How can you communicate the value of your agribusiness R&D project to potential funders?

There are standard training materials for this purpose. As someone who own the R&D project, I assume you know what your project will deliver, what it will take to deliver, and a whatif scenario analysis between having and not having this project funded. But if you stop right here, your chance of getting funded is still largely depending on luck. The message need to be crafted keeping in mind "why your funder should care?". What is your funder's mandate/mission? How are funding your project helps them getting to where they want? And why are you (and not someone else) better at helping them delivering that? As a personal touch, I would always prefer to have a message on how my project is helping toward a sustainable Ag. Comments welcomed.

You need to use clear, concise, and persuasive language to describe your project and its benefits. You need to highlight your unique value proposition, competitive advantage, and potential outcomes. You need to address any questions or concerns that funders may have about your project.

Research is key in identifying the interests of the target funders. Spend time researching to ensure that the project meet their requirements.

Emphasize the innovative aspects of your project, illustrating how it addresses current challenges in agriculture and contributes to advancements in the field is the most important part

Once you have identified your target funders, you need to highlight your unique value proposition, or UVP. Your UVP is the core benefit or solution that your project offers to a specific problem or need in the agribusiness sector. It should answer the question: why should funders support your project over others? To craft a compelling UVP, you need to demonstrate how your project addresses a gap or opportunity in the market, how it differs from existing or competing solutions, and how it delivers value to your customers, stakeholders, and funders.

It is important to do an extensive needs assessment to be able to develop an interesting Unique Value Proposition. The needs of the market can only be identified if you undertake a scientific means to identify the gaps or opportunity.

I agree but showing evidence solid evidence like a trial or an in field illustration, not soft evidence like pictures or testimonies. This will give a boost to the data presented and more credibility.

To communicate the value of your agribusiness R&D project to potential funders: Highlight Impact: Emphasize how the project addresses key industry challenges, improves productivity, sustainability, or introduces innovative solutions to boost yields or reduce costs. Show Potential Returns: Present a clear roadmap outlining the project's potential impact on revenue, market expansion, or cost savings, demonstrating a promising return on investment.

And also focus on the value generation. Try to understand where and when your technology is creating value for your target customer.

Data is key. Without data, it will only be assumptions. Discus with the target market to get their feedback on how the project will bring value to them. This is a powerful evidence to support your Unique Value Proposition.

AgTech, the hot trend in town. Make sure you are not selling air, back your offer with science. If science doesn't back you up, you are selling air, regardless of your background. Be clear on what your goal is based on sustainability goals. Your proposal must: 1. Restore soils 2. Reduce irrigation water consumption 3. Capture carbon 4. Reduce operational costs for growers 5. Increase yields Not 1 of 5, not 2 of 5, ALL of these must be met, while being profitable for investors. Check your numbers, make sure every single cost is included; then check your selling price and determine how much can you pay back to your investors. Can you escalate your idea? Determine how much more money you need to escalate your business. BE REAL.

This should be clear and concise without any ambiguity. You should demonstrate how the project the environment without any adverse effects and the competence of the team who will be implementing the project.

Also, use storytelling in your pitch. There are many valuable techniques available that you can implement to tell your story in a short space of time. I feel this is important because people invest in people not in technologies.

Always take in consideration that the client in this case is on the field, far way for the best academic centers. So, use tools to assure that your unique value proposition fits with farmers needs …. Sometimes you don’t need sophisticated way to capture growers opinion… simple survey works and help to reinforce the thesis.

Be confident and speak with conviction about the project based on data. Nobody will buy into an idea if you are not confident and convinced about it. Demonstrate these attributes when presenting the project.