Agricultural innovation expert Rob Cannings has launched AB Consultants, a new international start-up designed to fast-track innovation and market success for biostimulant and biocontrol companies.

Headquartered in the UK with global reach, AB Consultants provides technical, regulatory, and strategic support to help agri-tech businesses bring products to market efficiently across Europe, the UK, and North America.

Cannings told New AG International that the business is divided into two main areas, Fractional Consulting and Technology Analysis.

“With Fractional Consulting, instead of hiring a full-time team or relying solely on one-off assignments from consultants, we offer flexible, expert commercial and development support for fixed periods,” says Cannings.

To that end, AB Consultants offers end-to-end project and regulatory support – from product registration, labelling, and trials to R&D programme design and investment analysis. The firm also provides agile project support for smaller businesses looking to expand into new markets without committing to full-time technical staff.

With Technology Analysis, a cornerstone of the new business is its Technology Intelligence Report, an expert-driven pre-research service that delivers comprehensive analyses within 48 hours. Drawing on data from over 200 million patents, 206 million scientific papers, and real-time company and news feeds, the reports evaluate idea feasibility, identify IP risks, and outline potential R&D pathways.

“Previously, we conducted costly one-off Freedom to Operate searches late in the project, but our new approach is a more affordable option that can be utilised throughout the research and development phases, optimising product development,” says Cannings.

With expertise spanning biostimulant and biocontrol development, regulatory compliance, and commercialisation, Cannings says AB Consultants aims to bridge knowledge gaps in a rapidly evolving sector.

“Our approach combines deep data intelligence with hands-on experience,” he said. “It’s about helping companies move from idea validation to market success – sustainably and strategically.”

Cannings was most recently Head of Agri Sciences Biologicals.