Entries open for 'Innovation Arena' awards at Ploughing in Offaly this September
The National Ploughing Championships will be returning to Screggan, Tullamore, this September and the build-up is already beginning with entries now being accepted for the Enterprise Ireland’s Innovation Arena Awards at the event.
The championships - one of Europe's largest outdoor events - attracted some 225,000 visitors last year and will return to Screggan from September 15 to 17 next.
The Enterprise Ireland Innovation Arena, hosted annually in partnership with the National Ploughing Association (NPA), is one of the most-visited exhibitions at the National Ploughing Championships, and this year it will focus on 'Helping Irish Agri Business Go Global'.
Irish innovators are synonymous with agriculture around the world, and have an established reputation for delivering pioneering and groundbreaking solutions for shared global challenges, such as animal health and nutrition, strengthening food security, and addressing sustainable practices.
The Innovation Arena at the National Ploughing Championship offers these innovators the opportunity to showcase their pioneering solutions to visitors, and to engage with customers and international buyers at the massive annual event.
With three categories in this year’s Innovation Arena competition, applications are now being invited from Irish-owned companies and innovators "who are delivering future-focused solutions with the ability to deliver sustainable changes in the sector, by bringing new innovative practices and efficiencies which can address costs and helping to secure global agriculture and food supply chains".
The ‘Start-Up Innovator of the Year’ award includes a €10,000 prize, as well as mentoring and specialist supports from Enterprise Ireland advisors.
The ‘Green Impact Award’ is for a company whose solution is focused on driving sustainable progress in the sector and securing it for future generations, while the Enterprise Ireland ‘Innovation Arena Champion Award’ is for established companies with a focus on scaling and innovation, who are exploring new global opportunities.
Successful applicants will be offered an exhibition space within the Enterprise Ireland Innovation Arena at the National Ploughing Championships.
The live competition will also return to this year’s Innovation Arena, and nine finalists- three per category- will be selected to participate in a live pitching competition in front of a panel of judges and audience on the first day of the National Ploughing Championships.
Anna May McHugh, National Ploughing Association Managing Director, said: "The Innovation Arena remains an important feature of the National Ploughing Championships, highlighting Irish innovators who are making a positive impact both at home and abroad.
"We are pleased to continue our partnership with Enterprise Ireland for 2026. The Arena provides a valuable platform for Irish agritech businesses to showcase their solutions and connect with industry and international audiences."
The Enterprise Ireland hosted ‘Agritech Hub’ exhibition space also returns to this year’s Innovation Arena, giving Irish agritech entrepreneurs the important opportunity to exhibit within the National Ploughing Championships.
James Maloney, Innovation Arena Project Manager, Enterprise Ireland, said: "Enterprise Ireland’s Innovation Arena is an institution in the agritech calendar.
"It is now an established platform which fosters the development of agri focused innovations, and gives our entrepreneurs and innovators the opportunity to meet face-to-face with potential customers and key stakeholders at this renowned international event."
To enter this year’s Innovation Arena Awards, visit: www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/innovation-arena
The closing date for entries is 5pm on Friday, May 1, 2026.