The Bank of Ireland 2014 Startup Awards were announced in the magnificent surroundings of the Royal Hibernian Academy in Dublin on Thursday 23rd October, 2014. The overall list of winners is below but I also want to acknowledge the 700 small businesses that took the time to enter the competition some 5 months ago. The judging process was rigorous and the final shortlist is testament to the very high quality of startups in Ireland and the diversity as represented across the many sectors in the awards categories.
It’s often a misused term but in awards programmes of this kind, it is fair to say that everyone is a winner. Let me qualify that; the Startup Awards process asks small businesses to examine their business across four categories – Vision, Goals, Strategy and Achievements. It’s an opportunity for small businesses to practice and refine their business plan by using the Startup Awards as a sounding board. So the awards programme should be seen as a stepping stone or learning point on the way to building a business.
I’ll come back to the presentation process in another post but suffice to say it was easy to separate those who practiced their presentation from those that did not. Let’s be clear, the better pitch doesn’t necessarily mean a better product or service but it leaves a better impression which leaves you better positioned for more in-depth follow ups. Again, part of the learning process or practice makes perfect.
Neil Doyle, Michael O’Brien, Samantha Kelly and Christine Meehan
One of my standout memories from the process was the presentation by the national finalists in Bank of Ireland’s Enterprise Lounge on Dublin’s Grafton Street. The passion, energy and enthusiasm of the entrepreneurs presenting was an uplifting experience and as a judge I want to thank those companies for giving me an insight into what makes an entrepreneur tick. I’m already looking forward to the 2015 Startup Awards.
It was a great night and thanks again to all those companies that made the time and effort. That’s me, second from left, celebrating with Samantha Kelly who won the Startup Hero award.
To the Bank of Ireland 2014 Startup Awards winners and runners up:
Digital / Online Startup of the Year
Gold ZenDoc
Silver Restored Hearing
Bronze Pundit Arena
Tech Startup of the Year
Gold Aralis
Silver OxyMem
Bronze Agile Networks
Innovative Startup of the Year
Gold OxyMem
Silver Pharmapod
Bronze Real World Retail
Product Startup of the Year
Gold Nutriband
Silver Slugs and Snails
Bronze Stayhold
Service Startup of the Year
Gold Agile Networks
Silver Coindrum
Bronze Sasta Fitness
Retail / Franchise Startup of the Year
Gold Adam and Friends
Silver Slugs and Snails
Bronze The Design Loft
Home or Craft-Based Startup of the Year
Gold Holos Skincare From Nature
Silver Kookee
Bronze Kinnegar Brewing
Women in Business Startup of the Year
Gold Pharmapod
Silver The Care Team
Bronze Sasta Fitness
Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Gold Nutriband
Silver Bru Brewery
Bronze KLF Corporate
AIS (Accelerator, incubator, Support Agency) of the Year
NDRC Launch Pad
Import / Export Startup of the Year
Gold Glanola
Silver Nutritics
Bronze KLF Corporate
Food & Drink Entrepreneurial Startup of the Year
Gold Gaelic Escargot
Silver Bru Brewery
Bronze Richmount Cordial Company
Social Enterprise Startup of the Year
Gold Like Charity
Silver Future Voices of Ireland
Bronze Rewrite Science
Startup Hero
Samantha Kelly – Irish Biz Party
Grand Prix – Startup Business of the Year
Agile Networks
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Related:Pre-budget submission every small business should read, Get a foundation of success for your start up
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