Northern Ireland Start Up Competition News

by Startacus Admin

We have two Northern Ireland start up competitions for you to look at in this article, so let’s get to it…

Student Entrepreneur Awards

Calling all third level students! If you have an idea with real commercial potential then the Student Entrepreneur Awards are for you! – this could be the first step on the way to becoming your own boss. The closing date is the 17th March so you’d better get your skates on!

So if you think you have an idea that can blow people’s minds then you’ll want to get on board with this – first prize in the competition is €10,000!!! Plus you’ll have the chance to avail of €30,000 worth of specialist advice and assistance to potentially help you turn your enterprise idea into a business reality.

The Student Entrepreneur Awards offers third level students from all academic disciplines and courses the opportunity to realise their entrepreneurial ambitions.

So if the €10,000 prize isn’t enough to entice you to enter – but let’s be honest... it is – then here are a few other reasons this can help you. This could really help you stand out – after all, in today’s competitive employment market, showing initiative and drive can go a long way.

It will enhance your CV – as a winner of this award you’ll have demonstrated the skills, commitment and innovation employers seek. The opportunity to become an entrepreneur – the Student Entrepreneur Awards will give you unique support to be your own boss. Potential career – previous winners are now working with world-leading organisations.

So how do I get started, I hear you say?

The first step is to submit a video about your idea. Keep it short and memorable. If your project is shortlisted, you’ll need to develop a business plan that shows the judges your business idea is viable.

If you have an idea and want to make it stronger, there will be brainstorming sessions in third level institutions throughout Ireland. For more information on this visit the site

Dates to remember (the first memorable date is asap!)

· 17th March – First round closing date – submit your video, make sure it’s no longer than 210 seconds and keep it exciting.

· 1st April - Shortlist announced – the shortlist for 50 projects will be announced and will go forward to the second round.

· 30th April – the top 50 pitches will be requested to submit a business plan.

· 15th May – 10 finalists will be selected and asked to make a presentation.

· 9th June – Finalists will present their ideas to the judging panel in a day-long session that concludes with the Student Entrepreneur Awards ceremony.

So now you know, what are you waiting for? Get your idea in before the closing date on 17th March.

For any more information visit www.studententrepreneurawards.com

Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) Competition

Have you got an idea that could maximise the health benefits of medicines? Could it help a small business expand its market opportunities? Well then...this competition could be for you. The Small Business Research Initiative aims to develop technology solutions to help improve medicines’ adherence.

This would be a great way to help others with your innovation – recent evidence has shown that up to half of medicines prescribed for long term conditions are not taken as recommended – this competition aims to develop new technology solutions that will help optimise the health benefits of medicines through improved adherence by supporting people to take their medicines as prescribed.

So what is the SBRI?

It is a well established process to connect public sector challenges with innovative ideas from industry, supporting companies to generate economic growth and enabling improvement in achieving government objectives.

SBRI also provides innovative solutions to challenges faced by the public sector, leading to better public services and improved efficiency. It generates new business opportunities for companies and provides small and medium sized companies a route to market for their ideas. It supports economic growth and enables the development of innovative products and services through the public procurement of research and development.

The co-sponsors of the Competition are the Department of Health Social Services and Public Safety and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment.

We have avoided all the ‘pat on the back’ quotes that may have been on the official press release for this article and cut to the chase. In essence, if you have a good idea that has something to do with medicine and you believe it can benefit the health of others then why not give this a go and at least check out the official criteria!

Closing date for entry is 7th May at 12 noon.

Penned by Dermot McBride

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Published on: 9th March 2014