Enterprise Ireland has named Roscommon-based VetPal Technology as the winner of its €10,000 Start-Up of the Year prize at the 2026 Innovation Arena Awards. The recognition highlights the growing role of Irish agritech in improving animal health, farm compliance and efficiency across the agricultural supply chain.
VetPal received the award following a live final at the National Ploughing Championships. Its digital platform manages veterinary prescriptions through a compliant workflow linking farmers, veterinary practices, co-operatives, agricultural merchants and pharmacies.
Enterprise Ireland recognises VetPal’s digital farming innovation
VetPal was developed in response to changes requiring veterinary prescriptions for treatments that were previously available over the counter. The platform is integrated with the Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Prescription System, helping users manage prescriptions while supporting responsible medicine use and better One Health outcomes.
According to the Enterprise Ireland announcement, VetPal has expanded its platform to include multi-branch support for store groups, e-commerce and enterprise resource planning integrations. Artificial intelligence tools are also being used to reduce administration and improve clinical workflows. Since launching in December 2025, the company has been adopted by the majority of Ireland’s licensed remedy stores, with thousands of farmers receiving prescriptions through the service.
- €10,000 prize funding
- Mentoring and advisory support
- Digital prescription management across the animal health supply chain
- Integration with the national veterinary prescription system
Four Innovation Arena awards presented
The 2026 competition included four award categories. MTU student innovators MastiTrak won Young Innovator of the Year for its smart herd-health technology designed to identify mastitis earlier. Kilkenny company Telenostic was named Innovation Arena Champion, while Kildare-based TERRA NutriTECH received the Green Impact Award for its sustainability-focused livestock technology.
Twelve finalists presented their ideas to judges and a live audience, including Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke TD, Enterprise Ireland CEO Jenny Melia and Enterprise Ireland chair Jim Woulfe.
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Irish agritech aims to compete globally
This year’s Innovation Arena theme, “Helping Irish Agri Business Go Global”, reflects the international ambition of Ireland’s indigenous technology companies. More than 40 agritech innovators are showcasing solutions during the National Ploughing Championships, covering animal health, farm safety, compliance, engineering, food production and emissions reduction.
Enterprise Ireland said Irish agritech companies it supports recorded €844 million in exports during 2025 and employed more than 5,000 people nationwide. The agency’s support includes helping Irish-owned businesses start, compete, scale and connect with international markets, while also promoting regional enterprise development.
The awards demonstrate how technology can address practical agricultural pressures, including changing regulation, climate change, rising costs and animal-health responsibilities. Other finalists included FURROW, an AI-powered farm-record platform; RT Sales, creator of the Hitch Hero machinery stabiliser; and several student-led safety and herd-management projects.
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What VetPal’s award means for Irish farmers
VetPal’s success signals demand for practical digital tools that simplify compliance without separating farmers from the professionals who support them. By connecting the prescription process in one system, the company aims to make treatment access more efficient while encouraging accurate records and prudent prescribing.
Key takeaway: VetPal Technology’s Enterprise Ireland award places a Roscommon agritech company at the centre of Ireland’s drive to build globally competitive, safer and more sustainable farming solutions.
Article/Image Courtesy: Enterprise Ireland
