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A Huge Thank You to Our UCC Student Entrepreneur Awards Finalists!
Ten exceptional student-led teams showcased their innovative start-up ideas at the 2025 UCC Student Entrepreneur Awards, tackling real-world challenges in health, education, sustainability, and more. Their creativity, dedication, and entrepreneurial spirit made UCC proud and inspired everyone who attended.
UCC proudly congratulates the ten exceptional student-led teams who took part as finalists in the 2025 Student Entrepreneur Awards. These inspiring ventures tackled real-world challenges across health tech, education, sustainability, digital content, and more — showcasing creativity, clarity, and months of dedicated work.
Each team delivered a compelling pitch, reflecting their passion for solving meaningful problems and their commitment to making a difference. The standard was incredibly high, and all ten teams demonstrated the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit that defines UCC.
Meet the 2025 finalists and their innovative ideas:
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Preksha Sharma – Companion Plus
Personalised companionship services for older adults to reduce loneliness, powered by empathy and smart technology. -
David Cashman – The WellSchools Network
A trauma-informed education platform focused on teacher well-being and inclusive practices in schools. -
Ruth Hendrick – TAG (Target Alert Group)
A mobile app that improves real-time emergency response in schools and workplaces. -
Mamtha M Vathar Ramya Gowda & Shane Collins – SOMNI
A non-invasive AI-powered wearable for early detection of sleep apnoea, designed with elderly users in mind. -
Aritra Sinha & Tiziana Racca – CraveShift
A digital health app that supports users in managing cravings through dopamine-optimised, science-based food choices. -
Tom O'Callaghan – Reinforcement Learning Trading
An AI platform for smart energy trading in Ireland’s electricity market, driving both sustainability and profitability. -
Orla Coffey – UGC.ie
A platform connecting businesses with everyday creators to produce authentic and engaging video content. -
Daniel Cagney – PortSense
A maritime navigation tool using AI and real-time data to enhance port efficiency and lower emissions. -
Marco Faggiani – EaseTalk
An app that helps people who stammer by offering AI-driven speech practice and therapist-linked tracking. -
Sofia El Haouari – Vanilla Beans Vertical Farming
Ireland’s first vertical farm for organic vanilla, offering a local, sustainable alternative to imports.
Thank you to all the finalists for representing UCC with such passion and innovation. We look forward to seeing where your entrepreneurial journeys take you next!