Deadline: 09-Nov-2025
The GeoAI Build and Pitch Programme, organised by DEFRA and Innovate UK Business Connect, invites innovators across the UK to develop Earth Observation and AI-based solutions for smarter spatial planning and sustainable land and ocean use, running from 13 January to 15 March 2026, at Cloth Hall Court, University of Leeds, to improve environmental monitoring, climate resilience, and infrastructure development.
Seeking innovative solutions that leverage Earth Observation and AI to enable smarter spatial planning, and sustainable land and ocean use. Participants will be challenged to combine EO data, both public and commercial, with other datasets and apply AI tools to develop concepts for innovative, commercially viable products. Solutions must be cloud-native and software-only. All selected teams will have the opportunity to showcase their prototypes at Space Comm Europe. Solutions should address pressing challenges such as infrastructure development, habitat protection, and climate resilience with the aim of supporting spatial decision-making, environmental monitoring, and risk reduction.
The programme aims to bring together innovators, start-ups, SMEs, universities, Research Technology Organisations, and end users to create actionable and commercially viable prototypes using Earth Observation and Artificial Intelligence. Participants will benefit from expert mentorship, access to cloud computing credits, and a wide range of EO datasets. The initiative supports sustainable development by encouraging solutions that balance food production, infrastructure development, environmental protection, and ecosystem resilience.
The three-day Build and Pitch sprint in January 2026 at the University of Leeds will be followed by a six-week incubation period, offering workshops on value proposition design, business modelling, and pitch development. All participants will have the chance to showcase their prototypes at Space Comm Europe, with the top five teams invited to pitch at the Downstream Theatre and receive Commercialisation Credits valued at up to £80,000 to further develop market-ready products.
Challenge statements focus on improving spatial planning for land use, ecosystem resilience, habitat verification, renewable energy project assessments, and regulatory compliance. Participants are also encouraged to explore cross-cutting areas, such as combining EO with other datasets, enhancing product interfaces, demonstrating ROI, validating demand, and reducing workflow burdens through AI.
The programme is designed to help UK-based organisations develop innovative solutions for smarter, more sustainable land and ocean use, offering visibility across partner networks and creating opportunities for collaboration, experimentation, and commercialisation. By leveraging EO and AI, the initiative aims to enable better decision-making, early detection of environmental risks, and maximisation of benefits from land management interventions.
For more information, visit Innovate UK Business Connect.