TrojanTrack wins One to Watch Award at UCD 2025 AI Ecosystem Accelerator

Equine tech start-up(opens in a new window)TrojanTrackhas won the One to Watch Award following an investor showcase event to mark the conclusion of UCD’s 2025 AI Ecosystem Accelerator programme.

The focus of the six-month programme, delivered byNovaUCD,(opens in a new window)CeADARand the European Digital Innovation Hub for AI in Ireland, was to support entrepreneurs who are developing disruptive AI solutions for a global market.

Using a smartphone and AI, TrojanTrack turns short videos of a horse walking into biomechanical insights. It helps horse trainers and owners to detect potential issues before they become injuries. 

Based at the National Equine Innovation Centre in Co. Kildare, TrojanTrack was founded by Stephen O’Dwyer, a UCD biomedical engineering graduate.

“I am 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 currently has 200+ horses on its platform, and is planning a full commercial launch in Ireland and the UK in 2026.

A total of nine start-ups developing disruptive AI solutions in sectors including advertising, construction, content creation, cybersecurity, education, finance, healthcare and sportstech completed this year’s programme. Collectively, these start-ups are now seeking to raise €10 million in pre-seed or seed funding to accelerate their growth strategies. 

Targeted supports for participants during the AI Ecosystem Accelerator included guidance from CeADAR’s AI experts and experienced commercial mentors, along with workshops on value proposition, scaling and investor readiness. 

Participants also had access to a collaborative co-working space at NovaUCD and the opportunity to connect with successful AI entrepreneurs, start-ups, corporates and investors.

“Ireland has a significant opportunity to shape and benefit from the rapid developments taking place in AI,” saidProfessor Kate Robson Brown, UCD Vice-President for Research, Innovation and Impact.

“Strengthening the links between research, talent and real-world applications will be key to realising that potential. 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.”

By: Rebecca Hastings, Digital Journalist, UCD University Relations (with materials from Micéal Whelan, UCD Research and Innovation)