Start-Ups Face Off in Enterprise Awards Battle
Best Investment Proposal Set to Win Euro10,000
Three companies, each seeking expansion funding, will next week battle it out at the Docklands Innovation Park Enterprise Awards to secure the title of best investment proposal for 2009. The overall winner will receive €10,000 and runners up will get €1,500 each. Ronan Higgins from Locle, Mary Skelly from Microbide and Matt Bonner from Trezur will each have 15 minutes to present their investment proposals before being grilled on their plans. The judging panel comprises Michael Murphy of NCB Ventures and Sean Melly of Powerscourt Investments as well as former DIT Hothouse Venture Programme graduates, Sean Mitchell from Movidia and Michael Farrelly from TNS Media Market.
Pictured are the three finalists from left: Ronan Higgins Locle; Mary Skelly Microbide and Matt Bonner Trezur.
Now in its seventh year, the Docklands Innovation Park Enterprise Awards programme is the initiative of DIT Hothouse and the Bolton Trust and is aimed at showcasing the best innovative companies to investors and those with an interest in start-ups. Previous winners include: Breakout Interactive (2008); Officemetrics (2007); Ripple Software Ltd (2006); Glantreo Ltd (2005); Sigmoid Pharma (2004) and Allergy Standards Ltd (2003). This year awards will be presented by Paul Maloney, Chief Executive, Dublin Docklands Development Authority.
The Awards Evening, which will take place on Thursday 26 February 2009 at the Docklands Innovation Park on Dublin’s East Wall Road, is open to those with an interest in ‘Start-Ups’. Advance registration is required as places are limited. To register to attend, email: info@boltontrust.com or contact Maureen at 01 240 1345.
Bolton Trust
The Bolton Trust was established in 1987 at the height of Ireland’s ‘brain drain’ to promote an enterprise culture and to offer young entrepreneurs an opportunity to develop their business ideas in Ireland. There are now 400 people currently employed by the 70 companies based at the 150,000 square foot Docklands Innovation Park on Dublin’s East Wall Road. The Trust is committed to helping the growth of indigenous Irish enterprises and fostering entrepreneurship. Visit the website: www.boltontrust.com
Hothouse
Hothouse is the award winning Innovation and Technology Transfer Centre at Dublin Institute of Technology. A magnetic energy hub, Hothouse draws in entrepreneurial and academic talent. Based in Docklands Innovation Park, it is a place that ignites creativity and provides an exciting and dynamic environment to fast-track businesses and technologies to
commercial enterprises.
The Hothouse Venture Programme is a one-year training and support programme aimed at experienced graduate entrepreneurs engaged in the process of establishing knowledge-intensive businesses with global potential. The Programme is designed to help participants develop the necessary entrepreneurial skills and extend their practical business knowledge to enable them to start and grow sustainable companies. Launched in 2001 the Programme has to date provided training and support to more than 200 entrepreneurs. A recent survey of previous participant companies indicated that 145 companies have created in excess of 950 jobs. The 17th Hothouse Venture Programme will commence in March 2009.
