AgTechUCD has announced the seven startups which have been selected for its fourth accelerator programme dedicated to early-stage startups in the agtech and agrifood sectors.
The participating start-ups are; 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 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 startups.
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 startups.
Dedicated business development workshops
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.
The in-person workshops will take place in the AgTechUCD Innovation Centre at UCD Lyons Farm in Co Kildare.
Gary Ryan, director, AgTechUCD, said: "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.
"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.”
Twenty-seven startups, including MyGug and Proveye, have completed the three AgTechUCD Agccelerator programmes delivered to date.
Since completing the 2022 programme, MyGug, a west Cork-based company which is at the forefront of innovation in food waste management, has secured €900,000 in funding and was named the winner of the Sustainability Award at the 2023 Irish Times Innovation Awards.
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.
Chosen from more than 800 applications
The company was also recently name as one of the 15 startups, chosen from more than 800 applications, for the 2024 AWS Clean Energy Accelerator 4.0 programme, Generative AI Energy Lab edition.
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 offices and labs and preferred access to on-farm testing for new products and services at UCD Lyons Farm.
The fourth AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme will conclude in January 2025 when participating start-ups will pitch their businesses to a panel of investors.
Programme partners include, AIB, Carbery, Enterprise Ireland, Herdwatch, IFAC, The Yield Lab and Thrive/SVG Ventures.
L-R: 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. Image: Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland.
The startups on the AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme are:
- Aerial AG Ireland (Dublin) 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 Agccelerator Programme. www.aerialag.ie
- Auto Coupler (Co Kilkenny), 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) 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. www.evogen.io/
- IONA Minerals (Anglesey, North Wales) is a distributor 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) 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) 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. https://weighlesswonders.ie/
- Zirkulu (Co Cork), 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. https://zirkulu.com/
Based at the UCD Lyons Farm, AgTechUCD offers the first and only on farm workspace hub to promote and accelerate agri-businesses and startups. AgTechUCD is part of NovaUCD and is funded through the Regional Enterprise Development Fund administered by Enterprise Ireland. https://www.ucd.ie/innovation/about-agtechucd/ and @AgTechUCD