Calling All AgTech Start-Ups — New Yield Lab Accelerator with €21m Investment Fund

The Yield Lab Europe Irish venture capital fund which invests in and scales early stage, European innovative tech firms in the sustainable agrifood sector; is now accepting applications for its 2020 specialist accelerator programme.

The Yield Lab Europe invests in early-stage, deep tech companies with technologies to improve the carbon footprint and the broader environmental footprint of the agrifood industry, whilst improving the profitability of the industry.

The Yield Lab Europe has an overall investment fund of €21 million, backed by Enterprise Ireland, AIB and others, which includes an accelerator. Successful companies receive €100,000, and the best of these companies can progress to securing up to €2m in equity investment.

In addition, The Yield Lab Europe provides profile, access to individualised mentoring from industry experts, access to the premiere Agrifood Tech accelerator in Europe, and access to the Yield Lab global network of experts, corporates and investors all around the world, to enable companies to successfully scale and commercialise internationally.

The Yield Lab Europe currently has nine companies in its portfolio, four of which are Irish.

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.

Carlow-based Microgen Biotech uses microbe technology to prevent the uptake of toxic heavy metals into our food.

Cork-based MicroSynbiotiX, is an animal health company who is developing 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”.

Closing date 28th August.

To apply visit: www.yieldlab.ie