As sustainability becomes a defining force in the future of food and agriculture, Kerry Dairy Ireland (KDI) is proud to continue its partnership with the 2050 Accelerator—Ireland’s national innovation platform for climate solutions—as the programme enters its second year. This initiative is a powerful vehicle for piloting and scaling breakthrough technologies across the agri-food sector, and KDI’s ongoing involvement underscores its long-term commitment to climate-smart dairy innovation.
Developed by Dogpatch Labs and supported by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), the 2050 Accelerator unites startups, government, and industry leaders to fast-track sustainability-focused technologies that can transform the way we grow, produce, and deliver food. KDI is one of three key programme partners, alongside ESB and Coillte, working closely with nine pioneering startups from around the globe, the UK, Europe, and the US to co-create solutions that address critical climate and resource challenges.
What is the 2050 Accelerator?
At its core, the 2050 Accelerator is a platform for accelerating climate innovation at the intersection of science, technology, and agriculture. It’s not just a startup incubator—it’s a unique collaboration model that places real-world implementation at the heart of each pilot project.
This year’s cohort includes startups tackling:
- Regenerative agriculture and soil health
- Animal-free protein development
- Supply chain traceability
- Carbon accounting
- Drone-based logistics and land management
With support from programme partners and technical mentors, these startups are refining their technologies and testing them in live environments, ensuring that innovation meets feasibility and scalability.
Driving Real-World Dairy Solutions
As Ireland’s leading voice in sustainable dairy, Kerry Dairy Ireland’s challenge areas are closely aligned with the pressing issues facing the agri-food sector:
- Reducing carbon emissions in milk production and processing
- Enhancing cow health and productivity through smart nutrition
- Improving supply chain traceability and transparency for customers
- Advancing regenerative farming practices that support long-term soil and ecosystem health
Through the 2050 Accelerator, KDI collaborates directly with startups, offering access to its farm network, R&D resources, and commercial insights. This hands-on partnership model helps startups validate their solutions in a commercial dairy setting—bridging the gap between innovation and real-world application.
“A Powerful Step Forward”: Collaboration in Action
Kerry Dairy Ireland sees collaboration as essential to achieving its ambitious sustainability goals. By engaging with startups that are building sustainable solutions for tomorrow, we help shape an ecosystem of solutions that can scale—both in Ireland and globally.
“The launch of the 2050 Sustainability Accelerator is a powerful step forward in our commitment to delivering real, measurable progress against both our near- and long-term sustainability targets,” said Zita McCarthy, Senior Sustainability Manager at Kerry Dairy Ireland.
This vision aligns with KDI’s broader sustainability platform, including:
- Its Gold Membership in Origin Green, Ireland’s national sustainability programme
- The Evolve programme, which supports over 3,000 farmers in implementing carbon reduction, nutrient management, and biodiversity-enhancing practices
- Participation in the Sustainable Dairy Partnership (SDP), where KDI became the first processor globally to achieve Stage 5 verification
What It Means for the Industry
For farmers, this partnership represents access to cutting-edge tools that support sustainable and efficient farming—from precision input management to advanced herd health monitoring. Startups are working directly with dairy suppliers to make technologies that are not just innovative but also farmer-friendly and commercially viable.
For customers and dairy buyers, KDI’s involvement in the accelerator ensures greater traceability and accountability across the supply chain. By integrating sustainability innovations from field to factory, KDI strengthens its ability to deliver ESG-aligned dairy solutions with transparency at every step.
And for the broader agri-food industry, this approach offers a blueprint for corporate-startup collaboration that is proactive, scalable, and measurable. Initiatives like the 2050 Accelerator demonstrate how industry can support climate solutions not just with funding, but with field access, operational data, and market pathways—exactly what innovators need to succeed.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for the Accelerator
All eyes will be on Dublin’s CHQ Building on 19 June 2025, when the current cohort of startups will pitch their pilot results to potential partners, policymakers, and investors during the programme’s Showcase Day. As such, we look forward to presenting our role in advancing climate-smart innovation for the dairy industry.
Looking beyond the showcase, KDI remains committed to supporting innovation ecosystems that can help deliver on its climate goals and lead the sector forward. By backing startups that share its values of practicality, collaboration, and transparency, KDI continues to ensure that Irish dairy leads the way in sustainable food systems.
KDI’s work with the 2050 Accelerator is just one part of a broader, purpose-driven approach to reimagining the dairy value chain. We welcome potential partners or customers with questions to contact us today to learn more.