Over 50 businesses that will showcase at this year’s National Ploughing Association (NPA) innovation arena were put through their paces at the first ever innovation bootcamp this week. In association with the Irish Farmers Journal, NPA and Enterprise Ireland, the aim was to get them business-fit for the Ploughing. The innovation ranged from solar water pumps and sheep and cattle handling units to mobile applications for labour and safety. Anna May McHugh of the NPA welcomed the start-ups and established businesses to the Ploughing site in Screggan, Tullamore, where they were told how best to capture the opportunity of an audience of up to 300,000. Mike Brougham of Enterprise Ireland said the arena will be the biggest stand at the Ploughing this year and the level of innovation is the best yet. Enterprise Ireland has over 100 overseas buyers coming in to identify products that can be exported. TJ Hughes, also of Enterprise Ireland, set out the development path that many companies could take. Starting from help with research and development through to mentoring, TJ said many companies could be eligible for a sum of up to €50,000 in funding from the competitive start fund, with more as companies grow and start exporting.

Blaise Brosnan, business consultant, and Paul Finnerety of Yield Lab both said that focus and clarity of purpose was critical.

“There is no relationship between sweat and success. Successful businesspeople use their head along with common sense,” said Blaise.

“You have to be clear about what you offer and why a customer will buy your product,” Paul told them.

Evelyn Murphy from Major Equipment gave key insights on how they built a successful company based in Mayo. She highlighted the importance of using the Ploughing opportunity to access customers but said when it came to exporting, picking the right distributors in the different countries was critical. While giving a social media masterclass, Sinead Evans from the Irish Farmers Journal said you need to know what your objectives are and carefully plan what you are going to do to get the most impact over three busy days in September.