Breakthrough Kilkenny business is 'one to watch'

A north Kilkenny business has been chosen as the ‘one to watch’ in the coming year, at a prestigious business program for young companies.

Autocoupler, based in Lisdowney, was last week announced as the winner of the 2025 AgTechUCD One to Watch Award at the completion of University College Dublin’s (UCD) fourth AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme at UCD Lyons Farm.

The patented Autocoupler system allows a loader to attach to any agricultural implement, automatically coupling the loader’s hydraulic circuit to the implement and then locking the implement in place with the loader’s locking system.

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The novel Autocoupler system makes changing implements quick and easy, with no delays or time loss in comparison to existing manual and time consuming systems.

In addition the Autocoupler system has safety advantages over conventional systems as the operator does not have to leave the cab of the machine when attaching or disconnecting any attachment or implement.

Autocoupler is the brainchild of Lisdowney man Seamus Kenny.

His company was named winner of the AgTechUCD Award at the 2024 National Ploughing Championships where it was showcased in Enterprise Ireland’s Innovation Arena.

The AgTechUCD Accelerator Programme, was an intensive 12-week hybrid programme, tailored to address the particular needs and challenges facing AgTech and Agrifood start-ups.

The programme is focused on fast tracking the business development and leadership skills of participants and on providing them with the support and guidance needed to accelerate the growth and development of their start-ups.

The programme includes dedicated business development workshops and investor readiness training, mentoring from industry experts and business advisors, guest speakers and facilitated introductions to AgTechUCD’s venture capital and business angel networks.

Seamus said it was a great honour for him to accept the award.

“Our next step is to target the agricultural and construction implement manufacture market with our novel system which allows loader operators to change an implement without leaving their seat, in four seconds, at the touch of a button.”

He added: “I would like to thank AgTechUCD and Enterprise Ireland for their ongoing support and also to thank Noreside Engineering Group, who have supported the physical engineering and prototype phase of developing the Autocoupler system, and acknowledge the financial support and advice received from the Kilkenny Local Enterprise Office.”

Gary Ryan, Director, AgTechUCD, congratulated Autocoupler, on being named the overall winner of our fourth AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme.

AgTechUCD, funded through the Regional Enterprise Development Fund administered by Enterprise Ireland, supports founding entrepreneurs as they build their innovative businesses into leading enterprises, through the AgTechUCD Agccelerator Programme, and by providing access to incubation offices and labs and preferred access to on-farm testing for new products and services at UCD Lyons Farm.