Enterprise Ireland has announced a new young innovator of the year award for this year’s Enterprise Ireland's innovation arena competition at the 2026 National Ploughing Championships.
It aims to recognise new innovations from the next generation that deliver sustainable change to futureproof the sector.
Enterprise Ireland’s innovation arena is hosted annually in partnership with the National Ploughing Association (NPA) and features as one of the most visited stands, with this year’s theme being ‘helping Irish agribusiness go global’.
The next generation
The addition of the young innovator award places focus on how the next generation is using science and technology to create innovations, products and services that will deliver efficiencies across the industry.
Applications from second- and third-level students will also be accepted for this award.
Innovation arena project manager at Enterprise Ireland James Maloney said: “We are really excited about this category, as so many of this talented generation of innovators are harnessing tools and technologies to deliver cutting-edge solutions with the potential to solve complex global challenges and we look forward to giving some of these exciting innovations a platform at one of Europe’s largest outdoor events.”
Innovation arena
The innovation arena at the Ploughing provides innovators with the opportunity to showcase their creations to the public and to also engage with customers and international buyers.
Enterprise Ireland said: “With four categories in this year’s innovation arena competition, applications are now being invited from Irish-owned companies and innovators who are delivering future-focused solutions with the ability to deliver sustainable changes in the sector.”
The other three categories in this year’s competition includes:
The ‘start-up innovator of the year’ award, which has a €10,000 prize, as well as mentoring and specialist supports from Enterprise Ireland advisers.The ‘green impact award’ is for a company whose solution is focused on driving sustainable progress in the sector.The ‘innovation arena champion award’ is for established companies with a focus on scaling and innovation and who are exploring new global opportunities.On the first day of this year’s Ploughing, the live competition will see 12 finalists - three per category - selected to take part in a live pitching competition to a panel of judges and public audience.
NPA managing director Anna May McHugh commented: “The innovation arena remains an important feature of the National Ploughing Championships, highlighting Irish innovators who are making a positive impact both at home and abroad.
“We are pleased to continue our partnership with Enterprise Ireland for 2026. The arena provides a valuable platform for Irish agri-tech businesses to showcase their solutions and connect with industry and international audiences.”
Agri-tech hub
The ’agri-tech hub’ exhibition space also returns to this year’s innovation arena, where Irish agri-tech entrepreneurs can exhibit their innovations.
Successful applicants will be offered an exhibition space within the Enterprise Ireland innovation arena at the National Ploughing Championships, which is returning to Screggan, Tullamore, Co Offaly, from 15 to 17 September.
Entries for this year’s competition must be submitted by the extended deadline of 5pm on Thursday 7 May.
To enter this year’s innovation awards, click here.
Enterprise Ireland has announced a new young innovator of the year award for this year’s Enterprise Ireland's innovation arena competition at the 2026 National Ploughing Championships.
It aims to recognise new innovations from the next generation that deliver sustainable change to futureproof the sector.
Enterprise Ireland’s innovation arena is hosted annually in partnership with the National Ploughing Association (NPA) and features as one of the most visited stands, with this year’s theme being ‘helping Irish agribusiness go global’.
The next generation
The addition of the young innovator award places focus on how the next generation is using science and technology to create innovations, products and services that will deliver efficiencies across the industry.
Applications from second- and third-level students will also be accepted for this award.
Innovation arena project manager at Enterprise Ireland James Maloney said: “We are really excited about this category, as so many of this talented generation of innovators are harnessing tools and technologies to deliver cutting-edge solutions with the potential to solve complex global challenges and we look forward to giving some of these exciting innovations a platform at one of Europe’s largest outdoor events.”
Innovation arena
The innovation arena at the Ploughing provides innovators with the opportunity to showcase their creations to the public and to also engage with customers and international buyers.
Enterprise Ireland said: “With four categories in this year’s innovation arena competition, applications are now being invited from Irish-owned companies and innovators who are delivering future-focused solutions with the ability to deliver sustainable changes in the sector.”
The other three categories in this year’s competition includes:
The ‘start-up innovator of the year’ award, which has a €10,000 prize, as well as mentoring and specialist supports from Enterprise Ireland advisers.The ‘green impact award’ is for a company whose solution is focused on driving sustainable progress in the sector.The ‘innovation arena champion award’ is for established companies with a focus on scaling and innovation and who are exploring new global opportunities.On the first day of this year’s Ploughing, the live competition will see 12 finalists - three per category - selected to take part in a live pitching competition to a panel of judges and public audience.
NPA managing director Anna May McHugh commented: “The innovation arena remains an important feature of the National Ploughing Championships, highlighting Irish innovators who are making a positive impact both at home and abroad.
“We are pleased to continue our partnership with Enterprise Ireland for 2026. The arena provides a valuable platform for Irish agri-tech businesses to showcase their solutions and connect with industry and international audiences.”
Agri-tech hub
The ’agri-tech hub’ exhibition space also returns to this year’s innovation arena, where Irish agri-tech entrepreneurs can exhibit their innovations.
Successful applicants will be offered an exhibition space within the Enterprise Ireland innovation arena at the National Ploughing Championships, which is returning to Screggan, Tullamore, Co Offaly, from 15 to 17 September.
Entries for this year’s competition must be submitted by the extended deadline of 5pm on Thursday 7 May.
To enter this year’s innovation awards, click here.
SHARING OPTIONS