News

MicroGen Biotech Winners of international THRIVE Accelerator Program

25/04/2017

Irish company and Institute of Technology Carlow (IT Carlow) spin-out MicroGen Biotech is one of just ten companies to be have been announced as winners of this year’s THRIVE Accelerator Program, an international competition run by THRIVE AgTech. THRIVE AgTech connects the expertise of tech companies to on-the-ground knowledge of agricultural companies, the financial backing of investors, and the innovation of entrepreneurs.

The competition saw 150 applicants from 30 countries. As one of the ten winners announced, MicroGen Biotech will receive $50,000 in cash and a mentorship and coaching programme valued at $50,000. MicroGen Biotech was the only Irish winner in the initiative; the other recipients were from the US, Brazil, Israel and Italy.

The win is yet another coup for MicroGen Biotech, which was established three years ago as an Irish High-Potential Start-Up (HPSU) spin-out from the EnviroCORE research group at IT Carlow. MicroGen Biotech has successfully developed cost-effective and sustainable biotechnologies and products to remediate contaminated soil and water.

MicroGen Biotech will now participate an eight-week boot camp that combines classroom and online training, field tours and meetings with growers in Salinas Valley, California. Winners have the use of the Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology, the AgTech incubator in Salinas, and access to mentorship and coaching during the two-month period. At the end of the program, the companies showcase their products at the Forbes AgTech Summit, which will be held on June 28-29 in California.

Organisers commented that this year’s application pool included a rise in the number of women-led companies and more technologies focused on the consumer food marketplace and indoor agriculture environments.

ENDS


For reference: Alma Feeley, Communications Office, Institute of Technology Carlow
t: 059 9175098

Date: 24th April 2017