Are you an AgTech Start Up?

The Yield Lab Europe is now accepting applications from innovative tech firms in the sustainable agtech and food production sectors. Backed by Enterprise Ireland and AIB, there is an accelerator fund of €100,000 and a larger follow on fund of up to €2 million.

The Yield Lab Europe invests in companies that revolutionise the agriculture and food production systems from farm to fork. This includes technologies in crop production, animal health and welfare, precision agriculture, supply chain/logistics, food ingredients, supply chain, food processing and packaging.

The fund will invest in companies that improve the financial and environmental sustainability of how we produce food, helping to reduce the contribution of the sector to climate change and environmental pollution, whilst simultaneously improving the incomes of farmers and food processors.

The Yield Lab Europe currently has nine companies in its portfolio, four of which are Irish. Carlow-based, Microgen Biotech recently won global recognition, winning the Agtech & Food Category at the Samsung Extreme Tech Challenge (XTC) competition, selected from over 2,400 companies across 80 countries. Dr Xuemei Germaine, Founder & CEO, also took home the Female Founder Award. The company uses microbe technology to prevent the uptake of toxic heavy metals into our food.

Cork-based ApisProtect uses technology to help commercial beekeepers monitor and improve the health of their honey bees. Meath-based insect farm Hexafly uses black soldier flies to upcycle brewing waste into high value proteins, oils and natural fertilisers.

Animal health company, MicroSynbiotiX based in Cork develops a microalgae oral vaccine technology platform to reduce antibiotic usage and tackle disease in aquaculture.

Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Nicky Deasy said:

“Climate change is the single biggest threat to mankind. Agriculture remains the single largest contributor to Ireland’s overall greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 34%. At The Yield Lab Europe, we are backing the best technologies to drive Ireland’s agricultural system towards carbon neutral status over the next 10 years”.

The Yield Lab Europe is now accepting final applications, closing date has been extended to 25th September. To apply visit: www.yieldlab.ie