The AgTechUCD Innovation Centre is looking for new applicants for its early-stage agri-tech and agri-food accelerator programme.

The 12-week programme will start in October 2022 and 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.

It’s focused on promoting and accelerating the launch and scaling of startups and SMEs, with disruptive innovations, in Ireland and Europe, in the agri-tech, agri-food and vet tech fields, with the aim of building their businesses into leading companies.

Director Niamh Collins said: “This dedicated programme is tailored to address the particular needs and challenges facing startups in these sectors, and aims to fast track the business development and leadership skills of participants and to provide them with the support and guidance needed.”

Programme partners include Enterprise Ireland, AIB, The Yield Lab Europe, Devenish, Carberry, Ornua, HerdWatch, IFAC, Thrive/SVG Ventures and The Virtual Vet.

In Association with

Yield Lab managing partner David Bowles added: "Innovative agri-food technologies are among the leading ways in which Ireland will deliver on its climate change commitments.

"As Europe's leading early-stage Sustainable AgTech investor, we are delighted to once again be supporting the AgTechUCD accelerator programme as it finds and support exciting early-stage companies in Ireland and internationally.”

Based at UCD’s Lyons Farm, AgTechUCD offers the only on-farm workspace hub to promote and accelerate agri-businesses and start-ups, it says, with access to on-farm experimental facilities, allowing testing 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.