to find solutions to real world problems in the agri-tech industry.

Both new businesses plan to use their membership to take advantage of the on-farm facilities at Hartpury and across its extended farming network to test and develop new products for the agricultural and land-based sector.

Leading experts in compostable materials since 2005, BioViron offers businesses a 100% plant based, water soluble, compostable packing foam – a zero waste and zero plastic solution to modern day packaging and shipping requirements without the carbon footprint.

Currently working across a diverse range of industries including pharmaceutical, furniture and museums, the company with sustainability at its heart, intend to use their membership to better understand the needs of farmers and estate managers.

Bruce Bodio, CEO at BioViron said: “We’ve always seen the potential for our products within the agricultural market, but never thought we’d find a partner so agreeable and accommodating. Joining the Tech Box will give us the opportunity to tap into the minds of farmers and estate managers and see where our materials could work well.

The potential to develop something ground-breaking here is real. Whether it’s testing dissolvable tree tubes that disappear or trailing compostable film as a workable alternative to plastic hay bale wrap, we’re excited to work with Hartpury’s agricultural experts to test samples on the fields in real life where it should be, rather than in a laboratory.”

Awaretag is currently using smart technology to solve some of the biggest challenges in housing but intends to partner it’s in house electronics and AI expertise with the Tech Box to apply their innovative ‘tech’ that helps create the right environment for people and plants to the farming industry.

Drawing on 20 years’ experience with the Internet of Things (IoT), Awaretag’s CEO and Founder, Leonard Carey is passionate about putting people at the centre of technology and giving everyone the confidence to harness data to make the right choices for their environment and save money, time, and resources.

“We want to now apply our technology to something that has always been at the back of our minds – indoor agriculture. The Tech Box not only gives us a place to better understand environmental factors affecting plant growth and yield, but also provides a space to collaborate, share ideas and find solutions to problems.

"We relish the opportunity to learn from Hartpury agriculture staff, explore ideas and grow our business in this area with confidence. More than ever, people want the tangible experience and that’s what the Tech Box offers us – a place to get our technology showcased in the real environment – we can’t wait to get started!”

Catherine Briggs, Tech Box Park Centre Manager said: “We're delighted to welcome our two new like-minded members and look forward to supporting them with the development and showcasing of their innovative new products that have the potential to make a real-world difference in the agri-tech sector.”

Hartpury’s £2million Tech Box Park facility funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the GFirst LEP ‘Getting Building Fund’ and the Elizabeth Creak Charitable Trust is dedicated to enabling the growth of innovative local businesses looking to develop new or existing products and accelerate them into the agri-tech market.

To book a tour of the facility, or to secure a Tech Box unit for your business, click here to learn more. The Digital Innovation Farm project, home to both the £2 million Tech Box Park and £2 million Agri-Tech Centre, provides a unique opportunity for students and staff to connect with business, whether through research partnerships or work placement and employment opportunities.

Hartpury University and Hartpury College provide a range of diplomas, undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in agriculture, including a new MRes Applied Agricultural Sciences to prepare the agricultural leaders of the future. In the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021, 100% of agriculture students progressed into employment, education, or other purposeful activity.