AIB Start-up Academy Summit returns to Belfast!

by Startacus Admin

Northern Ireland startups and entrepreneurs listen up! The AIB Start-up Academy Summit will be back in Belfast and we’ve all the important info you need to bag your free ticket to attend!

The popular all-island networking series is a fantastic opportunity for startups to network and socialise with like-minded entrepreneurs and to hear from well-known and successful business leaders who discuss issues important to the startup community - whilst also sharing tips and advice from their own startup journeys.

As one of only four events across the island, this year, the Belfast leg of the AIB Start-up Academy Summit will take place on the evening of Thursday 9th February at LIFE Church in Belfast, a popular Belfast venue for evening socials and events.

The event is free to attend and those joining the Belfast Summit can expect to meet a host of industry experts including leaders from Google, Grant Thornton, The Irish Times and startup specialists Xcell Partners – all of whom will be on hand to offer practical business advice. A special panel discussion will also take place with some popular business personalities taking to the stage to cover topics from networking and R&D to marketing and leadership.

While networking and enjoying refreshments (sourced from local food start-ups!), attendees can also sit back and hear the all-important elevator pitches from a number of selected startups who are currently battling it out to be crowned this year's AIB Start-up Academy winner and pick up the Academy’s coveted top prize, valued at €200,000!

Now in its third year, the competition element of the AIB Start-up Academy offers companies the chance to win a place on an exclusive mentoring and training programme delivered by the Irish Times and AIB.  Over 450 applications from startups were initially received from companies across the island of Ireland. 10 finalists have been already selected from the main pitching event with a further four places up for grabs as 12 shortlisted companies get a second chance to pitch at the four AIB Start-up Academy Summit across the island.

Speaking about the event, Des Moore, Head of First Trust Bank said;

“We are delighted to host the second AIB Start-up Academy Summit in Belfast and believe it is a fantastic opportunity for local start-ups to network and socialise with like-minded entrepreneurs and to learn from well-known and successful business leaders. We will discuss issues important to the start-up community - whilst also sharing tips and advice from a range of experts and successful entrepreneurs about their own start-up journeys.

We want everyone who attends this evening to take away something which helps them grow their business, whether it be a nugget of information from our panel of experts, advice or a free business tool from our partners as well as a host of new business contacts. Last year’s event was a great success and now with a bigger venue and an impressive range of experts on hand we hope to deliver an evening which is a highlight of the local start-up calendar.”

Last year, the Belfast leg of the AIB Start-up Academy Summit was oversubscribed. As places are limited, if you want to attend, make sure to register as soon as possible for this exciting networking event! 




 

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Published on: 13th January 2017