Cork company ApisProtect receives €1.5 million investment boost to create 25 new jobs

20 Nov

ApisProtect, an Irish agtech innovator using the Internet of Things (IoT) to monitor honey bee colonies, announced the close of a €1.5 million seed round of financing led by top-tier international venture capital investors Finistere Ventures and Atlantic Bridge Capital. Radicle Growth, the Yield Lab and Enterprise Ireland also participated in the investment round.

Make a Mark wins Best Business Idea at Start-Up Lab at UCC

13 Nov

Make a Mark, a product to apply marking fluid to sheep, was named as Best Business Idea at the Start-Up Lab at UCC workshops on 13 November 2018. The business idea was pitched by First Year BSc (Government) student Mary Murphy.

IGNITE is Open for Expressions of Interest for 2019

02 Nov

We are now open for Expressions of Interest from individuals or teams considering an application to either IGNITE11, starting April 2019, or IGNITE12, starting October 2019.

Milis Bio wins at IGNITE Awards & Showcase 2018

20 Sep

Success has a low-calorie flavour as Milis Bio is named Bank of Ireland/IGNITE Business of the Year 2018.

Start-up Lab at UCC is Back!

11 Sep

Start-Up Lab at UCC is looking for people with passion currently working either full-time or part-time on scalable start-up ideas that have potential for commercial or social impact and with the ambition to work full-time on the idea in the future.

OnTheQT.ie, Evolve Therapy and Shopless nominated for the 2018 Cork Digital Marketing Awards

10 Aug

The nominees for the 5th Annual Cork Digital Marketing Awards are in, and this year three IGNITE startups have been nominated. These include OnTheQT.ie (Founder, Stephanie Lynch), Evolve Therapy (Founder, Emily Ahern) and Shopless (Founder and CEO, Niamh Parker).

Royal Visit: The Prince of Wales meets Fiona-Edwards Murphy of ApisProtect

15 Jun

University College Cork’s brightest entrepreneurial talent was in royal company on Thursday June 14, as students and alumni assembled to welcome HRH The Prince of Wales to campus. 

IGNITE hits Dublin for contacts, mentors and talks

05 May

Making contacts, meeting mentors and learning from expert talks were the objectives when IGNITE hit Dublin for 24 hours on 3/4 May.

ApisProtect places 2nd at the Finals of Ideas from Europe

25 Apr

On April 24 2018 in the Knights’ Hall in The Hague at the Finals of Ideas from Europe, twelve passionate innovators presented their sustainable solutions for today's global issues.

Open Call for Applications to IGNITE Autumn 2018

13 Apr

We are open for applications to the next IGNITE programme starting in October 2018.

Official opening of new facility for IGNITE startup AnaBio Technologies

29 Mar

On Monday 26 March AnaBio Technologies LTD celebrated the inauguration of its Centre of Excellence for Encapsulation Technologies in Carrigtwohill, Co.Cork. Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Mr Michael Creed TD officiated over the inauguration.

KneeMetrics wins Best Business Idea at UCC Start-Up Lab

14 Mar

KneeMetrics, a product to aid rehabilitation after knee surgery, was named as Best Business Idea at the Start-Up Lab at UCC workshops on 13 March 2018. 

Open Call for Applications to IGNITE Spring 2018

12 Feb

We are open for applications to the next IGNITE programme starting in April 2018.

Conor Lyden, CEO, Trustap wins in Ireland's Best Young Entrepreneur Regional Finals

15 Jan

IGNITE founder Conor Lyden, CEO, Trustap was awarded the prize of Best Startup in Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur Regional Finals on Monday evening and will now go on to the National IBYE Finals in Dublin.

Apis Protect shortlisted in the Cork Chamber Cork Company of the year 2018 Awards

08 Jan

IGNITE start-up Apis Protect has been shortlisted in the Cork Chamber Cork Company of the Year 2018 awards in the Best Emerging Company category.

IGNITE wins at Ireland's Best Young Entrepreneur Cork Finals

15 Dec

IGNITE Founder Conor Lyden, TrustAp was named as Best Young Entrepreneur 2018 for Local Enterprise Office South Cork at the Cork local IBYE awards. 

IGNITE in India for Global Entrepreneurship Summit 2017

28 Nov

Four IGNITE alumni are set to join 1500 other entrepreneurs and investors at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Hyderabad, India, 28 - 30 November 2017.

IGNITE at Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur Cork Boot Camp

20 Nov

Seven IGNITE start-ups made the shortlist for the Ireland's Best Young Entrepreneur Cork Boot Camp at the Celtic Ross Hotel, Rosscarbery, 24-25 November 2017.

Peckish Named Best Business Idea at UCC Start-Up Workshops

15 Nov

Paul O’Shea’s Peckish was named as Best Business Idea at the finale of the Autumn 2017 Start-Up Workshops on 13 November 2017. Other winners on the night were Kate Morris for EquiClean and Dave Calnan for SourceAcademy.

ApisProtect wins at IGNITE Showcase & Awards 2017

29 Sep

ApisProtect was announced as Bank of Ireland/IGNITE Business of the Year 2017 at the IGNITE Showcase & Awards in a packed Aula Maxima, UCC on 28 September 2017.

Start-Up Workshops Closing Date Weds 27 Sept 2017

20 Sep

Our Start-Up Workshops, run as a collaboration between IGNITE and Blackstone Launchpad at University College Cork and supported by Bank of Ireland, are designed to help anyone with a good business idea to develop a robust business model.

IGNITE Awards & Showcase 2017

08 Aug

The annual IGNITE Awards & Showcase event will take place on Thursday 28 September 2017 to celebrate the achievements of our graduate entrepreneurs.

Alumni News - OnTheQT.ie Launches New Travel Show

13 Jul

Cork’s RedFM have partnered with award winning travel website OnTheQT.ie to launch a brand new tv series for online called Red Travel.

Thursday, July 13th, 2017 11:20am

Source: http://www.redfm.ie/news/cork/redfm-launch-new-online-travel-tv-series/

IGNITE startup ApisProtect Secures €100,000 Investment

09 Jul

ApisProtect buzzing with €100k to help save bees
Source: The Sunday Business Post, 9 July 2017
BY ELAINE O’REGAN
Sourcelink: https://www.businesspost.ie/business/apisprotect-buzzing-e100k-help-save-bees-392931

Alumni News - KonnectAgain secures funding for expansion

09 Jul

Software company to raise bar with its hire hopes
Source: The Sunday Business Post, 9 July 2017

BY EMMET RYAN
Sourcelink: https://www.businesspost.ie/technology/software-company-raise-bar-hire-hopes-392883

IGNITE Open for Applications - Closing 26 May 2017

04 Apr

IGNITE 2017/2018 is now open for applications. The announcement was made at the IGNITE Open Information Evening in UCC's Western Gateway Building on 4th April. The programme is open for applications until Friday, May 26^th.

IGNITE Open Evening 2017/18

29 Mar

Call For Applications IGNITE 2018 (starting September 2017)

When: 18.00 Tuesday 4 April 2017

Where: Western Gateway Building, UCC

Richard Barrett Wins Google Award at IBYE

05 Mar

Richard Barrett, co-founder of Pundit Arena with Ross O’Dwyer, was presented with the Best Promotion of Business On-Line Google Award at the National Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur Finals at Google’s European Headquarters on 5^th March 2017.

Emerald de Leeuw Wins European Young Innovator of the Year Award

25 Jan

Emerald de Leeuw was announced as winner of the 2016 European Young Innovator of the Year by the European Young Innovators Forum. The announcement was made at Unconvention2017 in Brussels on 25^th January 2017.

IGNITE Start-Ups Vie for Cork Chamber Emerging Company of the Year 2017

09 Jan

Two IGNITE start-ups were announced among the three companies shortlisted for Cork Chamber Emerging Company of the Year 2017.

Make 2017 The Year to Start Your Business

09 Dec

Have you a great business idea but don't know where to start?

Sign up to Start-Up Workshops by IGNITE and Bank of Ireland Workbench on or before Monday 19 December 2016.

IGNITE Welcomes Deirdre Clune MEP

17 Nov

Deirdre Clune, MEP for Ireland South, visited IGNITE on Thursday 17^th Nov 2016.

IGNITE at IBYE Boot Camp 2016

06 Nov

IGNITE and UCC were well represented at Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur IBYE Boot Camp over the weekend of 4th/6th November.

Musgrave Group Partners with IGNITE

01 Nov

IGNITE has announced details of sponsorship that sees Musgrave Group partner the business innovation programme that helps recent graduates launch sustainable businesses.

Vconnecta Wins 2016 Smart Technology Innovation Award

20 Oct

Vconnecta Ltd was awarded the 2016 Smart Technology Innovation Award at IT@Cork European Tech Cluster Leaders Awards. 

Pundit Arena to Target US Market

03 Oct

Irish sports media start-up, Pundit Arena, recently announced plans to raise €3M and target the US market in 2017.

Packed House for IGNITE 2017 Launch Reception

03 Oct

Ten aspiring graduate entrepreneurs, working on exciting start-up businesses were introduced on Monday, October 3rd at a packed reception at the Western Gateway Building, UCC, to mark the launch of the 7th IGNITE Graduate Business Innovation Programme.

Awards and Showcase 2016 Top Prize goes to Allmin Resources Ireland Ltd.

28 Jun

Sponsored by Bank of Ireland, EY and J.W. O'Donovan Solicitos, awards were presented in several categories, among them the overall 'Business of the Year,' as well as prizes for 'Business Plan and 'Innovation'.

IGNITE Wins National European Enterprise Promotion Award 2016

13 Sep

The IGNITE Graduate Business Innovation Programme was recently named as Irish National European Enterprise Promotion Award Winner 2016. 

IGNITE 2016 participants compete for top prizes

15 Jun

Five Awards will be presented at the annual Awards & Showcase event on Wednesday, 27th June 2016 at 6.00pm to celebrate the achievements of our graduate entrepreneurs.

Irish-Based Sports Media Platform, Pundit Arena Raises €650,000

01 Feb

Irish based sports media platform; Pundit Arena, has raised a seed round of €650,000 from a collection of angel investors, based both in Ireland and the United States.  Pundit Arena, the leading sports media platform that enables articulate fans to become paid journalists through their unique revenue-share model has grown to more than 300 writers and over 1.4 million monthly users in the last year.

IGNITE Graduate Business Innovation Programme Information Evening

25 Apr

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Successful IGNITE start-up Pundit Arena founders to speak at IGNITE Open Information Evening

21 Apr

Richard Barrett and Ross O’Dwyer, cofounders of Pundit Arena (www.punditarena.com), Danny O’Donovan founder of SUPP (www.supp.ie) and, current participant, Alpa Agrawal, founder of Allmin Resources Ireland Ltd (www.allminresources.com) will share their stories at this year's IGNITE Open Information Evening.

AnaBio Technologies to Invest €200,000 in NPD Facility – Create 11 New Jobs

29 Feb

Biotech company Anabio Technologies Ltd has announced that it will invest €200,000 in a New Product Development facility at Teagasc’s Food Research Centre in Fermoy, Co. Cork and grow the workforce to 24 over the coming 12 months.

IGNITE 2016 Launch Reception

12 Oct

The launch of the 6th IGNITE Graduate Business Innovation Programme in UCC sees 14 enthusiastic graduates of University College Cork, Cork Institute of Technlogy and Dublin City University with Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Molecular Cell Biology, Cloud Computing, Business Information Systems, Food Science, Commerce and Law. This year’s businesses are developing products and services in areas as diverse as medicine and health, food and ICT.

Bitcove scoop top prize at IGNITE 2015 Awards evening.

25 Jun

Bitcove.ie is awarded the Business of the Year Award, Key wins Innovation of the Year Award and eXtensicon wins Business Plan Award at the 2015 IGNITE Showcase and Awards evening in the Aula Maxima in UCC on Wednesday the 24th June.

IGNITE 2015 participants compete for top prizes.

23 Jun

The completion of the fifth phase of the IGNITE Graduate Business Innovation Programme will celebrate the progress and achievements of this year's eleven start up businesses at the Awards and Showcase evening.

If You Have a Great Start-Up Idea, Why Are You Waiting to Get Started?

01 May

If You Have a Great Start-Up Idea, Why Are You Waiting to Get Started!

That was the key message from the speakers at the IGNITE Graduate Business Innovation Programme Information Evening on Thursday 30^th April 2015.

3 Inspiring Start-Up Stories at IGNITE Information Evening

06 May

A capacity audience heard three inspiring start-up stories at the IGNITE Graduate Business Innovation Programme Open Information Evening on Tuesday 6^th May.

2015 IGNITE Open Information Evening

13 Apr

This year’s Information Evening for the 6^th IGNITE Graduate Business Innovation Programme will be held in UCC’s Western Gateway Building at 6.00pm on Thursday, 30^th April 2015.

IGNITE Welcomes Minister Ged Nash

06 Feb

Ged Nash, TD, Minister of State at the Department for Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation with special responsibility for Business & Employment and Ciaran Lynch, TD for Cork South Central visited IGNITE on Friday 6^th Feb.

Microfinance Ireland partners IGNITE Graduate Business Innovation Programme

26 Jan

Microfinance Ireland (MFI) has announced details of a partnership with the IGNITE Graduate Business Innovation Programme that sees €1/4 million finance ring-fenced for young entrepreneurs undertaking the nine month business incubation programme, based at UCC, which is aimed at nurturing, developing and strengthening entrepreneurial potential.

IGNITE Bag Awards at Ireland's Best Young Entrepreneur Regional Finals

13 Oct

The IGNITE Graduate Business Innovation Programme and UCC was well represented at Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneurs Awards in Cork and Waterford.

IGNITE 2015 Launch Reception

07 Oct

The launch of the 5^th IGNITE Graduate Business Programme in UCC sees 15 enthusiastic graduates from UCC, CIT, UL and UCD with qualifications in information systems, computer science, physics, commerce and marketing working on 12 exciting business ideas in industry sectors as diverse as energy, IT, food, health & fitness and social media.

IGNITE 2014's ten start-ups go head to head in this year's Showcase and Awards Night.

16 Jun

This year's IGNITE Graduate Business Innovation Programme Awards and Showcase will celebrate the progress and achievements to date of ten graduate led start-ups and mark an important milestone with the completion of the fourth phase of the programme.

Pundit Arena awarded top prize at IGNITE 2014 Showcase and Awards Night.

26 Jun

PunditArena.com scoops Business of the the Year Award, Problem wins Business Plan Award, and AgTeCH4 wins Innovation of the Year Award, at IGNITE's 2014 Showcase and Awards night held in the Aula Maxima in UCC on Wednesday the 25th June. 

Winners Announced at IGNITE 2013 Awards

26 Jun

AnaBio Technology Ltd wins Business of the Year Award, VConnecta Ltd wins Business Plan Award, Mohago Ltd wins Innovation Award at IGNITE’s 2013 Showcase. Eight businesses of the future were recognised today (Wednesday 26 June) at IGNITE Graduate Business Innovation Programme’s Awards and Showcase held at a packed Aula Maxima, UCC.

IGNITE's Sarah Dineen Receives Investment Offer on Dragon's Den

15 May

Sarah Dineen became the youngest female entreprenuer to receive investment from RTÉ’s Dragons’ Den following successful pitch of UniWink.com business concept.

An Effective Fund Raising Journey - Raomal Perera Speaks at UCC

26 Mar

Hear Raomal Perera talk about how he raised over €27 million to help build Network365 as a global company.

AnaBio wins Cork Chamber Emerging Company of the Year Award 2014

07 Feb

Dr Sinead Doherty's AnaBio Technologies Ltd was named as Cork Chamber of Commerce Emerging Company of the Year 2014 at Cork Chamber Annual Dinner on 7th Feb.

IGNITE is pleased to host an audience with Pat Falvey

12 Apr

Pat Falvey is best known as a mountaineer, an adventurer and an explorer. He is the first person in the world to have twice reached the highest peak on each of the seven continents, including Mt Everest from both Nepal and Tibet. He has led four expeditions to Mt Everest, reaching the summit twice. He has crossed Antarctica to the South Pole, traversed Greenland over shifting ice flows and completed many more life-changing expeditions. Less well known is that Pat left school at 15, was a millionaire at 20, overtraded and went broke at 29, rebuilt and retired at 40.

IGNITE 2012 alumnus Portable Medical Technologies Ltd achieves CE approval for their ONCOassist mobile app.

18 Dec

Portable Medial Technologies become the 1^st Irish company and only the 3^rd company worldwide to achieve CE approval for a mobile app.

IGNITE's 2012 Best Company Award

19 Dec

Portable Medical Technology Ltd was the winner of the ‘Best Company’ award presented at a recent reception honouring IGNITE 2012 graduates at the Western Gateway Building, UCC.

Ireland's First 5-Star University

05 Sep

University College Cork (UCC) has achieved the unique status of becoming Ireland’s first five star university and has once again improved its position in world rankings announced today (September 5th 2011) in the QS World University Rankings.

UCC launches new MSc (Innovation Commercialisation and Entrepreneurship

12 May

The MSc (Innovation, Commercialisation and Entrepreneurship) commencing in September 2011, is a full-time one year programme offering a multi-disciplinary perspective on Innovation, Commercialistion and Entrepreneurship.

Applications now open for IGNITE programme 2011/2012,

07 Apr

Applications are now being welcomed from graduates of any discipline, from any 3rd level institution for IGNITE 2011/2012.

PRESS RELEASE - NONE ISSUE 2

03 May

NONE is an Irish based, internationally staffed, globally concerned fashion and lifestyle magazine providing a platform for the riskier elements of Design, Art, Theatre, Music and Story.

PRESS RELEASE - NONE LAUNCH

05 Apr

NONE is an Irish based, internationally staffed, globally concerned fashion and lifestyle magazine providing a platform for the riskier elements of Design, Art, Theatre, Music and Story.

PRESS RELEASE - Mike McGrath creates Supply.ie

17 Jul

Mike McGrath creates Supply.ie to assist buyers to source great local suppliers with competitive quotes

PRESS RELEASE: IGNITES's Damian Drohan recognised by the Sunday Times

07 Aug

Cork photographer and IGNITE participant, Damian Drohan was featured recently in the Sunday Times' Culture Magazine for his project on Irish World War 2 Veterans.

IGNITE 2014 Launch Reception

15 Oct

The launch of the 4^th IGNITE Graduate Business Programme in UCC sees 14 entrepreneurs striking out to conquer the business world across the food and nutrition, engineering, education, fashion and ICT sectors amongst others.

IGNITE 2013 Awards and Showcase - Now Even Bigger!

07 Jun

This year, the IGNITE Graduate Business Innovation Programme Awards and Showcase will be better than ever. To reflect the significant progress made by the programme since it was launched just two years ago, this year we will present Awards in five categories based on the judgements of four experienced business people and with the generous support of our three Awards sponsors.

Launch Of the Ignite Programme

12 Nov

Friday 12 Nov 2010 -IGNITE, a new Centre designed to give graduates professional help with business start-ups, was launched at University College Cork (UCC) today (November 12th 2010) by Mr Billy Kelleher TD, Minister for Trade & Commerce.

An IGNITE "Ideas Generation & Wealth Creation" Workshop

15 Nov

An IGNITE "Ideas Generation & Wealth Creation" Workshop will be held on Wed, November 24th 2010 at 6pm

Opportunity for Entrepreneurial Graduates at UCC IGNITE

29 Nov

A new Centre designed to give graduates professional help with business start-ups, was launched at University College Cork (UCC) today (November 12th 2010) by Mr Billy Kelleher TD, Minister for Trade & Commerce.

IGNITE's "Business Ideas & Wealth Creation" workshop

15 Dec

Pictured from left: Michael O'Connor, CORKBIC, Declan Fox, MAGELLAN PARTNERS, Rónán O'Dubhghaill, UCC, Miriam Collins, IGNITE UCC, Pat Lynch, COMPLIANCE & RISKS and Dick Lehane, Chairman IGNITE ADVISORY BOARD

IGNITE Gets Underway

02 Feb

Front Row: Left to Right; Aylmer Barrett, Will Martin, Sarah Jane O’Sullivan, Andrew Hobbs, Damian Drohan.

Back Row: Left to Right; Mike McGrath, Mike Broderick, Peter Power, Miki Barlok, Niall O’Sullivan, Artemij Fedosejev.

IGNITE start-up SUPPLY.IE awarded €50,000 attracts strategic investment

09 Nov

Pictured at the announcement of the companies that have been awarded funding under Enterprise Ireland’s Competitive Start Fund for software start-ups were Tom Cusack, Enterprise Ireland Manager, High Potential Start Ups (left) Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD (centre) and Mike McGrath of Supply.ie. (right)

Supply.ie wins Best Company Award at IGNITE's first Awards Ceremony

19 Dec

Mike McGrath, founder of Supply.ie emerged as the principal winner at the inaugural awards ceremony of UCC’s IGNITE programme. As well as receiving the “Most Collegial” award as nominated by his peers on the Programme, Supply.ie won the Best Company award.

INNOVATION WEEK – INNOV8

09 Jan

IGNITE & UCC’s Entrepreneurial & Social Society PRESENT INNOVATION WEEK – INNOV8 ALL WELCOME

Enter the Ireland Funds Business Plan Competition

21 Mar

CALLING ALL STUDENTS!! HAS YOUR BUSINESS PLAN GOT SPARK?

Enter the Ireland Funds Business Plan Competition for a chance to WIN €10,000 !!!!!

Applications now open for IGNITE programme 2012/2013

01 May

Are you a graduate or are you about to graduate?

Do you want to set up your own business?

Need funding and support?

An IGNITE "Business Ideas & Wealth Creation Workshop

26 Apr

Calling all budding entrepreneurs…

Network Cork supports IGNITE programme to encourage young female entrepreneurs

13 Sep

Ahead of the 2012 IGNITE participants being announced, Network Cork will provide free membership along with mentoring to any female participants of the programme.

OPEN MINDS TO OPEN MARKETS - Rethinking the SME Market Place: New Opportunities in Europe

01 Oct

Saturday 6th October 2012, 9:30am – 2pm Boole 1, University College Cork

To encourage SME’s to look to Europe as a viable market place, Network Cork in association with the European Parliament is organizing a half day seminar in Boole 1 UCC on Saturday 6^th October.

UCC announces the appointment of Eamon Curtin

10 Oct

UCC announces the appointment of Eamon Curtin to lead the IGNITE Graduate Business Innovation Programme.