Catalyst releases shortlist for Invent competition
The 12 finalists of the Invent competition for 2024 have been announced. Organised by Northern Ireland’s science and technology hub Catalyst with headline partner Bank of Ireland, Invent pits 12 for early-stage start-ups and aspiring entrepreneurs in six categories in front of a panel of expert judges.
This year entries will be judged in six categories: green horizons; living well; creative leisure; biobreakthroughs; unchartered ideas; and future business.
Each category winner will take home £5,000 and the overall winner walking away with an additional £20,000, totalling a £25,000 top prize.
Last year’s winners, Plugable, has since launched its pilot in the UK & Irish markets, introduced their product, opened their fundraising round, and raised £150,000 in equity-free funding, all while remaining bootstrapped.
- Green horizons: e-breathe, zeco
- Living well: MediPacks, Cybersyd
- Creative leisure: KIJN, The Switchboard Network
- Biobreakthroughs: Dia Beta Labs, Galvani Tech
- Unchartered ideas: TalkTerms, Bikeloxz
- Future business: ITUS Secure Technologies, Equipple
Meg Magill, Invent programme manager at Catalyst, said: “Every year we are amazed by the talented pool of entrepreneurs across Northern Ireland and this year’s participants are no different. With six new categories this year, we are delighted to see the 2024 Invent candidates create clever, problem-solving and commercially thought-out ideas across a range of industries. Good luck to all finalists and we look forward to the awards ceremony in October.”
Niall Devlin, head of business banking NI at Bank of Ireland, said: “This year’s Invent participants have once again demonstrated a really high standard of innovation and entrepreneurship, with ideas and businesses that are both original and commercial, which makes the judging decisions hugely difficult.
It’s inspiring to see the vision, creativity, ambition and entrepreneurial spirit that exists across Northern Ireland. We have selected 12 outstanding finalists, showcasing the best of our economic and enterprising future talent. These are tomorrow’s business leaders, each offering new solutions with local and global potential. Congratulations to all the finalists, we wish them every success as they progress through the remaining stages of the competition, and we are very much looking forward to announcing the winners at the Invent awards later this year.”
The Invent awards ceremony will be hosted at the ICC Waterfront in Belfast on 3 October 2024.
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