University College Dublin and Teagasc Commence Third FAST-IP Programme to Launch Next Wave of Agri-tech Start-ups

FAST-IP announced on Friday, 18 September that twelve (12) participants have commenced its third food and agriculture entrepreneurship programme dedicated to launching the next wave of agri-tech start-ups.

FAST-IP (Food and Agriculture Sustainable Technology Innovation Programme), a 12-month in-person specialist programme, is aimed at mid-career professionals and provides participants with the skills necessary to evaluate, select and validate ideas for new products and services in the agrifood sector, and to accelerate the commercialisation pathway of these ideas.

FAST-IP is delivered by the UCD School of Biosystems and Food Engineering and NovaUCD in partnership with Teagasc at the AgTechUCD Innovation Centre, UCD Lyons Farm in Co. Kildare, under the Innovators’ Initiative Programme which is managed by Enterprise Ireland.

Three teams (Agriwave, BiCO and Mehal) which completed the inaugural FAST-IP programme have recently secured a total of €1.9 million in commercialisation funding from Enterprise Ireland to progress the translation of their projects into commercially viable start-ups over the next 2-years. Twenty-one (21) participants have completed the two FAST-IP programmes delivered to date.

[See further details below on the Agriwave, BiCO and Mehal projects.]

Emma Callinan, Director of Spin-outs and Research Commercialisation, Enterprise Ireland, said, “Developing globally ambitious, innovation-driven companies from Ireland’s research and knowledge base is a key priority for Enterprise Ireland. FAST-IP exemplifies the type of needs-led entrepreneurship that is central to this ambition, bringing talented individuals closer to customers and industry challenges, and equipping them to translate insight, research and innovation into commercially successful ventures.

We have high expectations for this cohort and look forward to seeing them build solutions that can strengthen Ireland’s agri-food sector, deliver sustainable impact, and create the next generation of internationally scaling Irish companies.”

Professor Nick Holden, UCD School of Biosystems and Food Engineering and Academic Director, FAST-IP, said, “We were delighted to have received just under 300 expressions of interest for this year’s FAST-IP programme which is a strong indication of the continuing demand for this exciting food and agriculture entrepreneurship programme.

I would especially like to congratulate the 12 participants who have been selected for the third programme, following a rigorous interview process, and I wish them every success over the coming year. Over the next 12-months they will work together to discover real world needs in the food and agricultural sector through immersive experiences in agri-food environments and develop innovative solutions to address the identified needs in a commercially viable manner with the aim of creating the next wave of agri-tech start-ups.”

FAST-IP, aligned with Ireland’s national agrifood strategy, Food Vision 2030, aims to support establishing Ireland as a leader in sustainable food systems by balancing climate-smart agriculture, environmental and economic sustainability, and innovation.

Dr Siobhán Jordan, Head of Technology Transfer and Commercialisation, Teagasc, said, “Attracting the 12 high-calibre FAST-IP participants with the ambition and ability to translate ideas into impact is critical to Ireland’s agri-food innovation ecosystem. Through FAST-IP, Teagasc and UCD are developing a pipeline of innovators with the potential to create new solutions, businesses, and opportunities that can make a real difference to the future of Ireland’s agri-food sector.”

FAST-IP uses needs-led innovation methodologies and has a practical focus. Through the programme participants will learn how to conduct needs-led innovation to develop market validated solutions to unmet needs in the areas of agricultural technology and food sustainability sectors. Participants will also spend 8-10 weeks immersed in agricultural environments including farms, food processing companies and Teagasc locations throughout the programme.

Sasha Dunne, who recently completed the second FAST-IP programme said, “The last 12 months has been an incredible journey and I am excited for the next chapter with my Alma Grana team as we progress our innovative solution to address the major challenge and impact of grassweeds in wheat production. I wish the participants in the third programme all the very best, they have an intense but very exciting and rewarding year ahead.”

Naomi Flood, Southern Regional Assembly, said, “The Southern Regional Assembly is delighted to support FAST-IP through the Southern, Eastern & Midland Regional Programme 2021–27. Initiatives such as FAST-IP play an important role in strengthening Ireland’s innovation capacity, supporting entrepreneurial talent and helping promising ideas in the agri-food sector develop into solutions with real economic and societal impact.”

During this year’s programme UCD and Teagasc, with strong reputations for academic and research excellence in the areas of Sustainable Food Systems, Agriculture, and Food Science, will be utilising their extensive networks, connections, domain expertise, entrepreneurial experience, and track-record for supporting, fostering and spinning out start-up companies.

FAST-IP is accredited by UCD at Level 9 on the National Qualifications Framework and participants who complete the programme will be awarded a Graduate Diploma in Agrifood Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Applications for the fourth (2027/28) FAST-IP programme will open in early 2027.

FAST-IP is supported under the Innovators’ Initiative Programme co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the Southern, Eastern & Midland Regional Programme 2021-2027.