The AgTechUCD Innovation Centre has announced the names of the eight startups selected to take part in its third accelerator programme dedicated to early-stage startups with global potential in the agtech, agrifood and equine sectors. 

Among the participating startups are Agri Data Analytics Ireland and Pitseal. 

Agri Data Analytics Ireland is developing the ‘Bovine Breathalyser’, a non-invasive machine that measures enteric methane emissions from ruminants.

The Co Offaly company, founded by Jack Pilkington and Alan O’Donovan, was recently named winner of the AgTechUCD Start-up Award as part of the 2023 Innovation Arena competition, hosted by Enterprise Ireland with the National Ploughing Association.

Pitseal, founded by Marian Cantillon and based in Co Limerick, offers a game-changing, biofilm spray, comprising of unique strains of seaweed and nutrients, that forms an airtight, water-repellent seal over silage pits, eliminating the need for plastic sheeting and weights.

The other participating startups are; Burpeez, Moonsyst, PolyBo, Prepsheets, Spread It and Trojan Track. 

12-week hybrid programme

The 2023 AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme, which has just commenced, is an intensive 12-week hybrid programme, tailored to address the particular needs and challenges facing start-ups in the agtech, agrifood and equine sectors.

The programme is focused on fast tracking the business development and leadership skills of participants and to provide them with the support and guidance needed to accelerate their start-ups in Ireland and on the global stage.

The programme includes dedicated business development workshops and investor readiness training, mentoring from industry experts and business advisers, guest speakers and facilitated introductions to AgTechUCD’s venture capital and business angel networks.

The in-person workshops will take place in the new AgTechUCD Innovation Centre at UCD Lyons Farm in Co. Kildare. This new facility which includes flexible lab spaces, meeting rooms, offices and an exhibition and seminar space, will be officially opened later this month.

Leo McGrane, centre manager, AgTechUCD Innovation Centre, said: "We are looking forward to the next 12 weeks as we focus on supporting the commercial development of the participating start-ups as they further develop their disruptive agtech, agrifood and equine-tech innovations with global potential.

"During the programme we will also be supporting the participating cohort to help them to enhance their visibility in the marketplace, attract customers and investors and forge new partnerships in Ireland and further afield.”

AgTechUCD, which is part of NovaUCD, is focused on promoting and accelerating the launch and scaling of start-ups and SMEs, in Ireland and internationally, with disruptive innovations in the agtech, agri-food and vettech sectors, as they build their innovative businesses into leading job creating companies on the global stage.

AgTechUCD, funded through the Regional Enterprise Development Fund administered by Enterprise Ireland, supports founding entrepreneurs as they build their innovative businesses into leading enterprises, through the AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme, and by providing access to incubation space and to on-farm testing for new products and services at UCD Lyons Farm.

The third AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme will conclude next January when participating start-ups will pitch their businesses to a panel of investors.

The sponsors of the 2023 AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme are; AIB, FBD Insurance, Ornua and The Yield Lab. Other programme partners include, Enterprise Ireland, Devenish, Carbery, Ornua, Herdwatch, IFAC and Thrive/SVG Ventures.

Participating programme startups

1) Agri Data Analytics Ireland is developing the ‘Bovine Breathalyser’, a non-invasive machine that measures enteric methane emissions from ruminants. The Bovine Breathalyser allows for genetic optimisation of the herd to produce less CO₂, while maintaining high beef/dairy production. The co-founders of Agri Data Analytics Ireland, based in Co Offaly, are Jack Pilkington and Alan O’Donovan.

2) Burpeez is developing an edible netwrap for silage bales. Once the outer bale plastic has been removed, the netwrapped silage bale can be safely fed to ruminant animals. The netwrap will be fortified with postponed-release additives to decrease the rate of burping in cattle; reducing methane released during digestion. The founder of Burpeez, based in Co Clare, is Paul Connellan.

3) Moonsyst, an Agri-IoT, has developed a Smart Rumen Bolus system. The smart bolus is orally administered by a farmer or veterinary and remains in the cow’s rumen. It is designed to alert dairy and beef farmers to any health, calving and breeding events on farm, all easily readable on a mobile phone and web application. The co-founder of Moonsyst, based in Co Cork, is Desmond Savage. www.moonsyst.com

4) Pitseal offers a game-changing, biofilm spray, comprising of unique strains of seaweed and nutrients, that forms an airtight, water-repellent seal over silage pits, eliminating the need for plastic sheeting and weights. Pitseal reduces plastic waste and consumption of the biofilm by livestock reduces greenhouse gas emissions upon consumption of the biofilm by livestock. The founder of Pitseal, based in Co Limerick, is Marion Cantillon. www.pit-seal.com

5) PolyBo offers a unique bolus platform technology. Being composed of FDA-approved bioresorbable polymers, the system allows for a tailorable release-rated of included ingredients, such as trace elements or vitamins, vital for ruminant livestock. The co-founders of PolyBo, based in Co. Westmeath, are Declan Colbert and Luke Geever.

6) Prepsheets streamlines hospitality operations, consolidating ingredients and recipes into one platform. This tool centralises supplier data, providing chefs with precise portion costs, weights, calories, and nutrients, eliminating waste, increasing profits and reducing environmental impact. The co-founders of Prepsheets, based in Dublin, are Brian Beattie and Tara Beattie. www.spreadsheets.com

7) Spread It is a plastic moulded shoe attachment that fits onto the end of each dribble bar pipe on a low emission slurry spreader to improve the spreading coverage of the slurry and minimise and potential slurry caking. The co-founders of Spread It, based in Co Galway, are Tom Turley and Stephen McKeown.

8) Trojan Track is addressing a key problem in equine care, unnoticed injuries.  By combining biomechanical analysis with cutting-edge deep neural network technology, Trojan Track provides quick and accurate analysis of a horse’s movement and performance, using just a smartphone camera and a tripod. The founder of Trojan Track, based in Co Kildare, is Stephen O’Dwyer. www.trojantrack.ie

Based at the UCD Lyons Farm, AgTechUCD offers the first and only on farm workspace hub to promote and accelerate agri-businesses and start-ups. AgTechUCD provides access to on-farm experimental facilities, allowing testing and trialling of products and services in a real-world environment. Start-ups also have preferred access to UCD food processing facilities, access to venture capital and business angel networks, mentoring, corporate partners, office and flexible lab spaces.

AgTechUCD, led by NovaUCD, and funded through the Regional Enterprise Development Fund administered by Enterprise Ireland, is a collaboration with AIB, Kildare County Council, and Kildare LEO; agri-company, Devenish, investors, The Yield Lab Europe, Thrive/SVG Ventures, Finistere and Atlantic Bridge, and leading AgTech researchers and innovators at UCD, Teagasc and Wageningen.  https://www.ucd.ie/innovation/about-agtechucd/ and @AgTechUCD