AgTech Startups Accelerator

Dublin, Ireland, 20 October 2023, The AgTechUCD Innovation Centre at University College Dublin (UCD) today announced the eight (8) start-ups which have been selected to take part in its third accelerator programme dedicated to early-stage start-ups with global potential in the AgTech, Agrifood, Equine sectors.

Among the participating start-ups 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 start-ups are; Burpeez, Moonsyst, PolyBo, Prepsheets, Spread It and Trojan Track. (See profiles below).

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 advisors, 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.