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IGNITE Start-Ups Shine at the 2023 Spring Awards & Showcase
The IGNITE Awards and Showcase for Spring 2023 was hosted in The Hub, University College Cork with Jonathan Healy as MC.
The event, held on April 27th, boasted an impressive lineup of guest speakers, including Professor John O'Halloran, President of University College Cork, Dr Sally Cudmore, Director of UCC Innovation, and Ian McMorrough, Director of Bank of Ireland Area South. Leo Clancy, Chief Executive Officer of Enterprise Ireland, delivered the keynote speech and emphasized the bright future ahead for Irish enterprises.
Deputy Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Damian Boylan and Deputy Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr Seamus McGrath were also in attendance.
Maria McKnight from Bank of Ireland announced the award winners:
- Bank of Ireland Investor Ready Award: Zirkulu, founded by Jack Norman and Fionn McCarthy.
- Local Enterprise Office Revenue Ready Award: Assistiv, founded by Alan Craughwell.
- Bank of Ireland Investment Pitch: ForgetMeNot, founded by Niamh Murray and Amy Boyden.
- Local Enterprise Office Sales Pitch: The Mind Mechanic, founded by Emily Murphy.
Other finalists were Jeff Gomez, founder of AthletHub, and Abhay Raj, founder of MobyShare. IGNITE program director Eamon Curtin delivered the closing remarks, and IGNITE program manager Michelle Dorgan was praised for her guidance and support.
The adjudication panel included Maria McKnight, Manager at Bank of Ireland and Chair of the Adjudication Panel, Eileen Moloney, Senior Consultant at CorkBIC, and Sean O’Sullivan, Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office South Cork.
The IGNITE Start-up Incubation Programme is supported by University College Cork, Bank of Ireland, the three Local Enterprise Offices of Cork City, South Cork and North & West Cork, Cork City Council, and Cork County Council.
If you are interested in finding out how IGNITE can help you start your business, click here.