IGNITE your corporate innovation: insights from setting up an ag-tech start-up accelerator

In today’s market era of rapid technological innovation even the most established agribusiness players risk being left behind in the wake of disruptive technology. How can large agriculture companies keep up? One emerging possibility for corporate innovation is that of the corporate start-up accelerator. Companies across all sectors, including agricultural and food technology, are increasingly using these programs to tap into early innovation. In 2017, Alltech ran its first program, the Pearse Lyons Accelerator for agri-business and ag-tech start-ups. This article serves to describe and analyze how corporate accelerators have populated start-up ecosystems and how the ag-tech and food sectors are reflecting this trend. Recommendations based on experience and critical feedback are presented to those considering developing their own accelerators and the role it might play in responsible innovation