GrassMax is overall winner at Enterprise Ireland Innovation Arena Awards
Dublin-based company, GrassMax, and its product, GrassMax App, combines advanced modelling techniques with remote sensing data to provide a suite of easy-to-use bespoke nutrient and grass management decision-support tools, including satellite-based grassland growth yield measurement. The aim of GrassMax is to remove the need for farmers to routinely walk their grass paddocks, optimise soil fertility, and deliver verified enhancements in crop performance and resource use efficiency.
The winners of the Innovation Arena competition, hosted by Enterprise Ireland in association with the National Ploughing Association, were announced at an awards ceremony this afternoon (September 19) that were attended by Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Simon Coveney.
Best start-up
Proveye won the best overall start-up award, Start-Up Innovator of the Year, and a €10,000 prize for its AI-powered digital image analysis platform. Its innovation uses remote sensing capability to deliver image-based insights on agricultural land, giving users the ability to make timely and informed decisions to solve a range of challenges, such as maximising yield and crop management planning.
There was a strong focus on sustainable farming in this year’s entries through digital technologies, data-driven solutions and innovations to enhance efficiencies on farm.
Commenting, Minister Coveney said: “The Innovation Arena competition is a landmark exhibition platform and competition, as it brings together ambitious agri-innovators every year. Ireland is synonymous with agriculture, and it is our own entrepreneurs who are helping to shape the future of the sector globally. With the ongoing challenges and the need to develop and implement sustainable practises, the work of these Irish innovators has never been more vital.”
Leo Clancy, CEO, Enterprise Ireland, said: “Irish agri-tech companies continue to have an influential impact internationally with their cutting-edge products and services that are helping to bring greater efficiencies across agriculture.
“Enterprise Ireland is committed to supporting innovative companies and entrepreneurs, and the Innovation Arena at the National Ploughing Championships provides a key platform for showcasing the achievements and capabilities of our agri-tech innovators to both a domestic and international audience.
Anna May McHugh, managing director, National Ploughing Association, added: “The standard, once again, was exceptionally high, and I want to congratulate all of today’s winners and wish them all the best for the future on this great achievement.
Find out who all the winners were at this year’s Innovation Arena Awards
Overall ‘Innovator of the Year’ - Established
GrassMax, Dublin
Start-up Innovator of the Year
Proveye, Dublin
Agri-Engineering Award
Malone Farm Machinery, Mayo
Smart Farming Award
Pearson Milking Technology, Kildare
Crop Technology Award
Beotanics, Kilkenny
Agri-Safety Award
M-TEC Engineering, Cavan
Young Innovator of the Year
TrojanTrack, Dublin
IFAC Best New-Comer
Livefarm, Carlow
Ace Agritech Centre of Excellence Award
Proveye, Dublin
On Farm Innovation (Alfred Cox Founder's Perpetual Trophy)
SpreadPoint, Down
Research Emerging from 3rd Level Award
PolyBo, Westmeath
Farm Software Award
Herdwatch, Tipperary
AgTechUCD Start Up Award
Agri Data Analytics, Offaly
Farm Automation Award
Dairymaster, Kerry
AgriTech Award
Abbey Farm Machinery, Tipperary