Bayer backs Norwich Research Park programme to help agri‑biotech startups bridge the Series A gap

Bayer has become the first corporate sponsor of Norwich Research Park’s new BioTransitions programme, which aims to help UK agri-food biotech start-ups bridge the challenging gap from seed funding to Series A investment. The programme offers tailored support—including investment strategy, field trials, and access to expertise—focusing on company-specific needs rather than a fixed checklist, and seeks to position participants for commercial success in global markets. BioTransitions will work with up to 10 companies annually, targeting the sector’s persistent scale-up challenges by connecting them with investors, industry, and academic networks while not providing direct funding. Bayer’s involvement underscores a commitment to ecosystem development and sustainable agricultural innovation, with the goal of accelerating commercialisation and supporting both local and international start-ups.