VetPal Technology wins €10,000 'Start Up of the Year' Prize in Enterprise Ireland's Innovation Arena Awards at the National Ploughing Championships

• Four awards in this year’s final including ‘Young Innovator of the Year’, won by MTU students MastiTrak 
• Telenostic has been named as ‘Innovation Arena Champion’ winner, while ‘Green Impact Award went to TERRA NutriTECH
• Over 40 Irish agri innovators will showcase their solutions in one of the most visited exhibitions on site over the course of the week

VetPal Technology has been named as the winner of the ‘Start-Up of the Year’ Award in Enterprise Ireland’s 2026 Innovation Arena competition at the National Ploughing Championships.

The Roscommon based innovators received their award, which includes a €10,000 prize as well as mentoring and advisory supports, after a live final at the Innovation Arena this afternoon (TUES) for their innovation, which digitialises veterinary prescription management across the animal health supply chain 

There was a total of four awards in this year’s competition, including the return of the popular ‘Young Innovator of the Year’ category, which was open to entries from second and third-level students, and this was won by MastiTrak.

The ‘Innovation Arena Champion’ award, which was open to entries from established companies with a focus on scaling and innovation, was won by Kilkenny-based Telenostic. While the ‘Green Impact Award’, in honour of a sustainability-focused solution, was presented to Kildare innovators TERRA NutriTECH.

There were three finalists shortlisted in each category and they delivered a pitch to a panel of judges and a live audience in the Innovation Arena this afternoon including Peter Burke TD, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment; Jenny Melia, CEO, Enterprise Ireland, and Jim Woulfe, Chair, Enterprise Ireland.

A total of twelve Irish agritech innovators who developed solutions to some of agriculture's biggest challenges, from AI-powered disease detection and compliance tools to emissions-reducing technologies, were named as finalists in Enterprise Ireland’s Innovation Arena competition at this year’s National Ploughing Championships.

These shortlisted solutions all focused on tackling global challenges across every stage of the agricultural journey, and will support farmers to make informed, insight-driven decisions which will help create more efficient, productive, safer and sustainable practices. 

Against a backdrop of complex challenges facing the global food and agricultural industry, including climate change, animal health, increased regulation and rising costs, Irish entrepreneurs, researchers and students are pioneering innovations with the potential to drive sustainable change across the sector.

From the milking parlour and the paddock to the wider supply chain, the cutting-edge technologies and sustainable solutions in this year’s Innovation Arena final are focused on addressing challenges across animal health, agri-engineering, food production, sustainability, compliance matters and farm safety.  

This is the 13^th annual Enterprise Ireland Innovation Arena and this year it is focused on ‘Helping Irish Agri Business Go Global’. Over 40 Irish agritech innovators will showcase their cutting-edge products and solutions over the course of the week in the Innovation Arena, which is one of the most visited exhibitions at the National Ploughing Championships every year.

As well as the four award winners and shortlisted finalists, a number of other companies were also presented with a ‘Certificate of Achievement for Innovation’ at this afternoon’s event, having achieved a minimum qualifying score for their entry and in recognition of their contribution to agricultural progress. These companies were; Equine MediRecord, FieldFirst, Herdwatch, HLR Machinery Ltd, Irish Farmers Journal – Farm Alert, Micron Agritech, Precision Microbes, Reap Interactive Ltd and Rodent Shield Systems.

Irish agritech companies supported by Enterprise Ireland recorded €844m in exports in 2025 and employ more than 5,000 people right across the country. The Innovation Arena helps to foster the development of some of these agritech innovators and to accelerate their business in domestic and global markets. 

Enterprise Ireland is committed to supporting Irish-owned companies to start, compete, scale and connect, and its long-term ambition is that these indigenous exporting businesses will become the primary driver of the Irish economy. 

Balanced regional development is a key focus of its work and Enterprise Ireland recently launched 'Growing Home', focused on platforming and showcasing regionally based businesses that are building local economies in towns and villages around the country.

Peter Burke TD, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, said:  "The Innovation Arena continues to be an incredibly important platform for Irish agri innovation, bringing together entrepreneurs, researchers and businesses who are all focused on developing solutions for the future of this important sector. At a time when global agriculture and food face significant opportunities and challenges, the solutions showcased in this year’s Innovation Arena will be critical in driving productivity and competitiveness. I would like to thank Enterprise Ireland and the NPA for their continued dedication to this important initiative.  And I would like to congratulate all of this year’s winners, finalists and exhibitors for their work and solutions which will benefit farms and communities at home and around the world."

Speaking at the opening day of the Innovation Arena, Jenny Melia, CEO, Enterprise Ireland, said: “Ireland is synonymous with innovation and agriculture globally, and the ingenuity and expertise of our innovators has resulted in our agricultural sector earning a reputation for delivering sustainable and productive solutions which are helping to solve the sector’s biggest challenges.  These companies are also predominantly regionally based in towns and communities across Ireland, so as well as transforming the agritech sector, they are also driving growth and having an impact in local economies the length and breadth of the country.  On behalf of Enterprise Ireland, I want to congratulate all the winners, exhibitors and finalists in this year’s Innovation Arena and thank them for their commitment to excellence and for being at the forefront of change.”

Congratulating all the finalists and exhibitors in this year’s Innovation Arena, Anna May McHugh, Managing Director of the National Ploughing Association, said: "The Innovation Arena continues to showcase the very best of Irish innovation, highlighting the innovative problem-solving skills that are driving the future of agriculture. This year’s finalists and exhibitors are yet again a reflection of a pioneering sector with innovators and businesses who develop solutions that help farmers become more productive and resilient. The National Ploughing Association is proud to support the Innovation Arena each year, and I want to congratulate all of this year’s finalists and exhibitors for their contributions to the future success of Ireland’s agri sector."

Ends

For further information, contact; 

Emma Jane Hade – Senior Communications Manager, Enterprise Ireland
emma-jane.hade@enterprise-ireland.com / 087 775 8157 

Overview of the 12 finalists in the 2026 Enterprise Ireland Innovation Arena Awards:

Young Innovator of the Year Finalists

Winners: MastiTrak – MTU

MastiTrak is an agritech start-up founded by third-level students, developing smart herd health solutions for dairy farms. Driven by technology, its mastitis detection system helps identify issues earlier during milking, enabling faster intervention and more informed treatment decisions.  This supports earlier detection, improves animal welfare, reduces milk waste, and lowers antibiotic use, delivering practical benefits for modern farming.

Moore Agri – Co Sligo

Developed by a mechanical engineering student, Gary Moore, this is a new tractor mower mounting system, with a focus on improving safety in agricultural machinery. The axle-mounted system enhances stability for heavy side-mounted mowers while simplifying attachment and use. By reducing operational risks and improving equipment performance, the design addresses an important challenge for modern grassland farming.

WireLessCam – Co Monaghan

Developed by sixteen-year-old secondary school student Blake McVicar, WireLessCam is a portable wireless camera viewed through an app on a phone to improve safety and visibility around farm machinery and livestock transport.

Easy to deploy and requiring no installation, the solution helps reduce accidents, prevent equipment damage and enhance animal monitoring. Its use of repurposed batteries also contributes to a more sustainable approach to farm technology.

Start-Up of the Year Finalists

Winners: VetPal Technology Limited – Co Roscommon

VetPal is an Irish agritech company digitising veterinary prescription management across the animal health supply chain, the only platform connecting farmers, vets, co-ops, merchants and pharmacies in one compliant digital workflow and fully integrated with the Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Prescription System. Built in response to new EU regulations requiring veterinary prescriptions for treatments previously sold over the counter, VetPal cuts administration for vets and stores while protecting farmers’ access to treatments, supporting prudent prescribing and improved One Health outcomes for animals and people. 

Over the past year, the company has added multi-branch support for store groups, along with e-commerce and ERP integrations, while new AI-powered tools are reducing administrative burdens and improving clinical efficiencies. Since launching in December 2025, VetPal has been adopted by the majority of Ireland's licensed remedy stores, with thousands of farmers now receiving their prescriptions through the platform.

FURROW – Co Monaghan

FURROW is an Irish agritech platform, powered by AI, that helps farmers, new entrants and agricultural advisors keep farm records in order, from everyday compliance through to succession.

Everything the farm generates- a Department letter, a receipt, a deadline, a voice note from the tractor- goes into one living record which is built on WhatsApp, so a farmer can photograph a scheme letter standing in the yard and get a plain-English answer from the AI-driven assistant on what it means and what happens next. 

For advisors, FURROW provides a live dashboard to manage farm portfolios, track compliance and identify upcoming deadlines or opportunities.

Built around the tools farmers already use, FURROW turns scattered paperwork into one single record in one place and makes complex compliance more accessible, practical and helps to build sustainable farming practices and future-proof the sector for the next generation. 

RT Sales Limited – Co Kerry

RT Sales Limited is an agricultural engineering firm focused on practical engineering solutions designed to extend machinery lifespan, increase operational safety, and improve efficiency.  Its latest innovation ‘Hitch Hero’ is a patented stabilising frame which reduces stress on tractors and mowers by improving rigidity and limiting side loads. The innovation protects tractors and equipment, while improving operational smoothness and supporting safer grassland work.

Green Impact Award Finalists

Winners: TERRA NutriTECH – Co Kildare

TERRA NutriTECH is an Irish agri-tech company pioneering precision dosing technology for grazing livestock. Its CH4Guard platform delivers methane-reducing supplements through drinking water and uses real-time data to confirm that the right product and dose were provided. It turns methane reduction at pasture from a major challenge into something practical, measurable and credible.

Magnus Monitors – Co Galway

Galway-based Magnus Monitors develops smart telemetry solutions that help farmers, rural businesses and suppliers manage critical resources more efficiently. Its connected monitoring ecosystem combines radar sensing, real-time connectivity and AI-powered analytics to track tank levels, predict replenishment needs and reduce the risk of costly run-outs. By turning storage data into actionable insights, the platform improves planning, reduces manual checks and supports more efficient farm and supply chain operations.

MAGNUS’s solution transforms reactive supply chain models into proactive, sustainable models by delivering up to 30% greater efficiency, reducing unnecessary journeys, and ensuring better-serviced customers.

Slurryquip – Co Down

Slurryquip designs and builds slurry management equipment for farmers and contractors.
Its new ‘Infinity Engine Pump’ combines high-capacity slurry pumping with advanced remote operation and reliable connectivity. By reducing labour requirements, improving operational control, and supporting fuel efficiency, it helps contractors manage slurry more reliably in demanding conditions.

Innovation Arena Champion Finalists

Winners: Telenostic – Co Kilkenny

Telenostic is an Irish technology company that has developed an AI-powered diagnostic tool to improve parasite control in livestock, by enabling rapid parasite detection at point of care.

Its AI-driven OvaCyte platform enables rapid on-farm identification of parasite eggs, including Barber’s pole eggs, from animal faecal sample analysis, eliminating the need for laboratory testing and enabling evidence-based treatment decisions.

This innovation supports faster treatment decisions, targeted parasite control and improved animal health management. It also reduces unnecessary treatments and drug use, while helping farmers enhance productivity, support sustainability, lower costs, and improve overall herd health.

Alltech – Co Meath

Alltech is an Irish-founded animal health and nutrition company supporting agriculture with science-led solutions.

Alltech’s Planet of Plenty Partnership Framework shows how business model innovation, powered by science-led solutions, can help agriculture cut emissions whilst driving farm profitability. By connecting farmers, processors and brands around solutions such as Eminex, Alltech is creating practical pathways to reduce slurry-related emissions, improve nutrient efficiency and generate credible sustainability gains across the value chain.

Solnua (National Cattle Breeding Centre) – Co Kildare

Solnua, from the National Cattle Breeding Centre, is an animal genetics company based in Kildare which helps farmers make more informed breeding decisions using Ireland’s extensive livestock data resources.

Its ‘Predictability in Practice’ system matches farms with tailored breeding recommendations, with the aim of improving fertility, calving performance and herd consistency, supporting more sustainable and profitable practices.