Grow Bristol
Helping urban farming pioneer Grow Bristol raise seed finance for the city’s first hydroponic vegetable production site
Challenge
Developing a robust business plan and financial model to
access social finance for a pilot urban farming production site
Outcome
Seed funding for the purchase of essential equipment, allowing
Grow Bristol to develop, market and sell product to restaurants,
markets and customers around Bristol
The UK’s food supply is in growing danger. With 40% of our produce currently imported, and 95% at risk due to climate change, we need to explore innovative solutions that increase the security of our food.
One possible solution is urban farming, where new technology such as aqua- and hydroponics allow new kinds of market gardening to emerge in city spaces not suited to typical agricultural methods.
These systems allow the production of fresh vegetable produce such as micro-greens, pea shoots, radish leaves and more on a year-round, predictable yield basis. These features make them popular with local chefs and city residents alike.
The potential of these systems is exciting, and there are now several venture-funded businesses exploring their potential, such as GrowUp Urban Farms and Growing Underground in London. Bristol has both a strong local food and technology scene, so it was only a matter of time before urban farming reached the City, and Grow Bristol founder Dermot O’Regan was first to spot and grasp the opportunity.
Early support from UnLtd and the School for Social Entrepreneurs helped to develop the concept, however seed funding was required to develop and equip a site for production, which included the purchase of empty shipping containers as well as the technical equipment and systems needed.
Grow Bristol is now an established and popular part of Bristol’s food infrastructure. Their produce is served by many of the City’s best loved restaurants such as the Gallimaufry and Box-E, whilst consumers buy salad boxes through Farmdrop and Better Food, amongst others.
“Emergent worked with us to deliver a first business plan and financial model for our start-up social enterprise, and the result was crucial in us securing some early financing to start to scale up. They brought enthusiasm and positivity in addition to impressive knowledge, experience and skills and they really ‘get’ our innovative approach. We look forward to continuing to work with emergent as we go to the next level.”