The Circular IMTA-DEMO is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the EU Just Transition Fund Programme 2021–2027. Grant Number 2023JTF165.
The Circular IMTA-DEMO is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the EU Just Transition Fund Programme 2021–2027. Grant Number 2023JTF165.
Published: July 17, 2026
The Freshwater AQUAHACK, held on 1st and 2nd July at the Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) site in Mount Lucas, Co. Offaly, brought together 18 early career researchers from institutions across Ireland for a unique two-day innovation and entrepreneurship experience. As a key partner in the initiative, the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) played an important role in fostering collaboration between academia, industry and the emerging freshwater bioeconomy sector.
Delivered through the Teagasc and Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) partnership, with support from TUS and international aquaculture accelerator Hatch Blue, the event introduced participants to the opportunities and challenges within Ireland's developing freshwater aquaculture sector. The AQUAHACK aligned strongly with TUS's commitment to applied research, innovation, and enterprise development, providing researchers with an opportunity to explore how scientific discoveries can be translated into commercially viable solutions.
Over two days, participants experienced the IMTA demonstration site firsthand, gaining insights into integrated aquaculture systems and the potential of freshwater algae within a circular bioeconomy. Researchers also received expert training in customer discovery, intellectual property commercialisation, and pitching skills, before working in multidisciplinary teams to develop innovative solutions to real-world challenges facing the aquaculture and environmental sectors.
The event culminated in a competitive pitch session before an external judging panel. The winning team, CURE, impressed judges with its concept for sensor probes capable of detecting heavy metal accumulation in salmonids, demonstrating significant potential to support fish health monitoring and food safety. All teams delivered pitches of an exceptionally high standard, highlighting the creativity, innovation and entrepreneurial potential of Ireland's emerging research talent.
The Freshwater AQUAHACK also delivered significant value for the Circular-IMTA-Demo project by showcasing the Mount Lucas IMTA facility as a living laboratory for innovation, knowledge exchange and skills development. By exposing early career researchers to integrated aquaculture systems and real-world bioeconomy challenges, the event helped stimulate new ideas for the sustainable use of freshwater biomass and circular production systems. The AQUAHACK strengthened engagement between researchers, industry stakeholders and innovation support organisations, creating opportunities for future collaborations, research projects and commercial ventures aligned with the project's objectives. Importantly, it demonstrated how the Circular-IMTA-Demo infrastructure can serve not only as a research platform, but also as a catalyst for entrepreneurship, technology development and capacity building within Ireland's emerging freshwater aquaculture and bioeconomy sectors.
The winning team CURE, with the judges. From left to right: Judge Niall O'Rahelly (Enterprise Ireland), Eugenia Mazzara (Teagasc), Judge Gillian Barry (TUS), Animesh Singh Sengar (Teagasc), Kajal Bhapkar (ATU) and Judge Marcel Jansen (UCC).
About the winning team:
The winning team was CURE, whose pitch focused on developing sensor probes to detect heavy metal accumulation in salmonids. The team impressed the judges with the potential application of their solution in supporting fish health monitoring, enhancing food safety and promoting more sustainable aquaculture practices.