Galway-based Konree Innovation is targeting the prestigious European Innovation Council (EIC) accelerator program, which could provide up to €2.5 million in new funding. This significant opportunity would support the company’s mission to eliminate Lepeophtheirus salmonis, a challenge that costs the global salmon production industry up to €4 billion annually.
Founded in 2021 by Margaret Rae and Michael Flynn, Konree Innovation is dedicated to solving one of the most pressing issues in salmon farming. Rae, who served as the Director at the Marine Institute Ireland, from 2015 to 2020. During her research career she was inspired by the potential of fish aquaculture and the challenges that L. salmonis sealice on salmon production pose. She founded Konree Innovation to reliably manage and control sealice, and the company is developing an AI-based system capable of detecting L. salmonis in salmon pens.
“Global salmon production is worth approximately €16 billion annually, but L. salmonis hinder its growth and scalability,” Rae explained. These small parasites, which measure only 5-18 mm, attach to host fish and feed on them.
The company has already made significant progress, attracting €225,000 in funding to date, including €100,000 from Enterprise Ireland’s pre-seed start fund and participation in the New Frontiers program. This support has been crucial in advancing their groundbreaking work.
