AgTech Ireland hosted a highly engaging member session, Financing the Scaling of AgTech Innovation, at the National Treasury Management Agency HQ, supported by ISIF. The event brought together a strong mix of AgTech Ireland member companies, leading investment funds, and representatives from AIB and Bank of Ireland. Following a warm welcome from ISIF Director Nick Ashmore and AgTech Ireland Chair Lloyd Pearson, Cathal Fitzgerald provided an overview of the global investment landscape, while Sean Mulvany outlined current trends in agtech venture investment, setting a strong foundation for the morning’s discussions. A dynamic panel discussion then explored how major corporates can better support agtech start-ups, expertly MC’d by David Leydon and featuring insights from Lorcan Bannon (Tirlán), Ronan O’Halloran (Kepak Group), and Conan Condon (Alltech). The session concluded with a compelling fireside chat in which Justin McCarthy spoke with James Greevy about GlasPort Bio’s journey in securing funding and navigating regulatory approval for scientifically proven methane-reducing technologies for slurry and ruminant digestion.
Key messages highlighted the central role of agtech in three of ISIF’s four core missions—Climate Action, Scaling Business, and Food & Agriculture—and emphasised the increasing importance of food security amid geopolitical turbulence. Speakers reinforced the need for flexible and creative funding partnerships, the value of listening over pitching, and the importance of aligned, joined-up policy to ensure viable markets for new, scientifically validated technologies. Justin McCarthy offered the quote of the day: funders should avoid the “Magpie Strategy”—not all shiny innovation is truly valuable.
A superbly informative session with rich insights, strong collaboration, and excellent networking with Ireland’s leading agtech finance partners.
