Greenfeed is the successful 2024 Waterford Pitch Perfect business. The announcement was made by Jacqui Gaule, Senior Enterprise Development Officer, Local Enterprise Office Waterford.
Greenfeed has created a new animal feed additive which will dramatically reduce methane emissions from ruminant species (such as cattle) currently farmed in Ireland. Animal methane emissions are the largest single producer of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in Ireland accounting for 24% of all emissions released each year.
Michael Power of Greenfeed really enjoyed the process and was delighted to become the overall winner, “The competition was very enjoyable, particularly to see so many wonderful home-grown business ideas. The entire group learned from the process and for me, winning the overall pitch competition was just a bonus.
“Greenfeed will allow the Irish government to reach its climate targets and decrease the penalties it would be subject to, removing the need for a mass cull of the national herd. Greenfeed’s solutions will allow farmers greater autonomy over their farms, including the size of their herd and their day-to-day activities, while also being incredibly beneficial for the environment”.
Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Waterford, ArcLabs Research and Innovation Centre and Boxworks joined forces to deliver this Start Up Competition for those with an innovative business idea or those already in business trading less than 18 months.
Participants, limited to those based in Waterford, were guided through the initial stages of developing their idea/business. Then successful applicants were selected for a Business Boot camp where they perfected their pitch before presenting to panel of judges.
The bootcamp was delivered by the Entrepreneurs Academy on April 26th & 27th. The winner received €1,000 in prize money and a desk space for 6 months as part of the LEO Desk Programme in collaboration with Boxworks. All participants were offered mentoring as part of our LEO Mentoring programme.
Jacqui Gaule was impressed with the quality of entries, “This marks the third year of our Pitch Perfect competition, and we were truly impressed by the quality of applications we received. The participants who took part in the programme collaborated exceptionally well and the calibre of the pitches was outstanding. It's inspiring to witness the influx of fresh ideas and emerging businesses from Waterford.”
Local Enterprise Office Waterford is here to help you start a business, expand an existing business or reach new markets. It provides advice, information and supports in starting up or growing your business as part of a network of 31 Local Enterprise Offices across Ireland.
Contact your Local Enterprise Office Waterford for information about its programs and grants, on www.localenterprise.ie/Waterford or email info@leo.waterfordcouncil.ie for access to all its training support information.
