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Applications are now open for the 2022 AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme run by the AgTechUCD Innovation Centre in Co Kildare.
Potential candidates will be early-stage ag-tech and agri-food startups with global potential.
The accelerator programme, which starts this October, is an intensive 12-week programme which includes dedicated business development workshops, investor readiness training, mentoring from industry experts and business advisers, guest speakers and access to AgTechUCD’s venture capital and business angel networks.
The programme concludes next January when all participating startups pitch their businesses to a panel of investors with the opportunity to be awarded prize funding.
AgTechUCD supports entrepreneurs as they build their businesses from early-stage startups to 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.
Success story
Among the cohort of eight startups which completed the 2021 AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme was Agtech startup CropHound.
CropHound is a Belfast-based startup which uses remote sensors and artificial intelligence to monitor crop health, growing conditions and crop potential from planting to harvest, giving early insights and recommendations to users – in turn increasing yield, lowering costs and reducing carbon footprint.
“Participating in AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme was an excellent experience for CropHound,” said the company founder Mark Elliott.
“As well as great mentors and workshops we got the chance to meet some amazing Agtech entrepreneurs from across Ireland and internationally. I would highly recommend this accelerator programme to any startup in the Agtech sector.”
Partners on the AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme include: Enterprise Ireland, AIB, The Yield Lab Europe, Devenish, Carberry, Ornua, HerdWatch, ifac, Thrive/SVG Ventures and The Virtual Vet, who are supporting the programme.
“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 to accelerate their start-ups,” said Niamh Collins, director of AgTechUCD.
For further information on the 2022 AgTechUCD Agccelerator programme and to apply, visit ucd.ie/innovation/agtechucd-agccelerator-programme/
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