Mayo companies to showcase at Seedcorn Investor Readiness Competition
InterTradeIreland is hosting the Connacht and Leinster final of the Seedcorn Investor Readiness Competition on October 18 at the Hudson Bay Hotel, Athlone.
Six start-up companies - two from Mayo - will compete for a place in the All-Island final on November 9.
The InterTradeIreland Seedcorn Investor Readiness Competition is the largest business competition of its kind on the island of Ireland, with an overall prize fund of €300,000.
The leaders of the six innovative start-up and early-stage companies will present their case to the judges, demonstrating why they believe their business is investor-ready. Regional winners will receive a prize of €20,000 along with the opportunity to compete for the overall €100,000 prize at the final.
Competing in the New Start category are Grun Robotics from Westport, who manufacture and sells autonomous robots for the golf industry.
Competing in the Early Stage category are Galenband from Ballina, who have developed a diagnostic heart telemetry system that provides clinicians with long-term heart data.
As part of the regional final, companies will pitch their business plan to a panel of industry judges including Martin Agnew (InterTradeIreland), Colm O Sullivan (Furthr VC), Aine Denn (Halo Business Angel Network) and Fiona Bennington (Catalyst Inc). This process will mirror a real-life investment process and each finalist will receive expert feedback on its business plan and pitch, as well as increased exposure to investors.
Connor Sweeney, Seedcorn Programme Manager at InterTradeIreland, said: “Since 2003, the InterTradeIreland Seedcorn Investor Readiness Competition has played an instrumental role in the development of innovative start-ups. This year’s Seedcorn Connacht and Leinster final is a showcase of the best young companies that are starting up across the region. This competition affords them the opportunity to access new investor networks, receive valuable feedback on their business plans and their business profile.
“As always, the standard of entrants was incredibly high, and the judges were extremely impressed with all the submissions. It is a great achievement to be shortlisted, we wish the best of luck to all participants competing at the upcoming Connacht and Leinster final.”
For the third consecutive year, an additional €20,000 prize will be awarded for best investment proposal from a company operating in the low carbon/green sector.