A new challenge programme has been launched to find the most innovative agri food tech startups across Europe.

The THRIVE Europe Challenge programme is open to early-stage European ag tech and food tech startups and is part of THRIVE’s global initiative.

This initiative was launched by SVG Ventures | THRIVE in conjunction with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 2020 and aims to promote early-stage startup innovators.

SVG Ventures | THRIVE, led by Limerick native John Hartnett, already has strong Irish roots and a number of leading Irish ag tech companies such as MagGrow, Microgen Biotech, Nuritas and Orbis MES have participated in the programme.

The European challenge programme will be the fourth in the series and follows regional challenges held in Australia, Canada and Africa.

Similar programmes for Asia and Latin America are planned for later in the year.

Finals

Applicants will be supported over the coming months in advance of the finals on 7 October.

The winner will advance to the finals of the Global THRIVE Accelerator programme, with the opportunity to be selected for the THRIVE VIII cohort in Silicon Valley, investment and opportunity to pitch at the Forbes|THRIVE Demo Day.

Partnership

SVG Ventures | THRIVE have also announced AgTechUCD, University College Dublin’s ag tech innovation centre, as a programme partner to help drive awareness among the Irish and European ag tech community.

AgTechUCD is focused on accelerating the launch and scaling of ag tech and food tech startups.

Based at the UCD Lyons Farm, it provides startups with access to on-farm experimental facilities, allowing testing and trialling products and services in a real-world environment, access to UCD food processing facilities, along with access to dedicated acceleration programmes and incubation facilities.

AgTechUCD will be an important partner for SVG Ventures | THRIVE going forward as many ag tech startups require access to lab space, testing facilities, co-working and other resources for product development which it can provide from both NovaUCD and at UCD Lyons Farm.

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