Direction of travel signaled by the bloc over the past few years is creating a fundraising environment beneficial to start-ups and is now backed by a sustainability conscious subsidy package.

VC investment into agtech has grown 75% since 2014 and looks keen to keep growing as the sector offers opportunities across types of investors.

Among the businesses to receive backing is Nanoracks, a frequent user of the International Space Station that is building a research center in the emirate to explore harsh climate food production.