Student Inc. has announced the national launch of its 13-week student accelerator summer programme. Backed by a network of 9 Irish universities, an international university, and the Higher Education Authority (HEA), Student Inc. will provide 75 students across Ireland with the opportunity to turn their entrepreneurial ideas into reality in the summer of 2025.

The programme, originally developed by Munster Technological University and the Rubicon Centre, offers €4,000 in seed funding, intensive coaching from seasoned entrepreneurs and investors, and a hands-on learning experience. Throughout the summer, students will engage in workshops and mentoring sessions aimed at developing practical innovation skills and navigating the complexities of the business world. For the 2025 iteration there is a specific strand of the programme geared to the creative sector, Creative Student Inc.. This is being spearheaded by IADT Media Cube.

Student Inc. has already supported the launch of over 30 student start-ups, including notable ventures like Gasgon Medical, founded by MTU alumnus Vincent Forde. His company has transformed safety in intravenous infusion within hospitals.

Through a hybrid delivery model, Student Inc. ensures a broad geographical reach, allowing students to stay at their home universities and campus incubators, surrounded by experienced entrepreneurs while benefiting from world-class mentoring and training online. This approach promotes nationwide participation and connects students from various disciplines with industry leaders, mentors, and like-minded peers.

A recent enhancement to the programme includes the integration of Universal Design (UD) principles, providing participants with the tools to incorporate accessibility and inclusivity into product development from the outset. This forward-thinking addition ensures that Student Inc. continues to lead in fostering innovation that benefits all.

An external evaluation has awarded Student Inc. an exceptional Net Promoter Score of 85, placing it among the top entrepreneurial programmes worldwide.

Carole O'Leary, Student Inc. Programme Manager, stated: "We are thrilled to see the continued growth and success of Student Inc. as the programme gains momentum and delivers even greater impact each year. With 41% of alumni launching businesses after completing the accelerator and an additional 36% planning to start a business in the future, the programme has clearly had a transformative effect. Students consistently emphasize the value of collaborating in multidisciplinary teams and cultivating entrepreneurial mindsets as some of the key benefits of their participation."

The upcoming campaign, set to launch in the New Year, will spotlight the success stories of Student Inc. alumni, feature inspiring testimonials, and showcase engaging events aimed at attracting Ireland's next generation of student innovators. Applications for the summer 2025 programme are now open to all students from the partner universities, welcoming applicants from any discipline or year of study.

For more information, visit https://www.studentinc.ie/.

ShopLK, Letterkenny's shop local initiative, has attained a record breaking year of sales, the 20th consecutive year of growth for the programme.

Annual sales of ShopLK Gift Cards for 2024 reached €7,059,234, an increase of €1.3m on 2023, making the program the top selling local gift card in Ireland. The initiative celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2024

The record breaking year of shop local sales for Letterkenny follows an increase in corporate sales and the introduction of a raft of technological advancements for the programme including the digital ShopLK Gift Card and the ability to pick up cards in person and load with value.

Commenting on the most recent achievement, Claire McDonough, Chamber President said: "Each year since our ShopLK Gift Cards were launched, we have had year on year sales increases. We were cautious this year with making a prediction after hitting such a huge milestone last year, so we have been blown away by this figure that has far exceeded all our expectations.

"Our corporate sales continue to increase as businesses chose the ShopLK Gift Card as a reward for their employees and this year we welcomed new corporate customers from around the county recognising that Letterkenny is regarded as the main retail centre of the county.

"Corporate sales are only part of the success story. The Chamber Office and the pop-up shop in The Courtyard Shopping centre were busier than ever right up to Christmas eve. This year we also had the ShopLK digital card as an alternative to the physical card and the 'Load this Card' option has also proven really popular.

"As ShopLK Gift Cards are only redeemable in over 260 outlets in Letterkenny, this brings profit to the town and supports local jobs. ShopLK is all about supporting local shopping, sales of this level shows that the message has gotten through. Customers love the variety and the support it offers in their favourite outlets."

Toni Forrester, CEO at Letterkenny Chamber, commented: "What a busy year it was. 2024 saw us move into a new partnership with Town & City Gift Card provider Miconex; this has given us much more scope in terms of a digital offering that has proved very popular, web sales were also up on last year and all round we are now able to offer a better online service.

"As we headed into December we knew it was busy but this sales level has really surprised us. This is the biggest town scheme in Ireland and we appreciate our customers who have bought cards in their thousands and the many businesses who use ShopLK as their preferred employee reward."

The digital version of the ShopLK Gift Card can be added to digital wallets, enabling 'tap to pay' New digital technology for corporate organisations was also introduced in the latter part of 2024, allowing organisations to send ShopLK Gift Cards to multiple recipients at once, immediately or on a future date.

Colin Munro is the managing director of Miconex and said: "It has been fantastic to work alongside Letterkenny Chamber in 2024 to help take this trailblazing local gift card to the next level of growth. The introduction of the new digital ShopLK Gift Card for both consumers and corporate organisations enhanced accessibility and convenience of the card, encouraging even more people to make the move to local.

"With the Irish Revenue's Small Benefit Exemption Scheme now increased to €1,500 from January 1st, local gift cards like the ShopLK Gift Card give employers the chance to gift their staff a tax free benefit that also benefits their community."

Acknowledging the support of Donegal County Council, Claire McDonough added: "The financial support that we have had from the Donegal County Council, Letterkenny Milford MD, has really enabled us to elevate ShopLK over the years and really establish the brand. It has allowed us to promote Letterkenny across Donegal and the North West.

"Letterkenny Chamber could not run this highly successful initiative without the support of DSP Community Employment progr...

Equinix, the digital infrastructure company, has launched a guide to encourage effective and efficient management of digital files, and raise awareness of how this can support mental wellbeing.

Many of us are hoarding tens - or even hundreds - of thousands of photos, emails, and documents, never to be viewed again. Dr Susan Albers, a clinical psychologist at the Cleveland Clinic, recently stated that storing too many digital items on our devices can lead to anxiety and stress. In fact, she says, it can be just as stressful as having a cluttered home, as our brains yearn for simplicity.

In reality, our digital clutter does have a physical presence… in data centres. Equinix has approximately 270 data centres around the world with an extraordinary amount of data flowing through them. Digital infrastructure, serving as the backbone of today's economy, encompasses connectivity that touches our everyday lives. It connects all of our digital devices and enables everything from online banking to improved health diagnoses, to communicating with friends and family, and getting us to work (think: digital travelcards, wallets, alarms and our entertainment or email-checking on the way into the office).

While data has brought untold benefits to human capabilities and our societies, the amount of information and images we are exposed to everyday can be overwhelming. To address this issue, Equinix has teamed up with Sarah Reynolds, founder of Organised Chaos, a company helping individuals to unclutter their daily lives - both physically and virtually.

Top 10 Tips for digital wellness:

1- Make a checklist.

Make a list of everything you want to clear out. This could be photos and videos, emails, drives, or apps on your phone. Then target one area at a time, once per week. By working on just one area at a time, you will focus the mind. Within two months, with consistency, you will find yourself in much better shape.

2 - Streamline your photos and videos.

Photos and videos are one of the main culprits of device clutter, causing undue stress and frustration when a person can't find the file they are looking for. This can be made more manageable by creating folders - using dates or categories - on your device, or through a secure third-party storage application. While you're organising, why not create a "Print" folder - next time you are at a shop, you can print the items in the folder and enjoy your best snaps.

Once you have organised and categorised the images you want to keep, you can delete any unwanted or duplicated files. Result: less stuff holding you back and less cost for storage!

3- Aim for inbox zero.

Newsletters and email alerts are a major factor in clogging up inboxes, but inbox zero is possible!

Many email providers offer notifications for when you are subscribing to email updates you don't read. There are also apps available that can unsubscribe you in bulk. This will help to streamline existing emails.

Then, make yourself a policy that every time you receive an email you know you don't want to read, unsubscribe immediately. Additionally, consider a separate email address only to be used for subscriptions.

For emails you want to keep, use your folder system to categorise emails by topic or sender.

4 - Organise your computer - desktop, downloads and files.

Just as a countertop is not for storing items from the kitchen and things with no 'home', or a desk surface is not for storing office items (this may come as a surprise to some!) - a desktop is not for storing digital files.

Start your desktop cleanup by sorting everything into folders. Then, take a look at your downloaded files, which can often be a source of digital junk! Make sure you have everything you need saved and categorised, while deleting anything you don't need.

Finally, ensure that every file on your computer has a folder and that every folder has a label. This is perhaps a once-a-year job, but it is good to go through each folder and make sure the files within are ...

Are you out of contract or looking for a better deal for your mobile phone? If so, there are some great SIM Only deals available in Ireland right now with huge savings to be made over long contract plans.

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Brian McDonald is a partner at Bay Advisory, a corporate finance firm helping founders navigate funding, scaling, and exiting their businesses. Brian first joined the show in 2021, and now, four years later, he returns to share updated insights on startup exits, valuations, and the evolving market landscape.

From the importance of staying true to your business identity to understanding deal structuring and negotiation tactics, Brian breaks down what founders need to know before, during, and after an exit. He also shares his thoughts on current trends, including valuation shifts, the rise of AI-driven businesses, and the significance of knowing when to walk away from a deal.

If you're a founder planning your next fundraising round or thinking about an exit, this episode is packed with actionable advice and real-world examples that you won't want to miss.

Key Takeaways:

1. Stay True to Your Business Identity:

Many founders feel pressured to present their business as a SaaS or AI-driven venture to attract investors, but Brian emphasizes the importance of positioning your business based on what it truly is rather than shaping it to fit investor expectations.

2. Avoid Venture Capital If You Plan to Keep Your Business Long-Term:

If you're building a business to own and operate for life, taking on investors expecting a return may not be the right move. Transparency about your vision is crucial in aligning with the right partners.

3. Consider Alternatives to Full Exits:

Founders don't have to sell their entire company to achieve financial security. Partial exits or taking some cash off the table while continuing to scale can be viable options.

4. Valuation Challenges in Today's Market:

Valuations fluctuate, and generic revenue multiples can be misleading. Founders should focus on comparable deals and be realistic about their company's value in the current market conditions.

5. Earnouts and Deal Structuring:

Few exits involve a full cash payout at closing. Earnouts based on future performance are common, and founders should aim for turnover-based earnouts rather than EBITDA-based, as buyers can manipulate EBITDA figures.

6. Know Your 'No' and Be Ready to Walk Away:

Understanding your bottom line in negotiations is critical. If a deal isn't right, having the confidence to walk away can save founders from making costly mistakes.

Notable Quotes from Brian McDonald:

"If you plan to keep your business for life, avoid taking on investors who expect a return."

"The key question I ask a founder thinking about an exit is 'What is it that you really want to do?"

"The best founders say to investors 'This is my business, this is what I'm doing. If this doesn't fit for you as an investor, that's okay, I'll bootstrap."

Market Trends and Strategic Insights:

Longer Deal Timelines: Exit processes that once took six months are now stretching to 9-12 months due to market shifts.

AI Bubble: Many businesses are branding themselves as AI-driven when they're not, which mirrors past trends seen with blockchain startups.

Corporate vs. PE Buyers: Corporates focus on strategic fit, while PE firms prioritize financials and growth potential.

Importance of Data Rooms: Keeping updated documentation can streamline fundraising or an acquisition process when the time comes.

Guest Details: Brian McDonald, Partner at Bay Advisory

Email: [email protected]

Website: BayAdvisory.ie

LinkedIn: Brian McDonald

Resources & Links:

Listen to Brian's first appearance on MoneyNeverSleeps in 2021 (episodes 118 and 119, Words of Advice, Parts 1 &2)

Learn more about Bay Advisory and their advisory services for founders

Brian referred to the book A Slight Edge by Jeff Olson in focusing on your niche at the earliest stages

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What a stellar line-up of speakers we had to kick off 2025: Pendulum Summit Speakers.

The Pendulum Summit was held last week in Dublin's Convention Centre on the 8th and 9th of January. Reviewed by Marie-Clare Byard @NowMediaLive.

This annual event brings together both local and international speakers from diverse fields, including psychology, technology, sport, military, AI, futurism, and more. Running for over a decade, it was founded by Irish former professional rugby star Frankie Sheahan and his wife, Norma Sheahan.

Nick Santonastasso - Overcoming Challenges - Personal Growth

Nick was born with a rare genetic disorder, Hanhart Syndrome, leaving him with no legs and only one arm. He was the 12th baby in medical history with this diagnosis. Growing up in New York City, he endured being called names like "cripple" and "freak" and was told he would never amount to anything. At 14, he contemplated suicide but found strength in fitness, bodybuilding and wrestling, an extraordinary choice given his physique.

He moved to Florida to pursue wrestling, he joined a gym, was invited to a mastermind group and went along, curious to see what it was about, here he connected with his now business partner.

At just 28, Nick had no idea who Tony Robbins was when his business partner promised to get him on stage with Robbins. Today, Nick is based in Dubai, motivating global audiences and working alongside Tony Robbins. As Nick says, "You are the sum of the people you surround yourself with."

https://x.com/Irish_TechNews/status/1876933342228095333

Ray Nolan - Entrepreneurship

Ray Nolan left school at 16, taught himself coding, and became a software expert. Observing the cumbersome process of booking hostels, he invested €100,000 to develop Hostelworld, which eventually sold for just over €200 million.

Not content to rest, Ray was back at work a week later. He pitched a bid to buy Skyscanner, but the deal didn't happen. Ray was later invited by the 3 owners to join Skyscanner as Chairman to help them exit. His secret? Informal pub chats with each founder to understand their true goals for the business and in life, he helped grow an initial $30 million offer to a $1.8 billion sale. His mantra? "Make it easy to buy."

https://x.com/Irish_TechNews/status/1876968516416311549

Dr. Heather McKee - Behavioural Psychology

"Happiness is the key to long-term success," said Dr Heather McKee. Combining academic research with practical insights, she helps people build sustainable habits.

Her advice: "Create a joy list" and layer habits onto moments of joy. She insists, "There's no secret ingredient. You are the only one who can change your habits."

Ask her about habits, and she'll dive deeper than you've ever seen.

https://x.com/Irish_TechNews/status/1876999939009482764

Jimmy Carr - Humour in Leadership

Jimmy's talk was as edgy as expected. He remarked that the cause of "woke culture" is the overproduction of elite schools!

He advocated teaching storytelling in schools to help people find their authentic voice. "The shortest distance between two people is a laugh," he said.

He also reflected on the pain of being cancelled, he observed, "It's not the words of your enemies, but the silence of your friends" that cuts deepest.

We are tribal and need to come together. Show the world who you are, not shouting affirmations in the mirror! Give empathy and agency to both those you like and don't like.

Dr. Lollie Mancey, Anthropologist, future readiness

"Knowledge is not in deficit, but be cautious about what you outsource to AI," advised Dr Lollie Mancey.

She emphasised that our brains, like our bodies, need regular exercise. "If you don't use it, you lose it."

Dr Mancey highlighted our growing dependence on technology, noting that losing our smartphone triggers the same "fight or flight" response as a physical threat, underscoring the emotional impact, when viewed under a brain scan. Our brains are now deeply intertwined with our smartphones!

On AI, she mentioned t...

How much time and money is your business losing to language barriers?

Even though our teams speak English, the language barrier is still considered one of the biggest challenges for global teams.

It doesn't just slow communication - it can disrupt your workflow, stall innovation, and prevent your teams from meeting (or exceeding) targets. Just how many opportunities have you missed, ideas lost in translation, or misalignments across teams have you experienced?

But with AI, these barriers are slowly and consistently breaking.

AI is changing how we see language differences from a hurdle to a strength - and it's time for you to take advantage of it.

Let's explore how multilingual AI can make your global teams more connected and inclusive.

The Multilingual Advantage: AI and Breaking Down Language Barriers

Have you ever nodded during a meeting without knowing what was going on? That's the reality for many global teams - simple tasks become frustrating because of the linguistic divide.

But AI is here to fix that. Here's how.

Clear communication, anywhere

Whether Japanese or Russian, multilingual AI can translate ideas and insights to ensure global teams can communicate and collaborate effectively.

Real-time solutions

AI translates content - reports, websites, documents - in real-time, allowing you to focus on getting work done.

One language, one team

Everything makes sense to everyone, from emails to meetings and projects, and no one gets lost in translation.

A voice for everyone

With everyone understanding each other, they can contribute - ideas won't get stuck behind small misunderstandings.

AI is integral to how global teams operate - these tools make language your advantage, not a challenge.

Learning with AI-Powered Knowledge Transfers

Language shouldn't decide who gets to learn or grow - and advanced AI tools are making it happen. With these tools, learning becomes a level playing field, removing the barriers that hold teams back. This seamless knowledge transfer allows you to develop your entire workforce, no matter where they are.

Leveraging tools for website localisation ensures your training resources and knowledge platforms are accessible to all.

They don't simply translate word-for-word; they localise the content, ensuring it's culturally relevant and easy to understand for diverse audiences.

From training portals to resource hubs and even onboarding materials, AI-powered knowledge transfer makes learning accessible without confusing translations.

Building Inclusive, Global Workplaces

Feeling left out of a conversation with your teammates is one thing, but feeling so because of language differences is another. For global teams, these gaps in language create distance, slowing progress and keeping bright ideas in the dark.

However, multilingual AI helps you build a close-knit global team. Here's how.

Brings Everyone In: AI translation tools ensure team members can understand and share ideas regardless of language.

Creates Real Understanding: These tools go beyond translation - they forge strong bonds across teams.

Encourages Participation: When employees feel included, they're more confident to speak up and contribute.

Fosters Creativity: Without language roadblocks, your teams can share and build ideas together - just like a team should.

AI translation tools fix communication issues and create a workplace where everyone feels valued and understood.

Collaborating on a Global Scale for Success

While it promises profits and opportunities for success, expanding on a global scale may become difficult - and it may have something to do with the language.

Language differences often come with the risk of misunderstandings and slow communication among teams, making collaboration inefficient.

However, AI translation tools result in more seamless collaboration and communication, enabling confident connections with partners, customers, and talents worldwide.

Advancements in tech, like AI PCs, enhance the speed and accuracy of your A...

A timely new report by climate scientists at the Irish Centre for High-End Computing (ICHEC) and funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Met Eireann and the Marine Institute addresses a research gap in previous regional climate projections for Ireland which showed large uncertainty for certain climate projections, such as precipitation. The Updated High-Resolution Climate Projections for Ireland increase confidence in climate projections for Ireland which, if realised, will impact Ireland's economy, society and environment in dramatic ways.

Dr Paul Nolan, Climate Scientist, ICHEC lead author of the report said: "It is imperative that planners and policymakers are adequately informed about future climate change so that appropriate mitigation and adaptation measures can be implemented. This research will inform national policy and further our understanding of the impacts of climate change in Ireland at a local scale."

Key Findings: What the Future Holds for Ireland's Climate

The updated projections offer a clearer picture of the climate changes Ireland can expect. Below are some of the key findings of the report:

Temperature: Near-surface temperatures are projected to rise by 0.5-0.7°C (2021-2050) under a low-emission scenario (SSP1-2.6), and by 2.4-3.0°C (2071-2100) under a high-emission scenario (SSP5-8.5), with the largest increases observed in eastern Ireland.

Extreme Weather: Heatwaves are expected to become more frequent, while frost and ice days will decrease. The rainfall climate is projected to become more variable across extremes; both dry spells and extreme rainfall events will intensify.

Precipitation: The rainfall climate will become more variable across the seasons. Winter and autumn months are projected to become wetter, while summer rainfall is expected to decrease by up to 8% by the end of the century.

Snowfall: Snowfall is expected to decline sharply, with reductions of up to 84% by 2100 under the highest emissions scenario.

Growing Seasons: The length of the growing season is projected to increase, benefiting agriculture with warmer soil temperatures and improved conditions for crop production.

Energy: Wind energy potential is projected to decrease, particularly in summer, while photovoltaic power is expected to decline across all seasons.

Heating Demand: With warmer winters, heating demand in Ireland is expected to decrease over the coming decades.

What's new in the latest report?

The research improves on previous research by simulating the future climate at a higher spatial resolution (4 km) using the most up-to-date regional climate models to downscale an ensemble of CMIP6 global datasets under the new SSP-RCP emission scenarios.

An increased ensemble size of projections was completed which allows for a more accurate quantification of climate change uncertainty. For example, there is disagreement in the ensembles for projections of annual rainfall, so this projection is assigned lower confidence. Conversely, there is high agreement in the ensemble of temperature projections, and as such we assign high confidence to this projection. Furthermore, the current report provides projections for additional climate variables and derived metrics that are critically important to biodiversity and to key Irish sectors, including agriculture, health, energy and transport.

The SSP-RCP scenario-based national projections are supplemented with global warming threshold (GWT) scenario projections. These alternative scenarios have garnered substantial interest since the 2015 Paris Agreement (a United Nations treaty in which 195 nations pledged to tackle climate change), which aims to limit global warming to "well below" 2°C by the end of the century, and "pursue efforts" to keep warming within the safer limit of 1.5°C (UN, 2015). For example, the projections under the "1.5°C GWT scenario" show projections over Ireland in a world that is 1.5°C warmer than the period 1850-1900 (Figure 5). Note that temperature pr...

HP Inc. has issued its latest Threat Insights Report, highlighting how threat actors are using malware kits and generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) to improve the efficiency of their attacks. Such tools are reducing the time and skill needed to create attack components, enabling attackers to focus on experimenting with techniques to bypass detection and trick victims into infecting their endpoints, such as embedding malicious code inside images.

The report provides an analysis of real-world cyberattacks, helping organisations to keep up with the latest techniques cybercriminals are using to evade detection and breach PCs in the fast-changing cybercrime landscape. Based on data from millions of endpoints running HP Wolf Security, notable campaigns identified by HP threat researchers include:

Malware-by-numbers kits: HP threat researchers observed large campaigns spreading VIP Keylogger and 0bj3ctivityStealer malware that leverage the same techniques and loaders, suggesting the use of malware kits to deliver different payloads. In both campaigns, attackers hid the same malicious code in images on file hosting websites like archive.org, as well as using the same loader to install the final payload. Such techniques help attackers circumvent detection, as image files appear benign when downloaded from well-known websites, bypassing network security like web proxies that rely on reputation.

GenAI helping to create malicious HTML documents: Researchers also identified an XWorm remote access trojan (RAT) campaign initiated by HTML smuggling, which contained malicious code that downloads and runs the malware. Notably, similar to an AsyncRAT campaign analysed in the previous quarter, the loader bore hallmarks that indicate that it may have been written with the help of GenAI, for example, including a line-by-line description and the design of the HTML page.

Gaming cheaters never prosper: Attackers are compromising video game cheat tools and modification repositories hosted on GitHub, adding executable files containing Lumma Stealer malware. This infostealer scrapes victims' passwords, crypto wallets, and browser information. Users frequently deactivate security tools to download and use cheats, putting them at greater risk of infection without isolation technology in place.

Alex Holland, Principal Threat Researcher in the HP Security Lab, comments:

"The campaigns analysed provide further evidence of the commodification of cybercrime. As malware-by-numbers kits are more freely available, affordable, and easy to use, even novices with limited skills and knowledge can put together an effective infection chain. Throw GenAI into the mix to write the scripts, and the barriers to entry get even lower. This allows groups to concentrate on tricking their targets and picking the best payload for the job - for instance, by targeting gamers with malicious cheat repositories."

By isolating threats that have evaded detection tools on PCs - but still allowing malware to detonate safely - HP Wolf Security has specific insight into the latest techniques used by cybercriminals. To date, HP Wolf Security customers have clicked on over 65 billion email attachments, web pages, and downloaded files with no reported breaches.

The report, which examines data from calendar Q3 2024, details how cybercriminals continue to diversify attack methods to bypass security tools that rely on detection, such as:

At least 11% of email threats identified by HP Sure Click bypassed one or more email gateway scanners.

Executables were the most popular malware delivery type (40%), followed by archive files (34%).

There was a notable rise in .lzh files, which made up 11% of archive files analysed - with most malicious .lzh archive files targeting Japanese-speaking users.

Neil Dover, country manager for Ireland at HP Inc., comments:

"Cybercriminals are rapidly increasing the variety, volume, and velocity of their attacks. If a malicious Excel document is blocked, an arc...

Autocoupler, based in Co. Kilkenny, was today announced as the winner of the 2025 AgTechUCD One to Watch Award at the completion of University College Dublin's (UCD) fourth AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme at UCD Lyons Farm.

The patented Autocoupler system allows a loader to attach to any agricultural implement, automatically coupling the loader's hydraulic circuit to the implement and then locking the implement in place with the loader's locking system.

The novel Autocoupler system makes changing implements quick and easy, with no delays or time loss in comparison to existing manual and time-consuming systems. In addition, the Autocoupler system has safety advantages over conventional systems as the operator does not have to leave the cab of the machine when attaching or disconnecting any attachment or implement.

The 12-week AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme, tailored to address the needs and challenges facing AgTech and Agrifood start-ups, was focused on fast tracking the business development and leadership skills of participants and on providing them with the support and guidance needed to accelerate the growth and development of their start-ups.

Gary Ryan, Director, AgTechUCD, said, "I would like to congratulate Autocoupler, on being named the overall winner of our fourth AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme. This programme supports the commercial development of the participating start-ups by helping them to further develop their innovative solutions, enhance their marketplace visibility, attract new customers and investors and build new partnerships at home and further afield. I wish Autocoupler every success for the future as they continue their entrepreneurial journey."

Seamus Kenny, founder, Autocoupler, said, "It is a great honour for me to accept the 2025 AgTechUCD One to Watch Award following the completion of the latest AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme. Our next step is to target the agricultural and construction implement manufacture market with our novel system which allows loader operators to change an implement without leaving their seat, in 4 seconds, at the touch of a button."

He added, "I would like to thank AgTechUCD and Enterprise Ireland for their ongoing support and also to thank Noreside Engineering Group, who have supported the physical engineering and prototype phase of developing the Autocoupler system, and acknowledge the financial support and advice received from the Kilkenny Local Enterprise Office."

Thirty-four (34) start-ups have now completed the four AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme delivered to date. Start-ups which have completed the programmes include; Cotter AgriTech, Moonsyst, MyGug, OptaHaul, Pitseal, Proveye, Silicate, and TrojanTrack.

AgTechUCD, which is part of NovaUCD, is focused on promoting and accelerating the launch and scaling of start-ups and SMEs, in Ireland and internationally, with disruptive innovations in the agtech, agri-food and vettech sectors, as they build their innovative businesses into leading job creating companies on the global stage.

AgTechUCD, funded through the Regional Enterprise Development Fund administered by Enterprise Ireland, supports founding entrepreneurs as they build their innovative businesses into leading enterprises, through the AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme, and by providing access to incubation offices and labs and preferred access to on-farm testing for new products and services at UCD Lyons Farm.

The AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme included dedicated business development workshops and investor readiness training, mentoring from industry experts and business advisors, guest speakers and facilitated introductions to AgTechUCD's venture capital and business angel networks.

Autocoupler was named winner of the Award following a final pitching event, held at the AgTechUCD Innovation Centre at UCD Lyons Farm in Co. Kildare. The members of the judging panel were; James Maloney, Enterprise Ireland, Faye Walsh Drouillard, WakeUp Capital and David Bow...