AgTechUCD
AgTechUCD is a 2022-founded Dublin-based accelerator programme for early-stage AgTech, FoodTech, and VetTech startups in Ireland and Europe, hosted within University College Dublin and backed by UCD's AI, food, and bioeconomy research institutes.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1854
- HeadquartersDublin, Ireland
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What AgTechUCD does
AgTechUCD is an accelerator programme for early-stage startups operating in Ireland and Europe across the AgTech, FoodTech, and VetTech sectors, founded in 2022 and hosted within University College Dublin (UCD) in Dublin. The programme sits inside UCD's broader research and innovation infrastructure, which spans 16+ specialised institutes and centres including CeADAR (Ireland's National Centre for AI), Insight (data analytics), the UCD Institute of Food and Health, BiOrbic (bioeconomy), Food for Health Ireland, UCD Conway Institute, UCD Earth Institute, UCD Energy Institute, and Systems Biology Ireland. AgTechUCD's productised offerings include AI-powered agricultural applications — computer vision tools for crop and livestock disease detection, optimisation engines for water, fertiliser, and labour allocation, and supply chain traceability platforms — together with educational courses designed to upskill farmers and agricultural professionals in AI adoption.
The business is monetised through the typical blend of an Irish public university accelerator: government and EU research grants (€969.5M cumulative external funding capture since 2020, including €460M from the Irish Government for 7 'Rinn' research centres in 2026 and €8M via the SHIELD-6G Horizon Europe project), tuition and academic fees, industry-sponsored research partnerships (418 industry co-authorships 2020-2024), innovation and commercialisation revenue through NovaUCD (licensing, spin-outs, technology transfer), and philanthropic giving. The customer base is highly diversified across undergraduate and graduate students (over 2,558 graduate researchers alone), 418 industry partners, 480+ international partner institutions across 55+ countries, and Irish/EU government funding bodies. Go-to-market is largely direct through UCD's admissions channels (CAO helpline, peer-to-peer platform, webinars, open days) complemented by international student recruitment and direct research engagement offices. Founder Orla Feely leads the institution as President (appointed 1 May 2023 after a decade leading research, innovation, and impact).
AgTechUCD firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AgTechUCD
- Legal name
- University College Dublin
- Website
- https://ucd.ie
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1854
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- AgTechUCD is a 2022-founded Dublin-based accelerator programme for early-stage AgTech, FoodTech, and VetTech startups in Ireland and Europe, hosted within University College Dublin and backed by UCD's AI, food, and bioeconomy research institutes.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
AgTechUCD industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Startup Accelerator Services
- akta.pro primary industry
- Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Technical Universities with Entrepreneurship & Incubation Focus (EDAHAEAH)
Keywords
Where AgTechUCD is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Dublin
- HQ country
- Ireland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
AgTechUCD business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Research Grants and Funding: External research funding capture from competitive grants including Horizon Europe, European Research Council, government sources, and industry collaborations
- Tuition and Academic Fees: Revenue from undergraduate and graduate student tuition, including international students and part-time/flexible learning programmes
- Industry Research Partnerships: Co-authored research and sponsored projects with 418 companies between 2020-2024 generating industry research revenue
- Innovation and Commercialisation: Revenue from spin-out companies, technology transfer, licensing, and innovation activities through NovaUCD
- Philanthropy and Alumni Contributions: Donations, endowments, and alumni giving through UCD Foundation
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Part-time/Flexible Learning |
| Subscription | Annual | HEAR Scheme |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
AgTechUCD product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AgTechUCD operates an accelerator programme for early-stage startups in the AgTech, FoodTech, and VetTech sectors. Based at University College Dublin in Dublin, Ireland, the programme supports startups across Ireland and Europe with access to UCD's research, facilities, mentorship, and industry networks. The company was founded in 2022.
Product overview
AgTechUCD offers a portfolio of AI-powered agricultural technology solutions focused on improving farming productivity and sustainability. The core offerings include AI agriculture applications for disease detection, resource optimization, and supply chain transparency, supported by educational programs designed to help farmers and professionals adopt these technologies. The product portfolio is built on UCD's research infrastructure including CeADAR (Ireland's national AI centre) and Insight (data analytics centre), with emphasis on practical agricultural applications.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- AgTechUCD Accelerator Programme
- AI Agriculture Applications
- Agricultural Education Courses
Quantifiable outcome
- €969.5M external research funding captured since 2020
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use AgTechUCD
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
AgTechUCD technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability5 records
Feature11 records
AgTechUCD partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Over 480 International Partner InstitutionscoreActive global network of over 480 partner institutions across more than 55 countries worldwide. Includes student exchange, joint research, and academic collaboration agreements.
- 418 Industry Companies (2020-2024)coreUCD is Ireland's leader in industry engagement, having contributed to over 1,200 publications with industry partners and co-authored research with 418 companies since 2020.
- NexSys (Next Generation Energy Systems)coreAll-island multidisciplinary energy research programme hosted by UCD Energy Institute, in partnership with industry and eight other leading research institutions.
- BiOrbic - Ireland's National Bioeconomy Research CentrecoreIreland's National Bioeconomy Research Centre, based at UCD, promotes and develops Ireland's bioeconomy through excellent research and innovation by over 100 academics collaborating nationally.
- iCRAG - Centre for Applied GeosciencescoreResearch Ireland Centre for Applied Geosciences, based at UCD, works towards a sustainable world through innovative science and technologies.
- CeADAR - Ireland's National Centre for AIcoreIreland's national centre for AI supports businesses and organisations in Ireland to understand, adopt and leverage the benefits of AI and machine learning.
- Insight - Data Analytics CentrecoreOne of the largest data analytics centres in Europe, undertaking high impact research in data analytics with significant benefits for individuals, industry and society.
- I-Form - Research Ireland Centre for Advanced ManufacturingcoreResearch Ireland Centre for Advanced Manufacturing at UCD shaping the future of manufacturing through high-impact research into digital technologies applied to materials processing.
- Food for Health IrelandcoreTechnology centre based in UCD Institute of Food and Health connecting industry leaders to a nationwide network of world-class researchers and facilities.
- Systems Biology IrelandcoreInvestigating new precision approaches to disease using computational modelling, with a focus on cancer at a systems level, distinguished by in-house expertise in both experimental and computational biology.
- Precision Oncology IrelandcoreUnique consortium of universities, cancer charities, and international companies developing new diagnostics and therapeutics for personalised cancer treatment, based at UCD.
- SHIELD-6G Consortium (19 Partners)core€8M Horizon Europe 6G security project led by UCD, bringing together 19 elite international partners across industry, academia, and SMEs including UCD spin-out MBP.
- Co-Centre for Sustainable Food Systems (Ireland and UK)coreCollaborative research partnership across Ireland and the UK conducting the Largest Ever Household Food Study in Ireland.
- 40+ Erasmus Partner Universities (Europe)coreStudents guaranteed an Erasmus exchange place at partner universities in Germany, Austria, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, Spain and Chile.
- International Exchange Partners (Canada, Singapore, New Zealand, Australia)coreStudent exchange opportunities at partner universities in Canada, Singapore, New Zealand and Australia for semester or year abroad.
Scale indicators15 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
AgTechUCD competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- SVG Ventures-THRIVE: Global AgTech-focused accelerator and venture fund running multi-stage cohorts for startups across agrifood, foodtech and animal health verticals — directly comparable to AgTechUCD's vertical mandate.
- The Yield Lab: Global AgTech accelerator network with regional funds across the US, Europe, Latin America and Asia; operates 12-month accelerator cohorts for early-stage AgTech startups — closely mirrors AgTechUCD's mission.
- Radicle Growth: AgTech-focused accelerator and venture platform investing in early-stage startups tackling agriculture and food system challenges; comparable deal-flow focus to AgTechUCD.
- IndieBio (SOSV): Biology-focused accelerator within SOSV supporting startups in foodtech, agritech and biotech with strong science backing — overlaps with AgTechUCD's FoodTech/VetTech positioning.
Emerging players
- AgFunder: Venture capital platform and research/media operation focused on AgTech investing; adjacent to accelerators by providing deal-flow visibility and capital, comparable in vertical focus.
Broad incumbents
- Techstars: Global multi-sector accelerator running domain-specific programmes including an AgTech track; broad incumbent comparable in operating model if not in vertical focus.
- Y Combinator: Premier global generalist accelerator with growing AgTech and foodtech portfolio; broad incumbent that anchors deal-flow competition for AgTechUCD-quality founders.
Regional players
- NDRC: Irish government-backed digital and deep-tech accelerator investing in early-stage Irish startups; closest direct regional competitor to AgTechUCD in Ireland.
- Dogpatch Labs: Dublin-headquartered startup hub and accelerator operating CHQ Building and Pivot East programmes; comparable as a regional Irish startup acceleration player.
- Entrepreneur First: London-headquartered global accelerator investing in 'talent-first' deep-tech founders across Europe including agritech and biotech — comparable European early-stage platform.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
AgTechUCD social profiles
Digital presenceAgTechUCD financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AgTechUCD leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
AgTechUCD subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries16 records
AgTechUCD funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AgTechUCD M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments18 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about AgTechUCD
What does AgTechUCD do?
AgTechUCD operates an accelerator programme for early-stage startups in the AgTech, FoodTech, and VetTech sectors. Based at University College Dublin in Dublin, Ireland, the programme supports startups across Ireland and Europe with access to UCD's research, facilities, mentorship, and industry networks. The company was founded in 2022.
Is AgTechUCD a public or private company?
AgTechUCD is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was AgTechUCD founded?
AgTechUCD was founded in 1854.
Where is AgTechUCD based?
AgTechUCD is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, in the Europe region.
How does AgTechUCD make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Research Grants and Funding is the primary driver. The others are tuition and Academic Fees, industry Research Partnerships, innovation and Commercialisation and philanthropy and Alumni Contributions.
Who are AgTechUCD's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are SVG Ventures-THRIVE, The Yield Lab, Radicle Growth and IndieBio (SOSV). AgFunder is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Techstars and Y Combinator. Regional players are NDRC, Dogpatch Labs and Entrepreneur First.
Does AgTechUCD have an API?
No public API is recorded for AgTechUCD.
What industry is AgTechUCD in?
AgTechUCD's product category is Startup Accelerator Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANAAAM, Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated), with a secondary code of EDAHAEAH, Technical Universities with Entrepreneurship & Incubation Focus.