AgTechUCD Accelerator supports founding entrepreneurs as they build their innovative businesses into leading enterprises.
Seven early-stage start-ups have been selected for the fourth AgTechUCD Accelerator Programme dedicated to agtech and agrifood sectors.
Participating start-ups include: Aerial AG Ireland (Dublin), Auto Coupler (Co. Kilkenny), Evogen (Dublin), IONA Minerals (Anglesey, Wales), RoboCrop (Co. Kildare), Weighless Wonders (Dublin) and Zirkulu (Co. Cork).
“The focus on solutions delivering improved sustainability, efficiency and profitability in the agfood value chain is welcome and is very much in line with the overall focus of AgTechUCD”
The 2024 AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme, which has just commenced, is an intensive 12-week hybrid programme, tailored to address the particular needs and challenges facing AgTech and Agrifood start-ups.
Fast-tracking agtech start-ups
The programme is focused on fast tracking the business development and leadership skills of participants and on providing them with the support and guidance needed to accelerate the growth and development of their start-ups.
The programme includes dedicated business development workshops and investor readiness training, mentoring from industry experts and business advisors, guest speakers and facilitated introductions to AgTechUCD’s venture capital and business angel networks.
To date 27 start-ups including MyGug and Proveye have completed the accelerator programme.
Since completing the 2022 programme, MyGug, a West Cork-based company which is at the forefront of innovation in food waste management, has secured €900k in funding and was named the winner of the Sustainability Award at the 2023 Irish Times Innovation Awards.
Also since completing the 2021 programme, Proveye, a UCD spin-out headquartered at NovaUCD and a leader in remote sensing image analysis for agriculture, has secured €1m in seed funding. The company was also recently name as one of the 15 start-ups, chosen from over 800 applications, for the 2024 AWS Clean Energy Accelerator 4.0 programme, Generative AI Energy Lab edition.
“During the next 12 weeks we will be focused on supporting the commercial development and growth of the participating start-ups as they develop their ag and food tech-related businesses with national and international potential,” said Ger Ryan, director of AgTech UCD.
“The focus on solutions delivering improved sustainability, efficiency and profitability in the agfood value chain is welcome and is very much in line with the overall focus of AgTechUCD. During the programme we will also be working with this year’s cohort to help them to increase their profile, to attract customers and investors, and to forge new partnerships at home and further afield.”
7 new agtech players to watch
Aerial AG Ireland (Dublin)
Aerial AG Ireland specialises in advanced agricultural drone services and products for farmers, offering multispectral imaging, precision aerial crop spraying, seeding, and fertilisation to maximise crop health and yield, while minimising environmental impact. The company also offers custom aerial solutions for forestry, pasture management, and pest control. Founder Daniel O’Reilly is taking part in the 2024 AgTechUCD Accelerator Programme.
Auto Coupler (Co. Kilkenny)
Auto Coupler allows a tractor/digger loader to attach to any agricultural implement, automatically coupling the loader’s hydraulic circuit to the implement and then locking the implement in place with the loader’s locking system. Auto Coupler is a two-part system, one part is attached to a tractor loader or digger arm, and the other part is attached to the implement. Auto Coupler was recently named winner of the AgTechUCD Award at the 2024 National Ploughing Championships where it was showcased in Enterprise Ireland’s Innovation Arena. Founder, Seamus Kenny, is taking part in the 2024 AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme.
Evogen (Dublin)
Evogen is focused on helping dairy farmers maximise profits through smarter genetic selection. The Evogen platform uses advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence to analyse farm-specific environmental factors to take the guesswork out of breeding decisions. By providing unbiased, data-driven breeding recommendations, Evogen enables farmers to choose the best bulls for their herds, improving cow performance, milk production, and overall profitability. Evogen was recently named winner of the One to Watch Award at the end of the third New Frontiers Programme delivered by IADT Media Cube in partnership with NovaUCD. Founder Andrew Moore is taking part in the 2024 AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme.
IONA Minerals (Anglesey, North Wales)
IONA Minterals is a distributer of natural minerals with the aim of providing innovative solutions to help mitigate environmental pollution challenges found on the land, in waterways and in the air. Managing Director Selwyn Owen is taking part in the 2024 AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme.
RoboCrop (Co. Kildare)
RoboCrop is focused on revolutionising agricultural production, for a diverse range of agricultural crops, through advanced robotic systems to optimise yields and minimise environmental impacts. RoboCrop’s robotic solutions empower farmers to automate tasks such as crop nutrition, pest control, and crop health assessment, ensuring precision agriculture and sustainable farming practices. Lead promotor Dr Gary Gillespie, UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, is taking part in the 2024 AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme.
Weighless Wonders (Dublin)
Weighless Wonders is a health and wellness company committed to empowering individuals to achieve their health goals through informed choices. The company’s flagship product, NutraVerse, is an innovative food tracking app that goes beyond calorie counting by offering comprehensive insights into nutrition, food processing, and environmental impact. Founder Caraldine Nolan is taking part in the 2024 AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme.
Zirkulu (Co. Cork)
Zirkulu, a material innovation company, is focused on developing a platform of bio-based solutions designed for real-world applications to accelerate the adoption of renewable, bio-based products that engage directly with consumers. Zirkulu is currently developing a bio-based coating for fertiliser to combat soil degradation caused by synthetic fertilisers. Founders Jack Norman, Fionn McCarthy and Eoin Keller are taking part in the 2024 AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme.
Main image at top: Pictured (from left) at UCD Lyons Farm are: Selwyn Owen (IONA Minerals); Eoin Keller, Fionn McCarthy and Jack Norman (Zirkulu); Caraldine Nolan (Weighless Wonders); Andrew Moore (Evogen); Daniel O’Reilly (Aerial AG Ireland) and Seamus Kenny (Auto Coupler). Photo: Sasko Lazarov / Photocall Ireland
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