Minister for Research and Innovation Seán Sherlock joined Paddy Cosgrave, founder and CEO, Dublin Web Summit and Margaret Colton, head of marketing and sales, Electric Ireland to announce the finalists of The Electric Ireland Spark of Genius Competition. The winner will be announced at final day of the Dublin Web Summit on 18 October with a prize fund worth €100,000.
The competition, now in its third year, focuses on promising start-ups. Of the 1,000 entries originally submitted, a shortlist of 100 will be offered an opportunity to pitch to leading international investors, (including Google Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz, Kleiner Perkins, Atomico, Accel and many others), industry leaders and start-up experts at the Dublin Web Summit on 17-18 October.
Speaking at the launch, Minister Sherlock said: "The government is committed to encouraging entrepreneurship and I'm delighted to see such a large response to the Electric Ireland Spark of Genius. The competition will give Irish start-ups a great opportunity, putting them in touch with international investors as well as giving them crucial legal and accounting advice."
Margaret Colton, head of marketing, Electric Ireland, said: "At Electric Ireland, we are committed to powering the innovation and the entrepreneurial spirit that is inherent in start-up companies developing in Ireland today. The large number of entries to the Spark of Genius Award this year is only testament to the hunger and drive that is part of the start-up companies in Ireland today and we are delighted to support such ambitions through the Dublin Web Summit."
TechCentral Reporters
Pictured: Paddy Cosgrave, Dublin Web Summit, Margaret Colton, Electric Ireland, Minister for Research and Innovation Sean Sherlock