2020 Review
NUA Surgical, a medical start-up from Galway has been named the Overall Winner of the InterTradeIreland Seedcorn Investor Readiness Competition, pocketing a cash prize of €100,000 at the online awards ceremony on Wednesday 2nd December 2020.
Based out of NUI Galway, NUA Surgical is dedicated to innovating in women’s health. They developed SteriCISION, a novel C-Section retractor that tackles the major unmet needs of the Caesarean Section (C-section). It will largely impact clinicians, hospitals and patients to ensure a safer surgery.
This is NUA Surgical’s second year of entering the Seedcorn competition, having reached the regional finals in 2019.
Barry McCann, CEO at NUA Surgical said; “Seedcorn has been a tremendous journey for us, having only reached the regional final in 2019 and now being crowned the overall winner one year later is amazing. Our success in Seedcorn is great validation of our investment opportunity it demonstrates that we are now investor ready. This win is another steppingstone in bringing the device to market, where we can really make a difference in women’s health.”
GenoME Diagnostics from Northern Ireland was also a winner taking home €50,000 and the title of Best New Start.
Established in 2020, GenoME Diagnostics are currently developing a novel blood test to detect an earlier diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Their technology can be applied to biomarker discovery and development in a wide range of diseases and applications.
Commenting on their win, Shannon Beattie, COO at GenoME Diagnostics said; “We are thrilled to be announced as the ‘New Start’ category winner this year as we were up against very stiff competition. The prize money will allow us to validate our ovarian cancer diagnostic and get it into clinics as quickly as possible, it will also provide us with the opportunity to increase our business visibility internationally through networking at tradeshows and conferences.”
In addition, Belfast based software company Sonrai Analytics won a Special Award of €10,000, for the Best Company stemming from a university spin-out or support programme.The company has developed a data-integration platform revolutionises precision medicine for Biotech and Pharma to accelerate discovery in diseases impacting lives today.
2020 Winners
Region | Status | Company | Website |
| Northern Ireland | Overall Winner | GenoME Diagnostics | |
| Connacht & Leinster | Early Stage Category Winner | NUA Surgical | www.nuasurgical.com |
| Northern Ireland | Special Award Winner | Sonrai Analytics | www.sonraianalytics.com |
| Connacht & Leinster | New Start Regional Winner | Positive Carbon | www.positivecarbon.org |
| Dublin | Early Stage Regional Winner | eSeed Technologies | |
| Dublin | New Start Regional Winner | Examfly Learning | www.examfly.com |
| Munster | Early Stage Regional Winner | PixQuanta | www.pixquanta.com |
| Munster | New Start Regional Winner | Feistim | www.feistim.com |
| Northern Ireland | Early Stage Regional Winner | SonoTarg Ltd | www.sonotarg.com |
2019 Winners
| Region | Company | Status | Category | Location | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Munster | Tracworx | Overall Winner | Early Stage | Limerick | Medical app |
| Connacht & Leinster | Atlantic Photonic Solutions | Overall New Start Winner | New Start | Castlebar | Environmental device |
| Connacht & Leinster | Venari Medical | Early Stage Regional Winner | Early Stage | Galway | Medical device |
| Dublin | Thriftify | New Start Regional Winner | New Start | Dublin | E-commerce charity platform |
| Dublin | Output Sports | Early Stage Regional Winner | Early Stage | Dublin | Fitness device |
| Munster | Miura Regtech | New Start Regional Winner | New Start | Waterford | Software developer |
| Munster | AudioSourceRE | Special Award Winner | Early Stage | Cork | Reverse engineer audio |
| Northern Ireland | RotaPal | New Start Regional Winner | New Start | Hillsborough | Medical app |
| Northern Ireland | Waterworx Robotics | Early Stage Regional Winner | Early Stage | Omagh | Underwater drone |
2018 Winners
| Region | Company | Status | Category | Location | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connacht & Leinster | Loci Orthopaedics | Overall Seedcorn winner | Early Start | Galway | Medical device |
| Connacht & Leinster | HidraMed Solutions | Overall New Start winner | New Start | Galway | Medical device |
| Munster | ARQ Asset Solutions | Regional Winner | New Start | Cork | Remote oil monitoring technology |
| Munster | Class Medical | Regional Winner | Early Stage | Limerick | Medical device |
| Dublin | DropChef | Regional Winner | New Start | Dublin | Subscription-based food delivery service |
| Dublin | Invizbox | Regional Winner | Early Start | Dublin | Cyber security |
| Northern Ireland | Jumpack Ltd | Regional Winner | New Start | Downpatrick | Portable extreme sports ramp |
| Northern Ireland | NeuroCONCISE | Special Award Winner | New Start | Derry/Londonderry | Medical device |
| Northern Ireland | Artomatix | Special Award Winner | New Start | Dublin | 3D AI software |
2017 Winners
| Region | Company | Status | Category | Location | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Ireland | Phion Therapeutics | Overall Seedcorn winner | Early Start | Belfast | Pharmaceutical |
| Connacht & Leinster | Cerebreon | Overall New Start winner | New Start | Donegal | Insolvency Software |
| Munster | Helixworks Technologies | Regional winner | New Start | Cork | DNA Manufacturing |
| Munster | Thalman Health | Regional winner | Early Stage | Cork | Medical Device |
| Connacht & Leinster | Nova Leah | Regional winner | Early Stage | Dundalk | Cyber Security for Medical Devices |
| Dublin | iKydz | Regional winner | New Start | Dublin | Internet Monitoring |
| Dublin | CroíValve | Regional winner | Early Start | Dublin | Medical Device |
| Northern Ireland | Xenobics | Regional winner | New Start | Belfast | Food Safety Testing |
| Northern Ireland | Gray’s Clip | Special award winner | New Start | Lisburn | Electrical Cable Fixing |
2016 Winners
| Region | Company | Status | Category | Location | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin | Valitacell | Overall Seedcorn winner | Early Stage | Dublin | Medical Devices |
| Connacht & Leinster | Gecko Governance | Overall New Start winner | New Start | Dundalk | IT |
| Northern Ireland | Yedup Limited | Regional winner | New Start | Belfast | IT |
| Northern Ireland | Liopa Limited | Regional winner | Early Stage | Belfast | IT |
| Dublin | Nasal Medical | Regional winner | New Start | Dublin | Medical Devices |
| Munster | Kollect on Demand Ltd | Regional winner | New Start | Waterford | Waste Management |
| Munster | Skellig Surgical | Regional winner | Early Stage | Cork | Medical Devices |
| Connacht & Leinster | Ovvo | Regional winner | New Start | Dundalk | Manufacturing |
| Munster | Ostoform | Special award winner | Early Stage | Limerick | Medical Devices |
2015 Winners
| Region | Company | Status | Category | Location | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Ireland | Photonic Measurements | Regional winner | New Start | Belfast | |
| Northern Ireland | Modern Democracy | Regional winner | Early Stage | Derry | |
| Dublin | KillBiller | Regional winner | New Start | Dublin | |
| Dublin | Sirius XT | Overall winner | Early Stage | Dublin | |
| Munster | Ocean Survivor | Overall winner | New Start | Limerick | |
| Munster | Rendicity | Regional winner | Early Stage | Cork | |
| Connacht & Leinster* | Aphix Software | Regional winner | New Start | Louth | |
| Connacht & Leinster* | Kong Digital | Regional winner | Early Stage | Louth | |
| Connacht & Leinster* | Catalytic Burners Limited t/a CBL Equipment | Special award winner | Early Stage | Carlow |
2014 Winners
| Region | Company | Status | Category | Location | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Ireland | System Ready t/a PT Dock | Regional winner | New Start | Belfast | ICT |
| Northern Ireland | Jenarron Therapeutics | Regional winner | Early Stage | Dunmurray | Medical Devices |
| Dublin | TruePivot | Overall winner | New Start | Dublin | ICT |
| Dublin | Stayhold | Regional winner | Early Stage | Swords | Manufacturing |
| Munster | Sonarsim | Regional winner | New Start | Limerick | ICT |
| Munster | Aventamed | Overall winner | Early Stage | Kinsale | Medical Devices |
| Connacht & Leinster* | EVB Sports Shorts | Regional winner | New Start | Drogheda | Manufacturing |
| Connacht & Leinster* | Nearfield Communications | Regional winner | Early Stage | Athlone | ICT |
| Connacht & Leinster* | eMedia Interactive t/a Pocket Anatomy | Special award winner | Early Stage | Galway | Medical Devices |
2013 Winners
| Region | Company | Status | Category | Location | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Ireland | Blow Moulding Technologies | Regional winner | New Start | Belfast | Manufacturing |
| Northern Ireland | See.Sense. | Regional winner | Early Stage | Newtownards | Manufacturing |
| Dublin | Fenestra Pro | Regional winner | New Start | Dublin | ICT |
| DHG | Fijowave | Regional winner | Early Stage | Dublin | ICT |
| Munster | Q1 Scientific | Regional winner | New Start | Waterford | Medical Devices |
| Munster | Zeto | Regional winner | Early Stage | Cork | Software Manufacturing |
| Connacht & Leinster* | Element Software | Overall winner | New Start | Galway | ICT |
| Connacht & Leinster* | Westway Health | Overall winner | Early Stage | Galway | Veterinary Health Solutions |
| Dublin | Bizimply | Special award winner | Early Stage | Dublin | ICT |
2012 Winners
| Region | Company | Status | Category | Location | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Ireland | Rotify Ltd. | Regional winner | Emerging | Newtownabbey | ICT |
| Northern Ireland | CATAGEN LTD | Overall winner | High Growth | Belfast | Engineering |
| Dublin | Wattics Limited | Overall winner | Emerging | Dublin | Renewables |
| DHG | Optiwi-fi | Regional winner | High Growth | Dublin | Telecomms |
| Munster | Gnarly Adventure | Regional winner | Emerging | Cork | ICT |
| Munster | MitaMed | Regional winner | High Growth | Cork | Life Science |
| Connacht & Leinster* | Full Health Medical | Regional winner | Emerging | Tralee | Healthcare |
| Connacht & Leinster* | Algae Health | Regional winner | High Growth | Galway | Manufacturing |
| Munster | Alanya Ltd | Special award winner | Emerging | Cork | Agriculture |
2011 Winners
| Region | Company | Status | Location | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin | Tethras Technologies | Regional HG Winner | Dublin | ICT |
| Dublin | Zinc Software Ltd | Overall Emg Winner | Dublin | ICT |
| Northern Ireland | Cirdan Imaging Ltd | Regional HG Winner | Lisburn | Medical Devices |
| Northern Ireland | Tour Talk | Regional Emg Winner | Belfast | ICT |
| Special Award | Air Dryer Systems | Special Award Winner | Cork | Manufacturing |
| Connacht & Leinster | The Oriel Sea Salt Company | Regional HG winner | Louth | Producer of sea minerals |
| Connacht & Leinster | Advance Science | Regional Emg Winner | Galway | Scientific Research |
| Munster | ALR Innovations | Overall HG winner | Limerick | Recycling Technology |
| Munster | SurgaColl | Regional Emg Winner | Cork | Medical Devices |
2010 Winners
| Region | Company | Status | Location | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin | Innovation Zed | Regional Winner | Dublin | Medical Devices |
| Dublin | Barracuda FX | Overall Winner | Dublin | Software |
| Northern Ireland | Txt2Give | Regional Winner | Portstewart | Digital Media & Web 2.0 |
| Special Award | LenisAer | Special Award Winner | Belfast | Other |
| Northern Ireland | LamhRoe | Regional Winner | Belfast | Telecommunications |
| Connacht & Leinster | Epona Biotech | Overall Winner | Ballinode | Life Science |
| Connacht & Leinster | Sonru | Regional Winner | Enniscorthy | Digital Media & Web 2.0 |
| Munster | CRM Pulse t/a Datahug | Regional Winner | Tralee | Software |
| Munster | Radisens Diagnostics | Regional Winner | Cork | Medical Devices |
2009 Winners
| Region | Company | Status | Location | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connacht & Leinster | GroupNos Technologies | Regional Winner | Ballinode | Healthcare ICT |
| Dublin | Cathx Ocean Ltd | Regional Winner | Newhall | Manufacturing and Industrial |
| Dublin | Calom Technologies | Regional Winner | Dublin | Digital media & Web 2.0 |
| Munster | Ferfics | Regional Winner | Cork | Semi-conductor |
| Munster | coClarity Ltd T/A Goshido | Special Award | Limerick | Software |
| Munster | Cauwill Technologies | Overall Winner | Limerick | ICT |
| Northern Ireland | SOPHIA Search | Overall Winner | Belfast | Software |
| Northern ireland | Cocoon | Regional Winner | Lisburn | Manufacturing |
2008 Winners
| Region | Company | Status | Location | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connacht & Leinster | Mcor Technologies Ltd | Overall Winner | Ardee | Manufacturing and Industrial |
| Connacht & Leinster | SOTA Orthopaedics | Regional Winner | Church Road | Medical Devices |
| Munster | HKPB Scientific Limited | Regional Winner | Thurles | Medical Devices |
| Munster | Wavebreakmedia | Regional Winner | Bishopstown | Digital media & Web 2.0 |
| Northern Ireland | Learningpool | Regional Winner | Co Derry | ICT |
| Northern Ireland | Media Lightbox Ltd | Overall Winner | Newry | Digital media & Web 2.0 |
| Dublin | Coolpower | Regional Winner | Dublin | Energy and Technology |
| Dublin | Flowers Made Easy Ltd | Regional Winner | Sandyford Industrial Estate | Online Florist |
2007 Winners
| Region | Company | Status | Location | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connacht | Chipright Ltd | Regional Winner | Galway | Telecommunications |
| Connacht | Embricon Ltd | Regional Winner | Galway | Medical Devices |
| Dublin | Openplain | Overall Winner | Dublin | ICT |
| Dublin | Sentry Wireless | Special Award | Digital Hub | Telecommunications |
| Dublin | Movidia T/A Movidius | Overall Winner | Dublin 1 | ICT |
| Munster | Food-NPD Teoranta | Regional Winner | Waterford | Food |
| Munster | Flúirse Ltd | Special Award | Tralee | ICT- Educational Software / Online Resources |
| Munster | AspiraCon Ltd. | Regional Winner | Bishopstown | ICT |
| Northern Ireland | Titan IC Systems Ltd | Regional Winner | Belfast | Telecommunications |
2006 Winners
| Region | Company | Status | Location | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connacht | Quaternity Ltd | Winner | Carrick on Shannon | ICT |
| Belfast | Aetopia | Winner | Belfast | ICT |
| Northern Ireland | InspecVision Ltd | Winner | Willowbank Road Millbrook | Manufacturing and Industrial |
| Dublin | Aonta Technologies Limited | Winner | Belfield | telecommunications |
| Dublin | Blue Face Ltd | Winner | Dublin 2 | ICT |
| Munster | Park Magic Mobile Solutions Ltd (t/a ParkMagic) | Winner | Limerick | Telecommunications |
| Leinster | Blueacre Technology | Winner | Carlingford | Medical Devices |
| Cork | EnBIO ltd | Overall Winner | Bishopstown | Life Science |
| Cork | MPSTOR | Special Award | Bishopstown | ICT |
2005 Winners
| Region | Company | Status | Location | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belfast | Mail Distiller | Winner | Co Antrim | BT Spinout – mail management |
| Northern Ireland | Nvolve | Winner | Port Road | Training / presentation aid |
| Dublin | Discover Mobile/Beacon IT | Special Award | Dublin 3 | Mobile portal service provider |
| Dublin | Sigmoid Biotechnologies Ltd | Overall Winner | East Point | Mini capsule drug delivery system |
| Dublin | Idiro Technologies/SWC | Winner | Tallaght | Data mining and automation software |
| Leinster | Risaris | Winner | Bray | Software |
| Connacht | Zerusa | Winner | Newcastle Road | Medical Devices |
| Cork | Treemetrics | Winner | Bishopstown | Tree measuring for harvesting |
| Munster | Bioatlantis Ltd | Winner | Tralee | Neutraceutical animal products |
2004 Winners
| Region | Company | Status | Location | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belfast | Fusion Antibodies | Winner | Dunmurry, Belfast | Production of custom made antibodies to detect proteins |
| Northern Ireland | RSI Systems | Winner | Antrim | |
| Dublin | Gas Sensor Solutions | Winner | Dublin 9 | Low cost, non-invasive, light film based gas sensors initially for food and packaging sectors |
| Dublin | Neosera systems ltd | Special award | Dublin 4 | Semiconductor design and verifictaion solution business (silicon chips optimisation) |
| Leinster | Smart Homes | Overall Winner | Dundalk | Modular cabling and electrical solutions for the residential home market |
| Connacht | Metamusic limited | Winner | Co. na Gaillimhe | Software tool to allow the automated composition of a musical soundtrack based on video content |
| Cork | Pervenio | Winner | Cork | Low power & cost wireless sensors for heating & ventilation using Zigbee technology |
| Munster | Chipsensors | Winner | Limerick | Light, humidity and temperature sensors |
2003 Winners
| Region | Company | Status | Location | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belfast | SLDI | Winner | Co. Antrim | Technology under development for oil and gas exploration sector. |
| Dublin | i-conX Solutions | Winner | Clondakin | S/W billing solution to be used by telecos to bill other telecos |
| Leinster | Armac Systems | Winner | Dundalk | IT solutions for aircraft maintenance/stock control |
| Connacht | Proxy Biomedical | Winner | Co. Galway | Soft tissue implants to aid surgical recovery |
| Munster | TravelFat | Winner | Kerry | Internet enabled reservations s/w suite for travel industry |
| Cork | Luxcel Biosciences | Joint Winner | Cork | Manufacturers of bathroom/kitchen pods |
| Northern Ireland | Opt2Vote | Winner | Northern Ireland | Electronic voting software solutions |