The AgTechUCD Innovation Centre has announced the nine start-ups selected to participate in University College Dublin’s (UCD) new accelerator programme dedicated to early-stage AgTech and FoodTech start-up companies.

The inaugural AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme, which began this week, is an intensive 12-week virtual programme which includes: Dedicated business development workshops; investor readiness training; mentoring from AgTech and FoodTech experts and business advisors; guest speakers; and facilitated introductions to AgTechUCD’s venture capital and business angel networks.

Participating start-ups are based in Cork; Donegal; Dublin; Galway; Limerick; Roscommon; Westmeath; in addition to Northern Ireland and Tunisia.

Programme applications were also received from start-ups based in Chile; Croatia; England; Greece; Hungary; Italy; Kenya; the Netherlands; and Ukraine.

Tom Flanagan, director of enterprise and commercialisation, NovaUCD, said: "We are delighted with the calibre and global potential of the start-ups selected to participate in the inaugural AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme.

AgTechUCD, based at UCD Lyons Farm and part of NovaUCD, is focused on accelerating the launch and scaling of AgTech and FoodTech start-ups in Ireland.

It has been funded through the Regional Enterprise Development Fund administered by Enterprise Ireland.

AgTechUCD aims to support founding entrepreneurs as they build their innovative businesses into leading enterprises, though the AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme.

It provides access to incubation space and to on-farm testing for new products and services at UCD Lyons Farm.

Niamh Collins, manager, AgTechUCD Innovation Centre said: "During the next 12-weeks, the AgTechUCD Agccelerator programme will focus on supporting the commercial development of the nine participating start-ups.

“AgTech has already established key relationships with strategic players in the agtech and foodtech sectors in Ireland, across Europe and in the US, which will now leverage to support the participating start-ups to launch their products or services into new territories," she added.

The Agccelerator Programme will conclude in early-December when participating start-ups will pitch their businesses to a panel of investors with the opportunity to be awarded prize funding in a number of award categories.

Partners on the AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme include: AIB; The Yield Lab Europe; Bimeda; Devenish; Carberry; Origin Enterprises; Ornua; and HerdWatch which are providing financial and mentoring support.

Additional mentoring support will be provided by Greencore; Kubota; Dairymaster; Dawn Farms; the Virtual Vet; IFAC; Finistere; Macra Na Feirme; HBAN; and Atlantic Bridge.

Participating start-ups will have access to specific supports from AWS Activation; Catalyze; Deloitte; and FR Kelly.

The nine start-ups selected for the UCD programme are as follows: