Equine AI start-up TrojanTrack prepares €1.3m seed round and Q1 2026 commercial launch in Ireland and UK.
TrojanTrack, an Irish equine technology start-up, has been named the winner of the One to Watch Award at University College Dublin’s AI Ecosystem Accelerator, following a showcase event for investors and industry stakeholders.
The company, founded by UCD biomedical engineering graduate Stephen O’Dwyer, uses AI-powered motion analysis to assess horse biomechanics via short smartphone videos. The technology is designed to help trainers and owners detect potential performance or welfare issues before they escalate into injuries.
“TrojanTrack is already operating across leading yards, and our next step is scaling this technology so every trainer can identify potential issues early, straight from their phone”
The company has raised €500,000 in pre-seed funding to date, including support from Enterprise Ireland’s Pre-Seed Start Fund and High Potential Start-Up programme. It is now seeking €1.3 million in seed funding to accelerate growth.
Galloping ahead
TrojanTrack is currently operating in a soft launch phase, with over 200 horses on its platform across leading yards including Breen Equestrian and John Whitaker Performance Horses. A full commercial rollout is planned for Ireland and the UK in the first quarter of 2026.
“I am delighted and honoured that TrojanTrack was named winner of the One to Watch Award at the conclusion of the 2025 AI Ecosystem Accelerator, especially given the calibre of the start-ups involved,” said O’Dwyer.
“This recognition reinforces how AI can transform equine performance and welfare. TrojanTrack is already operating across leading yards, and our next step is scaling this technology so every trainer can identify potential issues early, straight from their phone.”
TrojanTrack was one of nine start-ups to complete the six-month accelerator programme, which is delivered by NovaUCD and CeADAR, Ireland’s Centre for Applied AI and the European Digital Innovation Hub for AI. The cohort included ventures in advertising, construction, content creation, cybersecurity, education, finance, healthcare and sportstech, collectively seeking €10 million in early-stage funding.
Professor Kate Robson Brown, UCD Vice-President for Research, Innovation and Impact, said the programme highlights Ireland’s potential to lead in AI innovation. “Strengthening the links between research, talent and real-world applications will be key to realising that potential,” she said. “One development that will support this ambition is Ireland’s newly announced EU AI Factory Antenna, which will make advanced AI infrastructure more accessible to start-ups, SMEs and public-sector innovators across Ireland.”
The accelerator is part of the European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH) framework, a €700 million initiative co-funded by the European Commission and member state governments. In Ireland, the programme is led by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment through Enterprise Ireland.
Marina Donohoe, Head of Research, Innovation and Infrastructure at Enterprise Ireland, said the accelerator is helping build a strong pipeline of AI ventures. “This year’s cohort of entrepreneurs has demonstrated customer-focused validation, early commercial momentum and clear potential for international impact,” she said.
Participants received support from CeADAR’s AI experts and commercial mentors, alongside workshops on scaling, investor readiness and value proposition development. They also had access to NovaUCD’s co-working space and opportunities to engage with investors, corporates and skilled interns.
The final showcase event featured pitches from all nine start-ups to a panel chaired by Liam Cronin, UCD’s Director of Innovation, with representatives from Delta Partners VC and Elkstone.
Ricardo Simon Carbajo, CeADAR’s Director of Innovation and Development and Programme Director for the EDIH for AI, said plans are underway to expand the programme in 2026. “The CeADAR and NovaUCD teams will build on the programme’s successes to date and further strengthen the programme and support the growth of Ireland’s AI ecosystem,” he said.
Other participating start-ups included Ailtir, Leapifai, NestiFi, PacSana, Reactable AI, Run Audit, UniDoodle and UnitMode.
Top image: Stephen O’Dwyer, Founder and CEO, TrojanTrack. Photo: Paul Sharp/SHARPPIX
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