A Limerick-based agritech company, Cotter Agritech, has made headlines by clinching two prestigious awards at the InterTradeIreland all-island Seedcorn Investor Readiness Competition. Founded by brothers Nick and Jack Cotter, the company was honored as Best New Start, securing a top prize of €50,000. Additionally, Cotter Agritech received an extra €20,000 for the Sustainability / Low Carbon Award, underscoring its commitment to innovation in the low carbon and sustainability sector.
Central to Cotter Agritech’s success is its groundbreaking product, SmartWorm, a mobile application designed to revolutionize livestock management. The app employs proprietary advanced algorithms that assess various physiological and environmental factors, enabling farmers to determine in real-time whether individual animals require anti-parasitic treatments. This innovative approach not only enhances animal welfare but also aims to improve overall farm profitability.
Nick Cotter, the company’s CEO and co-founder, expressed the significance of the awards in validating their efforts. As Cotter Agritech embarks on raising a €450,000 seed funding round, the recognition from the competition is poised to enhance their credibility among potential investors. “It gives us huge credibility,” Cotter remarked, emphasizing how the competition has refined their pitch and narrative. He noted that this validation is crucial as they prepare to expand their operations into Australia and New Zealand next year, with the ambitious goal of increasing farmers’ profitability by up to 20%.
The InterTradeIreland Seedcorn competition is designed to bolster the investor readiness of innovative startups across Ireland, highlighting the vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem in the region. Margaret Hearty, InterTradeIreland’s chief executive, praised the diverse range of participants this year, reflecting a robust spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship.
Cotter Agritech’s achievements not only spotlight the potential for agritech solutions to transform farming practices but also underscore the importance of investor support in scaling such innovations. With the agricultural sector increasingly focused on sustainability, the company’s dual recognition at the Seedcorn competition positions it as a leader in the drive towards more efficient and environmentally friendly farming practices.
