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Neurobell’s Mark O’ Sullivan announced as “Founder of the Year” at Enterprise Ireland’s High Potential Start-up Awards
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Mark O'Sullivan, CEO and Co-founder of UCC and INFANT spin-out company NeuroBell was announced last night as "Founder of the Year 2025" at Enterprise Ireland's High Potential Start-Up Awards.
Founded in 2023, Neurobell aims to revolutionise seizure detection in newborns in NICUs, crucial for early intervention in brain injury cases like epilepsy and cerebral palsy. Its first product, Luna, is a pocket-sized wireless brain monitor that enables routine monitoring of babies across various hospital settings without the need for specialised expertise, allowing for timely intervention and treatment.
The Enterprise Ireland Founder of the Year Awards recognise and celebrate the dedication of entrepreneurs and start-ups working to build world-class companies of the future. Five finalists were shortlisted for the 2025 Award, each nominated by their peers and actively engaged in Enterprise Ireland’s High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) Founders Forum over the past year.
On receiving the award Mark O’Sullivan, CEO and Co-founder of NeuroBell said, “I am deeply honoured to receive this award, particularly as the nominees are selected by Founder peers. Enterprise Ireland has been with us on our start-up journey and we look forward to working them as we scale into the US and European markets. Luna allows healthcare workers in neonatal ICU’s to act quickly with the right information. Our ultimate aim is to grow the business globally, bringing Luna to all hospital settings for the benefit of critically ill infants and their families.”
Addressing the Awards ceremony, Jenny Melia, CEO, Enterprise Ireland said: "The Founder of the Year Awards shine a spotlight on the ambition, innovation and resilience of Ireland’s start-up community. These awards are a celebration of the entrepreneurial spirit that drives high-potential start-ups to scale globally. With over 480 founders having participated in the HPSU Founders Forum to date, this initiative continues to be a powerful platform for peer learning, collaboration and growth.
Congratulating Mark O’ Sullivan on his award, Director of UCC Innovation Dr Sally Cudmore said: “Congratulations to Mark on being recognised as “Founder of the Year” by Enterprise Ireland. Mark took part in UCC’s SPRINT and IGNITE programmes to develop his spin-out idea and hone his commercial skills, and it has been fantastic to witness Mark and Neurobell go from strength to strength on their entrepreneurial journey, creating real-world impact from their expertise, research and creativity.”
Prof Geraldine Boylan, Director of INFANT Research Centre added: “We are immensely proud of Mark and his team. His journey from a PhD student at the INFANT Research Centre at University College Cork to CEO of NeuroBell is a wonderful example of how world-class research and innovation can lead to real societal impact. His success is a testament to his vision and determination, and this recognition from Enterprise Ireland is richly deserved.”