Bord na Móna has announced the eight rising green businesses from across Ireland taking part in its 2024 Accelerate Green Programme including Weev based in Belfast.
This leading accelerator programme, delivered by Bord na Móna in conjunction with Resolve Partners, is dedicated to scaling early-stage enterprises, SMEs and start-ups that are leading the response to climate action and sustainability. The rollout of Accelerate Green is part of Bord na Mona’s 5 million euro commitment to support the growth of Ireland’s rising green innovator network between 2022 and 2025.
The eight companies selected to participate in this year’s Accelerate Green programme include: ACEL Energy, Voltclub Renewables, Konree Innovation, Weev, SomaTech, I/O Agri, AffinityEV and Universal Graphics.
The chosen companies are based throughout Ireland and are all delivering unique green innovation that caters to a range of business needs across multiple industries in Ireland and internationally. These industries range from renewable energy and sustainable agri-tech to EV charging and food fermentation.
As part of the programme, these eight companies will undergo a series of immersive learning sessions and mentoring workshops across eight weeks in the dedicated Accelerate Green hub in Boora, Co. Offaly. Participants will engage with a diverse range of speakers including representatives from enterprise and energy agencies, Irish corporate entities, research networks, investors, as well as gaining access to senior leaders from across Bord na Móna’s business. The participants will also gain insight into Bord na Móna’s commercial expertise and learnings as a business that has fully transitioned from Brown to Green – pivoting from a traditional peat business to a leading climate solutions and renewable energy company.
RELATED: Weev Brings the Power to Dungiven
Twenty-five Irish businesses have successfully completed the programme since it first launched in 2022 and the majority of these have continued to scale their offering of green products or services in the meantime. According to research* conducted amongst previous Accelerate Green participant businesses, 60% have reported rising profits since they participated in the Accelerate Green programme and two in three participants have secured significant funding from key investors. Many of the alumni businesses have also gone on to receive prestigious industry awards due to their continued growth, innovation impact and success and a combined total of 353 jobs have been created by the participating businesses.
Speaking at the launch of Accelerate Green, Simon Coveney TD - Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, said: “I’m delighted to officially launch the 2024 Accelerate Green programme at Bord na Móna’s Accelerate Green Hub at Lough Boora and would like to congratulate the eight businesses selected to take part. The green economy offers exciting opportunities for Irish companies, and as a government we want to see innovative climate-focused businesses and entrepreneurs across Ireland succeeding and creating new sustainable employment opportunities.
“As a nation we have ambitious climate action goals in place for the end of the decade as well as our net zero emissions target for 2050. Bord na Móna’s Accelerate Green programme is supporting the green innovators that will help us to meet these goals and shape a more sustainable future for our country. I would like to wish all of the participants the very best as they begin this year’s programme.”
RELATED: Weev and Belfast City Council to Address Leading Sustainability Summit
Tom Donnellan, Chief Executive, Bord na Móna, said: “We are delighted to unveil the eight fantastic companies joining the Accelerate Green Programme for 2024. This year’s participants are inspiring examples of the high standard of innovation in the Irish sustainability space today. Among the climate-focused innovations offered by these eight businesses, we have everything from sustainable farming solutions and aquaculture technology, to EV charging solutions, showcasing the way in which green innovation can create solutions for so many sectors, businesses and the wider public.
“As a company that has scaled its renewable energy and climate solutions offering significantly, we have learned a lot along the way and are keen to share our insights with these rising businesses through our Accelerate Green Programme, while also helping them to build a network of peers to support them on their individual scaling journeys. It is the success of these businesses and those that have participated in Accelerate Green to date that will help wider efforts to facilitate our transition to a low carbon, climate resilient and environmentally sustainable economy.”
Accelerate Green is spearheaded by Bord na Móna, supported by Peatlands and People (Erinn Innovation) and delivered by Resolve Partners. This programme is supported with partial funding through the Bord na Móna led European Commission funded LIFE Integrated Project 'Peatlands and People', an initiative that aims to support the realisation of a carbon-neutral, climate-resistant, and environmentally sustainable country.
Source: Written from press release
