Teagasc, BIM and TUS jointly host Freshwater AQUAHACK event at Mount Lucas Biowetlands IMTA Demonstrator Site
The Freshwater AQUAHACK event, held on 1 and 2 July at the Circular Integrated Multi-trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) demonstration site at Biowetlands in Mount Lucas, County Offaly, brought together 18 researchers from Irish research-performing institutions for a two-day immersive innovation experience.
Pictured at the Freshwater AQUAHACK event, in Mount Lucas, County Offaly were the winning team (CURE), with the judges, receiving their prizes: (L-R) Niall O‘Rahelly, Enterprise Ireland (judge); Eugenia Mazzara, Teagasc; Dr. Gillian Barry, TUS (judge); Animesh Singh Sengar, Teagasc; Kajal Bhapkar, ATU; and Professor Marcel Jansen, UCC (judge).
This event was designed to introduce early career researchers to Ireland’s emerging freshwater algae sector, while building entrepreneurial skills through hands-on ideation, mentorship, and a structured Aquahack challenge. The expertise of BIM partners Hatch Blue in running venture development programs and innovation challenges in aquaculture and the regenerative blue economy was key to its success.
As a key activity within the Teagasc/Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) partnership to enhance support for seafood companies in food innovation and the bioeconomy, the Freshwater AQUAHACK event also strengthens collaborative engagement with TUS, using the IMTA site as a real-world setting to encourage researchers to develop commercially focused ideas.
The IMTA site hosts an ambitious, commercially focused, interdisciplinary bioeconomy demonstration project (CIRCULAR IMTA DEMO) led by the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) and co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the EU Just Transition Fund Programme 2021–2027. This multi-party project, including Teagasc, harnesses this novel recirculating, peatland-based, IMTA site to demonstrate high-value commercial bio-products at scale, using local agri-food waste streams in the Midlands Just Transition Territory.
Over the two days of Freshwater AQUAHACK, participants toured the IMTA facilities, received expert training in customer discovery, IP (Intellectual Property) commercialisation, and pitching, and developed and presented innovative solutions to external judges. The winning team delivered an outstanding pitch focused on developing sensor probes to detect heavy metal accumulation in salmonids, while all team pitches were recognised for their excellent quality.
The event, funded by Teagasc, TUS and BIM, demonstrated the value of combining research expertise and curious minds, with industry-focused challenge design, and access to specialist infrastructure to support early-stage innovation and entrepreneurial thinking in Ireland’s freshwater algae and aquaculture sectors.
Dr. Gillian Barry, Head of Innovation and Enterprise, TUS commented; “The Aquahack demonstrated how needs-led innovation can rapidly transform real industry challenges into commercially relevant opportunities. The quality of the ideas developed in two days was exceptional, highlighting the potential of the Mount Lucas IMTA site to accelerate sustainable aquaculture innovation, create new value chains, and support future venture creation and commercialisation.”
Miriam Walsh, Senior Industry Engagement and IP Portfolio manager at Engage@Teagasc commented: “We are delighted with the success of this event, truly built on common goals of Teagasc, BIM and TUS to develop entrepreneurial skills and innovation to benefit the bioeconomy sector. Together, we’re fostering the innovation and collaboration needed to build a more sustainable future for freshwater and aquaculture, and broader bioeconomy, and look forward to furthering collaborations in the future.”
Damien Toner, Aquatech Business Manager, BIM commented: “We were delighted to host this event at the Mount Lucas Circular IMTA Demonstration Facility. Supported through funding from the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF), this event brought together talented researchers from across Ireland to explore new opportunities within the freshwater bioeconomy. Through our collaboration with Teagasc, TUS and Hatch Blue, participants had the opportunity to develop innovative solutions to real-world challenges in sustainable aquaculture and circular resource use.”