Eight companies chosen for Bord na Móna’s new sustainability accelerator

Businesses include EV charging, hydroponic farming and renewable energy enterprises

Bord na Móna has named eight Irish companies chosen for its climate action and sustainability accelerator programme.

The Accelerate Green programme is designed to support early-stage companies developing products and services based on green innovation. It is being delivered by Resolve Partners and backed by Bord na Móna. The programme is designed to help the businesses scale their companies.

The programme includes a series of deep learning and mentoring sessions, access to speakers from enterprise and energy agencies, Irish corporates, research networks, investors and successful business leaders. Up to €20,000 of research funding with Irish university researchers is also available to the companies.

"As a climate solutions company Bord na Móna is determined to help these companies deliver novel solutions to enable a low-carbon economy while delivering sustainable jobs," said Tom Donnellan, chief executive of Bord na Móna. "Accelerate Green is an excellent opportunity for our eight selected companies to engage with key industry partners and gain potential financial investment."

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Waste sensors

The chosen companies include hydroponic farm Real Leaf Farm, which grows salad vegetables all year round, and Positive Carbon, which uses waste sensors and artificial intelligence to help hotels and food service providers to develop waste reduction strategies. EpiSensor, meanwhile, has developed an industrial internet of things (IIoT) platform, while electric vehicle charging start-up Go Eve and renewable energy company Jones Celtic Bioenergy will also take part. Borrisoleigh Bottling Ltd, CameraMatics and Automsoft round out the list.

"It is significant to note that as a group, the eight participating companies currently already employ over 120 people, and have raised over €20 million in funding," said Alan Costello of Resolve Partners. "This sharpens the programme's focus to support these companies in becoming the next leaders in their sectors, and to inspire and signpost other startups and scale-ups across Ireland towards success."

Ciara O'Brien

Ciara O'Brien

Ciara O'Brien is an Irish Times business and technology journalist