ScanInsights has won the Start-Up Innovator of the Year Award in the Enterprise Ireland Innovation Arena competition at the National Ploughing Championships.

The Cork-based company received a €10,000 prize for its technology, which uses AI to give real-time information on bovine scanning.

The Green Impact Award for innovation, focused on sustaining the development of food and farming, was won by GlasPort Bio.

The Innovation Arena Champion Award, honouring an established company demonstrating a focus on scaling and innovation, was won by Herdwatch.

A total of nine companies participated in the live final at Enterprise Ireland’s Innovation Arena at the Ploughing on Tuesday, with three companies delivering a live pitch in three different categories.

The other finalists in the Start-Up of the Year category were SM Advanced Technologies, and VetPal. 

Hibra Design and Slurry Quip were the other finalists in the Green Impact Award and pitched today, while Cormac Tagging and Pearson Milking Technology were the other finalists for the Innovation Arena Champion Award.

“Irish agri innovators are renowned for their quality, excellence and knowledge- agriculture and tech are in our DNA," said Jenny Melia, chief executive of Enterprise Ireland.

"The companies participating in this year’s competition are the epitome of that, reshaping the future of agriculture internationally, delivering cutting-edge solutions with the power and ability to sustain and futureproof this sector for generations to come.

"Their ambition and drive are not only transforming this sector globally, but the agritech businesses we are celebrating this week are also deeply rooted in sustaining rural communities and economies by creating high-quality jobs and important local expenditure. 

“Enterprise Ireland’s ambition is that exporting-focused companies will become the primary driver of the Irish economy, and these innovation-focused agritech companies are at the heart of that strategy as they embrace new technologies and deliver novel innovations for global challenges.” 

This is the 12th annual Enterprise Ireland Innovation Arena Awards, and the focus of this year’s exhibition is ‘Accelerate Sustainable Irish Agri Business’.

There was a strong focus on AI technologies this year, and AI-driven tools to inform decisions on farms, a solar-powered feeding machine, and low-emission manure management systems were among the solutions showcased in the final.

Beotanics Ltd, Biocel, Bua Terra Limited, CORE Technology, Feedlync, Munster Bovine, Reap Interactive and SpreadPoint were all recognised with the Certificate of Achievement for Innovation for having received a minimum qualifying score.

In all, 40 Irish agri-tech companies showcased their products and innovations in areas such as animal science and technology, agri-engineering, animal health and nutrition, sustainability, climate action, and farm health and safety. 

A delegation of 25 international buyers from across Europe and the Nordics, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and North America travelled to Screggan, Co Offaly, to meet with exhibitors.

Anna May McHugh, managing director of the National Ploughing Association, which organises the National Ploughing Championships, said the Enterprise Ireland Innovation Arena at the event "shines a light on the creativity and ingenuity within Irish agritech.

"It is inspiring to see so many companies bringing forward solutions that will shape the future of farming, not just here in Ireland but across the world.

"The National Ploughing Association is proud to provide a stage for these innovators, and I warmly congratulate every finalist and exhibitor on their achievements and their contribution to sustaining rural communities and the wider agri sector.”

Irish agri-tech companies employs almost 5,000 people and made exports of €875m last year.

Photo: Pictured at 2025 Enterprise Ireland Innovation Arena Awards in the Ploughing Championships today were the winners of the Dr Dan Ryan, ScanInsights, winner of the Start Up of the Year Award, Stephen Fagan, GlasPort bio, winner of the Green Impact Award and James Greevy, Herdwatch, winner of the Innovation Arena champion Award. (Pic: Orla Murray/Coalesce)