Success for Cavan’s IO Agri at National Enterprise Awards

IO Agri is run by founders Sandra Thompson and Shane O’Reilly

Cavan firm IO Agri has scooped the prestigious Innovation Award at this year’s National Enterprise Awards.

The awards, which took place at the Round Room in the Mansion House in Dublin, were in their 26th year and run annually by the Local Enterprise Offices.

Based in Canningstown and supported by Local Enterprise Office Cavan, IO Agri is run by founders Sandra Thompson and Shane O’Reilly, who created a system that allows farmers to trap emissions and convert them into by-products that can be used for renewable energy production, lowering emissions and creating a new income stream.

Sandra Thompson, Co-Founder of IO Agri, said: “We were delighted to receive the National Innovation Award at the National Enterprise Awards in the Mansion House. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team in developing practical, sustainable solutions for agriculture. Through our patented AgDAC™ technology and IO Applicator, we aim to help farmers and food processors at home and abroad meet environmental challenges while improving efficiency.”

Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Cllr. Carmel Brady congratulated the local company on their success. “Their success underpins the dynamic and exciting business that they are building in the agri-climate technology sector. Sandra and Shane exemplify the strong entrepreneurial talent that currently exists in County Cavan, and I wish them continued success.”

Eoin Doyle, Chief Executive of Cavan County Council noted that Cavan has a very strong enterprise culture. “By winning the National Innovation Award, IO Agri, through their co-founders Sandra and Shane, underlines the innovative nature of our enterprise base as the county pivots to embrace new opportunities in the agri-climate tech sector.”

“Sandra and Shane from IO Agri are deserving winners of the National Innovation Award for 2026 and LEO Cavan looks forward to supporting them as they continue to develop and grow their dynamic business in the heart of Canningstown,” said Conor Craven, Head of Enterprise, LEO Cavan

Peter Burke, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, announced the winners, saying the awards reflect the remarkable quality of small businesses right across the country.

The National Enterprise Awards is one of a number of initiatives that the Local Enterprise Offices run, to foster entrepreneurship across the country. Others include Local Enterprise Week, the Student Enterprise Programme, National Women’s Enterprise Day and Local Enterprise Showcase. The Local Enterprise Offices in local authorities are funded by the Government of Ireland through Enterprise Ireland.

Local Enterprise Offices are the essential resource for any entrepreneur looking to start a business or any small business that is looking for support or advice to help them grow, helping to create over 80,000 jobs across the country. The LEOs work with thousands of client companies across Ireland in a diverse range of sectors offering mentoring, training, expert advice and financial supports to small businesses. For more information see www.LocalEnterprise.ie/cavan.