Start-ups shine at IGNITE Spring awards
The IGNITE programme at University College Cork (UCC), which nurtures start-ups from idea stage to commercial reality, held its awards and showcase in The Hub, UCC, last Thursday evening.
The programme has worked with 160 start-ups over the last 11 years and these companies have created more than 370 jobs. The start-up founders introduced on the night are developing mobile and web-based apps, innovative clothing and personal services to address problems of dementia care, sports performance, disability access, climate and the environment and personal health and well-being.
Based at UCC, the programme is open to recent graduates in any discipline, from any third level Institution in Ireland, who have the passion and ambition to work full-time on a scalable start-up idea that has potential for economic, environmental or social impact.
Among the startups pitched to an audience of entrepreneurs, business owners and investors were; ForgetMeNot, developing an app that acts as a bespoke and personalised digital memory book for people with dementia; Assistiv providing bespoke assistive technology solutions to enhance workplace accessibility and support individuals with disabilities; MobyShare, designing a digital leasing platform that unlocks your car’s earning potential; Zirkulu, introducing a range of clothing design on the principles of the circular economy; Athlethub, improving access to coaching support for elite athletes and The Mind Mechanic, providing innovative mental wellness services.
WINNERS
Two award categories were introduced for the IGNITE Spring Awards - Investor Ready and Revenue Ready.
Winners announced on the night were: Jack Norman and Fionn McCarthy of Zirkulu, winner of the Bank of Ireland Investor Ready Award; Alan Craughwell of Assistiv, winner of the Local Enterprise Office Revenue Ready Award.
Other awardees on the night included Niamh Murray of ForgetMeNot, winner of the Bank of Ireland Investor Pitch Award and Emily Murphy of The Mind Mechanic, winner of the Local Enterprise Office Sales Pitch Award.
IGNITE Director, Eamon Curtin said it was “fantastic” to be celebrating the startups at UCC once again.
“The founders we are working with are demonstrating that hard work and dedication can ensure that a good idea can be developed into a great business with the right support. We offer seminars, workshops, entrepreneurial guest speakers, mentoring and experts, fundraising and a workspace to help you grow your idea. The programme consists of several valuable resources to help take your start-up to the next level.”
The programme is funded by UCC, Bank of Ireland, the three Local Enterprise Offices of Cork City, South Cork and North & West Cork, Cork City Council and Cork County Council. The awards were determined by an adjudication panel of Maria McKnight of Bank of Ireland; Eileen Moloney, Senior Consultant at CorkBIC and Sean O’Sullivan, Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office South Cork.
Applications will open in May for the next full-time programme commencing in July.