Winners of InterTrade Ireland Seedcorn Competition 2016

by Startacus Admin

Now in it’s 14th year, theInterTradeIreland Seedcorn Competition is an All-Ireland investor-readiness competition which helps participating startups to prepare their business to raise outside funding. 

It is the biggest business competition in Ireland for new start and early-stage companies, and over the years has become a staple of the Island’s business callander, generating much interest from entrepreneurs, investors, and local thought leaders.  

On November 24th 2016, the winners of the most recent competition which saw over 300 applications were announced at an event at The Waterfront hall in Belfast.

The overall winner of the Seedcorn competition was Dublin-based biotech firm Valitacell, who bagged themselves a €100,000 cash prize (with no transferal of business equity required.)

The other major award of the night was for Best Early-Stage Company, which was won by FinTech startup Gecko Governance from Dundalk.

Valitacell provides analytical support to the biopharmaceutical sector. It assists companies in improving the efficiency and performance of a cell development process that is crucial in the manufacture of monoclonal antibody drugs.   

Dr Terry McWade, CEO of Valitacell said; “I am absolutely delighted to win the overall award at the IntertradeIreland Seedcorn 2016 national final. This competition has taught the whole team a lot and allowed us to refine many aspects of our business. We developed an improved business plan that helped us to refine our message and strategy for investors.” 

Dundalk based Gecko Governance- who incidentally made to the final of the Startacus-hosted pitching competition upSTART Belfast, at Digital DNA back in June- makes regulation technology for the global finance industry that allows fund managers to monitor and manage their regulation and compliance requirements.

Shane Brett, Founder and CEO of Gecko Governance, said; “We are delighted to win best Early Stage company category and the €50,000 cash prize. We will use the prize money to accelerate our expansion plans – specifically in rolling out our London office later this year.

The Seedcorn process helped us build our business plan which was a lot of work but very rewarding in terms of ending with an investor ready business plan in great shape.”

Congrats to all who have taken part and we look forward to the launch of the 2017 competition.

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Published on: 29th November 2016