The accelerator will welcome agtech and foodtech developers for a 12-week programme, with Atlantic Bridge among those providing mentoring.

University College Dublin (UCD) launched a new accelerator programme today that will focus on early-stage agtech and foodtech developers. The AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme, operated through UCD’s AgTechUCD Innovation Centre, will run for 12-weeks from September. The programme is being funded through the Enterprise Ireland-managed Regional Enterprise Development Fund. Financial services firm AIB, agrifood fund Yield Lab Europe, veterinary pharmaceuticals producer Bimeda, food ingredients manufacturer Carberry, animal feeds supplier Devenish, agronomy services provider Origin Enterprises, dairy cooperative Ornua and farm management software developer HerdWatch are supplying financial and mentoring support. Atlantic Bridge, the venture capital firm that runs the spinout-focused University Bridge Fund, will also offer mentoring support, as will food company Greencore, heavy equipment manufacturer Kubota, dairy machinery producer Dairymaster, animal health service Virtual Vet, rural youth organisation Macra Na Feirme and venture firm Finistere. Niamh Collins, manager of AgTechUCD Innovation Centre, said: “In addition to helping participating startups with their commercial development, the programme will also shine a spotlight on the startups, enabling them to increase their visibility and attract new customers and investors and to develop new partnerships. “The programme team has built strong relationships with strategic players in the ag and food tech sector in Europe and in the US, which will help the startup founders to launch their products or services into new territories. We now look forward to working with our first cohort on our inaugural AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme.” Pictured (l-r) at the launch of the AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme at UCD Lyons Farm are Shane Whelan, agri-strategist, AIB; Nicky Deasy, managing partner, The Yield Lab Europe; Niamh Collins, manager, AgTechUCD Innovation Centre; and James Maloney, senior regional development executive, Enterprise Ireland. (Credit: Conor McCabe Photography).

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Thierry Heles

Thierry Heles is the editor of Global University Venturing, host of the Beyond the Breakthrough interview podcast and responsible for the monthly GUV Gazette (sign up here for free).