Alltech Founder and President, Dr. Pearse Lyons presents during the Alltech 30th Annual International Symposium in Lexington, Kentucky.

The Pearse Lyons Accelerator is now accepting applications for its inaugural term.  The progarm is looking for food and agribusiness innovators with a proven technology that is ready for market.  Selected participants will be part of a three-month intensive boot camp that offers market opportunities to allow entrepreneurs to develop their agribusiness plans.

Chosen innovators will present at ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference in Lexington, Kentucky.  This is an chance to share their innovations with more than 3,000 attendees, representing nearly 80 countries.

With plenty of opportunities existing today in agriculture, farmers and producers need to be able to make decisions more accurately and scientifically with the help of ag-tech and big data. The program seeks game changers in the ag industry and opens today for applications. Following a selection process, successful applicants will commence the program in January 2017.

In addition to the conference experience, Alltech is also investing $10 million USD in the program.  Funds will go to support the boot camp, run by Aidan Connolly, chief innovation officer at Alltech.

“Entrepreneurs have the potential to discover solutions today to meet the challenges of tomorrow,” said Connolly. “The Pearse Lyons Accelerator aims to discover the brightest ideas in agriculture, food and technology, and we want these future ag-tech entrepreneurs to be fully equipped to develop successful, sustainable businesses. Alltech is one of the few truly global companies positioned to assist in opening doors, such as routes to market and worldwide market access.”

Alltech is already knows as a leader in innovation for animal health and nutrition.  Now the organization hopes to position itself to be a leader in investments for food and agribusiness as well.

“Thirty-six years ago, I founded Alltech in my home with just $10,000 in my pocket, and that investment has grown into an international business of over $2 billion,” said Dr. Pearse Lyons, founder and president of Alltech. “Alltech’s roots are in entrepreneurial innovation, and it’s an exciting time to be in agriculture. Some of the recent ag-tech applications on-farm today include automation, drones, soil sensors and big data. What next? Personally, I am looking forward to supporting and empowering rising entrepreneurs in making tomorrow’s innovations a reality.”