Autocoupler Named Winner of 2025 AgTechUCD One to Watch Award
Autocoupler, based in Lisdowney, Co. Kilkenny, was today announced as the winner of the 2025 AgTechUCD One to Watch Award at the completion of University College Dublin’s (UCD) fourth AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme at UCD Lyons Farm.
The patented Autocoupler system allows a loader to attach to any agricultural implement, automatically coupling the loader’s hydraulic circuit to the implement and then locking the implement in place with the loader’s locking system.
The novel Autocoupler system makes changing implements quick and easy, with no delays or time loss in comparison to existing manual and time consuming systems. In addition the Autocoupler system has safety advantages over conventional systems as the operator does not have to leave the ca
b of the machine when attaching or disconnecting any attachment or implement.
The 12-week AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme, tailored to address the needs and challenges facing AgTech and Agrifood start-ups, was focused on fast tracking the business development and leadership skills of participants and on providing them with the support and guidance needed to accelerate the growth and development of their start-ups.
Pictured (l-r) at the AgTechUCD Innovation Centre at UCD Lyons Farm are David Bowles, The Yield Lab, Faye Walsh Drouillard, WakeUp Capital, Seamus Kenny, founder, Autocoupler, winner of the 2025 AgTechUCD One to Watch Award, James Maloney, Enterprise Ireland and Gary Ryan, Director, AgTechUCD.
Gary Ryan, Director, AgTechUCD, said, "I would like to congratulate Autocoupler, on being named the overall winner of our fourth AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme. This programme supports the commercial development of the participating start-ups by helping them to further develop their innovative solutions, enhance their marketplace visibility, attract new customers and investors and build new partnerships at home and further afield. I wish Autocoupler every success for the future as they continue their entrepreneurial journey.”
Seamus Kenny, founder, Autocoupler, said, “It is a great honour for me to accept the 2025 AgTechUCD One to Watch Award following the completion of the latest AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme. Our next step is to target the agricultural and construction implement manufacture market with our novel system which allows loader operators to change an implement without leaving their seat, in 4 seconds, at the touch of a button.”
He added, “I would like to thank AgTechUCD and Enterprise Ireland for their ongoing support and also to thank Noreside Engineering Group, who have supported the physical engineering and prototype phase of developing the Autocoupler system, and acknowledge the financial support and advice received from the Kilkenny Local Enterprise Office.”
Thirty-four (34) start-ups have now completed the four AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme delivered to date. Start-ups which have completed the programmes include; Cotter AgriTech, Moonsyst, MyGug, OptaHaul, Pitseal, Proveye, Silicate, and TrojanTrack.
AgTechUCD, which is part of NovaUCD, is focused on promoting and accelerating the launch and scaling of start-ups and SMEs, in Ireland and internationally, with disruptive innovations in the agtech, agri-food and vettech sectors, as they build their innovative businesses into leading job creating companies on the global stage.
AgTechUCD, funded through the Regional Enterprise Development Fund administered by Enterprise Ireland, supports founding entrepreneurs as they build their innovative businesses into leading enterprises, through the AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme, and by providing access to incubation offices and labs and preferred access to on-farm testing for new products and services at UCD Lyons Farm.
The AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme included dedicated business development workshops and investor readiness training, mentoring from industry experts and business advisors, guest speakers and facilitated introductions to AgTechUCD’s venture capital and business angel networks.
Autocoupler was named winner of the Award following a final pitching event, held at the AgTechUCD Innovation Centre at UCD Lyons Farm in Co. Kildare. The members of the judging panel were; James Maloney, Enterprise Ireland, Faye Walsh Drouillard, WakeUp Capital and David Bowles, The Yield Lab.
The other start-ups (profiled below) which completed the fourth AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme in addition to Autocoupler were; Aerial Ag Ireland, Evogen, IONA Minerals, Lurra Bio, RoboCrop and Weighless Wonders.
Programme partners included, AIB, Enterprise Ireland, Herdwatch, IFAC, The Yield Lab and Thrive/SVG Ventures.
ENDS
16 January 2025
For further information contact Micéal Whelan, Communications and Media Relations Manager, UCD Research and Innovation, e: miceal.whelan@ucd.ie.
Editors Notes
Profiles of the other participating start-ups in the fourth AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme;
Aerial Ag Ireland (Dublin) specialises in advanced agricultural drone services and products, offering multispectral imaging, precision aerial crop spraying, seeding, and fertilisation, using cutting-edge agricultural drone technology. Founder Daniel O’Reilly completed the programme. www.aerialag.ie
Evogen (Dublin) helps dairy farmers maximise profits through smarter genetic selection. The Evogen platform uses advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence to analyse farm-specific environmental factors, taking the guesswork out of breeding decisions. Founder Andrew Moore completed the programme. www.evogen.io/
IONA Minerals (Anglesey, North Wales) is a distributer of natural minerals with the aim to provide innovative solutions to help mitigate vast environmental pollution challenges - pollution found on the land, in waterways and in the air. Managing Director Selwyn Owen completed the programme.
Lurra Bio (Co. Cork) is focused on developing a platform of bio-based solutions designed for real-world applications. Lurra Bio's aim is to reduce global dependence on fossil fuels by accelerating the adoption of renewable, biobased products that engage directly with consumers and show what is possible in industrial materials. Lurra Bio is working on a biobased fertiliser coating to replace current fertiliser coatings made of plastic polymers. Founders Jack Norman, Fionn McCarthy and Eoin Keller completed the programme. https://lurrabio.com/
RoboCrop is dedicated to revolutionising agricultural production through advanced robotic systems. RoboCrop specialises in developing innovative monitoring and managing systems for a diverse range of agricultural crops, empowering farmers with data-driven insights for optimising yields and minimising environmental impacts. Lead promotor Dr Gary Gillespie, UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, completed the programme.
Weighless Wonders is committed to empowering individuals to achieve their health goals through informed choices. The company’s flagship product, NutraVerse, is an innovative food tracking app that goes beyond calorie counting by offering comprehensive insights into nutrition, food processing, and environmental impact, using Nutri-Score, NOVA Score, and Eco Score, NutraVerse. Founder Caraldine Nolan completed the programme. https://weighlesswonders.ie/
The goal of AgTechUCD is to bring together the AgTech and FoodTech ecosystem in Ireland to accelerate the launch and scaling of AgTech and FoodTech companies. AgTechUCD, led by NovaUCD, and funded through the Regional Enterprise Development Fund administered by Enterprise Ireland. https://www.ucd.ie/innovation/about-agtechucd/ and @AgTechUCD