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Application info

This page outlines the information you’ll need to share for each stage of your Pitch Up! application, and tells you a bit more about what we’re looking for.

Download as a PDF

Cows at Balcaskie

The Pitch Up! annual Applications Season runs from 1–30 November.

There’s lots you can do before then to get your application ready, and give you the best chance of success.

Any other time outside of the November Applications Season, you can fill in an Expression of Interest form – it doesn’t take long, and you can do it now.

We recommend starting to pull your full application together as soon as you can (see details below), ready to copy into the official form when it goes live on 1 November.

So, time to get busy!

We’re particularly interested in hearing from established businesses looking to join a circular community, relocate, scale or expand elsewhere in the UK – but are also happy to work with start-ups and those at the proof-of-concept stage, if the idea is strong and viable.

What are we looking for?

Before you start your application, please make sure your idea fits within the four core Pitch Up! principles:

Your business is ecologically-minded, has a regenerative and low impact mindset, and wants to improve things for both nature and future generations. You also have the practical skills and business acumen to help your idea grow into a viable enterprise.

You live in the region and near to the farm/ estate you’re applying to – or are willing to relocate/ are able to be on site as regularly as needed. It doesn’t work to be off-land and hands-off. Even if your new business is fitting around a day job (which we completely understand), it works best to be reasonably nearby and in close contact.

Your business will work with the existing natural resources of the farm you’re applying to (eg plants/ livestock/ woodland), or what’s already being farmed or produced there – and the businesses already on site. Your application will show how your business can collaborate to source or supply, re-use or repurpose waste or by-products, or introduce a beneficial new resource to the farm community/ system.

Your business will add something fresh, exciting and different into the mix; creating new opportunities, filling gaps or solving problems for the current businesses on the farm. It will integrate with the whole farm system, rather than standing alone. And if you can see opportunities for mobile infrastructure to spread the benefits across the whole farm too, win-win!

Do-ers (not just dreamers) this way please…

We’re looking for sound businesses and bright ideas from people with practical know-how and business acumen, as well as get-up-and-go spirit. Those who are hard grafters and really committed to making things happen.

Application form

This form – which goes live on 1 November – will include the following sections, so you can start preparing your answers now:

  • Basic info: name, contact details, website and social media handles if you have them.

  • Which Pitch Up! farm are you applying to? (tick the box for the correct Pitch Up! Partner farm location/s). If you’re interested in working with more than one farm/ location, please tick whichever apply (and your application will be forwarded to all of them).

  • Business status: are you an established business or a start-up (tick the relevant box)?

  • What do you need? Give a 100-word overview on the equipment and facilities your business/ product needs, and tick the relevant box/es.
    • Land
    • Production space
    • Office space
    • Storage space
    • Retail space
    • Power
    • Water supply
    • Equipment
    • Business support/ mentoring
    • Other

  • What’s your pitch? A 500-word summary of your business/ product, the business need or market opportunity it addresses, your plans to grow the business, and how it aligns with the Pitch Up! core principles (above).
      • OR if you’re responding to one of the specific opportunities listed at one of our farms, please tell us why you’re well suited to take this on.

  • Your team: details of your team and their roles, skills, experience and any relevant training being/ to be undertaken (100 words maximum per person).

  • Your market: an overview of your target customer, audience and market, and how you will sell your products to them (200 words).

  • Financial overview: the current financial position of the business, your pricing strategy, projected turnover and costs, any other sources of finance/ grants/ loans (current or potential), how you will finance your and any team members’ contributions to the business, and, if it’s a start-up, how you will make a living while setting up your business (up to 750 words).

  • What are the risks? An overview of the main risks and uncertainties, including any technical, commercial, managerial and environmental risks and how you will mitigate against them (100 words).