Kilkenny Start-Up Named Winner of AgTechUCD Award at 2024 National Ploughing Championship
AgTechUCD today announced Auto Coupler, an early-stage start-up from Johnstown in Co. Kilkenny, as the winner of the AgTechUCD Award at the 2024 National Ploughing Championships which took place place this week in Ratheniska, Co. Laois.
Auto Coupler allows a tractor's 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 Auto Coupler system, showcased in Enterprise Ireland's Innovation Arena, can be retrofitted to new or existing loaders.
By winning this Award the company has secured a place on AgTechUCD’s fourth dedicated accelerator programme dedicated to early-stage start-ups with innovative products and services in the AgTech, agri-food, equine and veterinary sectors, and who have ambition to grow and scale on the global stage.
The 2024 AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme, commencing next month, is an intensive 12-week hybrid programme and includes 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.
The in-person workshops take place at the AgTechUCD Innovation Centre at UCD Lyons Farm in Co. Kildare.
Seamus Kenny, founder, Auto Coupler said, "I am delighted to have been selected for the AgTechUCD Award at this year's Enterprise Ireland Innovation Arena and I am excited to secure a place on this year’s AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme which I believe will really help me to grow my business.”
Gary Ryan, Director, AgTechUCD, said, “I would like to congratulate Auto Coupler on winning the AgTechUCD Award at this year’s National Ploughing Championship and we look forward to welcoming them onto our Agccelerator programme in October.
We tailor this programme to address the specific needs and challenges facing start-ups in the AgTech and Agri-food sectors with the aim of fast tracking the business development and leadership skills of participants. Our overall objective is provide participants with support and guidance to help them to accelerate their start-ups onto the Irish and indeed the international market.”
Twenty-seven (27) start-ups have completed the AgTechUCD Agccelerator programme over the last three years including; Cotter Agritech, Moonsyst, MyGug and Pitseal.
AgTechUCD, which is part of NovaUCD, has been funded through by Enterprise Ireland through the Regional Enterprise Development Fund.
The 2024 AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme will conclude in January 2025 when participating start-ups will pitch their businesses to a panel of investors with the opportunity to be awarded prize funding.
The closing date for applications to participate in the 2024 AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme is 23 September 2024 and for further information and to apply visit https://www.ucd.ie/innovation/agtechucd-agccelerator-programme/
ENDS
19 September 2024
For further information contact Micéal Whelan, Communications and Media Relations Manager, UCD Research and Innovation, NovaUCD, e: miceal.whelan@ucd.ie.
Editors Notes
AgTechUCD promotes and accelerates early-stage startups and SMEs with disruptive innovations in Ireland and Europe in the AgTech, Agrifood, Veterinary and Equine sectors, as they build their innovative businesses into leading enterprises. Based at the AgTechUCD Innovation Centre at UCD Lyons Farm in Co. Kildare, AgTechUCD offers the only on-farm workspace hub to promote and accelerate agri-businesses and start-ups. https://www.ucd.ie/innovation/about-agtechucd/