Farm491 Challenge – supported by Esmée Fairbairn Foundation

Are you developing tools, technologies, or approaches that promote nature-friendly, multi-functional land use?

The future of land management requires a highly integrated approach that balances food production, renewable energy and biodiversity. 

Endorsed by the UK Government’s newly launched National Framework for Land Use in England, our Challenge seeks to build a more resilient future for our landscapes. 

Generously supported by Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and powered by Farm491 at the Royal Agricultural University, 2026 marks the third year of the Farm491 Challenge Prize. Having already awarded £135,000 to pioneering companies, we are once again looking for innovative solutions to create systematic change to our land whilst mitigating competing pressures.

The 2026 Challenge will award a £40,000 cash prize to the winning entry and £20,000 for the runner up. Both the winner and runner up will also gain exclusive access to Farm491’s extensive network, events and strategic business support.

This year we specifically seek high-growth innovators that can leverage this support to take their solution to landscape scale. 

Applications have now closed for this year’s Challenge. To register interest in future Challenge events, please email farm491@rau.ac.uk. 

Scroll down to discover how we will decide this year’s winner and runner up.