GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund is now open for applications

A celebration of grassroots development and innovation, the GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund provides an annual grant of up to £6,000 to help launch innovative, never before seen products for the gardening market.

Corn with husks

Awarded in association with Glee, at the annual Glee trade exhibition, the winner of the 2024 GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund (GISCF) will join an illustrious list of previous winners, which includes now established brands such as GERMIE, Natural Grower, Qwickhose, PotMate™, Bloomin’ Amazing and Vivagreen.

Each year the fund offers one lucky winner a grant of up to £6,000, as well as a year’s GIMA membership and wide range of business support tools (free exhibition space at Glee with free PR support). In addition, the winners fund also includes design, development and manufacturing or marketing cost support up to the value of £3,000; access to an industry business consultant; one-year ACID (Anti Copying In Design) membership; and an advert in the next GIMA Product Digest.

Vicky Nuttall, GIMA Director, said: “The GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund celebrates those individuals or brands that have turned their ideas into reality through hard work and dedication. Each year, we see a variety of new products brought to market, tackling common problems, addressing key trends, or opening up new opportunities within gardening. I am excited to see what this year’s entrants have to offer. These emerging brands are the lifeblood of our industry and offer retailers the chance to stock something unique. Our Seed Corn Fund allows us to shine a light on these brands and help them kickstart their journey into garden retail.”

The GISCF winners will be announced on the opening day of Glee 2024, with a special ceremony on-stand with GIMA President, Kate Ebbens and Glee Event Director, Matt Mein, in attendance.

Businesses interested in entering the GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund in 2024 can do so here, until the deadline on the 23rd August 2024.