A celebration of grassroot development and the innovators creating new and unique solutions, the GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund (GISCF), created in partnership with Glee, is set to mark its 10th birthday this September, with GIMA issuing a rallying call to those new brands and product designers to submit their entries now!

Awarded at the annual Glee trade exhibition (10th – 12th September, NEC Birmingham), which has partnered with GIMA and the GISCF for the last decade, the 2024 GISCF champ 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 an unrivalled prize package, comprising a grant of up to £6,000. This includes a year’s full GIMA membership, plus a wide range of business support tools including free exhibition space at Glee and free PR support during the event. 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.

Enter the 2024 GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund

Businesses interested in entering the GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund in 2024 are invited to do so by visiting www.gima.org.uk/innovators-seed-corn-fund/ and completing the online application form ahead of the Friday 23rd August 2024 deadline.