Seven innovative start-ups have been selected to participate in the latest round of the AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme, which aims to bolster the agritech and agrifood sectors through intensive business development training. Announced on 17 October, these start-ups—Aerial AG Ireland, Auto Coupler, Evogen, Iona Minerals, RoboCrop, Weighless Wonders, and Zirkulu—will engage in a 12-week hybrid programme designed to enhance their business acumen and leadership capabilities.
Now entering its fourth iteration, the Agccelerator Programme offers a robust curriculum that includes business development workshops, investor readiness training, and mentorship from industry experts. Participants will also benefit from facilitated introductions to venture capital and business angel networks associated with AgTechUCD. The programme is set to conclude in January 2025, culminating in an investor pitch event where participants will showcase their ventures to a panel of potential backers.
The selected start-ups reflect a diverse range of solutions aimed at addressing critical challenges in agriculture. Aerial AG Ireland, based in Dublin, specializes in drone services that enhance crop health through precision aerial applications. Auto Coupler from Co Kilkenny is transforming equipment attachment processes for farmers, allowing for seamless integration of various implements. Evogen leverages data analytics and AI to optimize breeding decisions, recently earning recognition as a promising contender in the agritech space.
Iona Minerals is tackling environmental pollution with its natural mineral products, while Kildare’s RoboCrop is pushing the boundaries of automation in agriculture, focusing on robotic systems that enhance productivity and sustainability. Dublin-based Weighless Wonders is making strides in the agrifood sector with its NutraVerse app, which provides in-depth insights into nutrition and food processing. Finally, Zirkulu from Cork is developing bio-based solutions to combat soil degradation, showcasing the potential of sustainable practices in agriculture.
Gary Ryan, director of AgTechUCD, emphasized the programme’s commitment to fostering solutions that enhance sustainability, efficiency, and profitability within the agri-food value chain. The accelerator not only aims to elevate the profiles of these start-ups but also to facilitate connections that could lead to fruitful partnerships and customer relationships.
Previous participants have already demonstrated the programme’s effectiveness, with MyGug raising over €900,000 in seed funding and Proveye securing €1 million earlier this year. As the agritech landscape continues to evolve, initiatives like the Agccelerator Programme play a crucial role in nurturing the next generation of innovative solutions that can drive the industry forward.
