2021 Review
Cork-based med-tech firm Gasgon Medical has been named the overall winner of the prestigious InterTradeIreland Seedcorn Investor Readiness Competition, pocketing a cash prize of €100,000.
Gasgon Medical manufactures AirVault, a device for removing air bubbles from flowing fluids aimed primarily at medical IV infusions, the most common invasive therapy in modern healthcare. AirVault technology eliminates the need for manual nurse intervention by automatically capturing air bubbles before they become a problem – saving medical professionals time and preventing IV drug exposure.
Following his win, Vincent Forde, CEO, Gasgon Medical said: “It is a huge honour to be named overall winner of this prestigious competition. It gives us a major boost as we close our fundraising round. The Seedcorn experience has been invaluable for us. Seedcorn has given us incredible feedback on our pitch and our business plan, some of which we have implemented already, getting us additional funding from investors we are speaking with."
Waterford-based STYL.wrap won the New Start category award and a cash prize of €50,000. The company has developed an innovative cloud-based platform, reverse engineering sizing and fit across the fashion supply chain. Offering online fashion retailers an innovative AI-based sizing solution, STYL.wrap reduces waste and over-production, while reducing high levels of returns, saving brands millions in the process and helping them achieve sustainability goals.
STYL.wrap CEO Shana Chu said:
“Seedcorn has been an amazing journey for us. This was our third time entering the competition, and each time the process and feedback we have received has been a brilliant learning experience – allowing us to hone down our business strategy and goals. This win will help in scaling up the platform, allowing us to onboard more brands and retailers, which we are really excited about.”
In addition, Limerick-based AgriGuardian picked up a €10,000 Special Award for best venture stemming from a university spin-out or support programme. AgriGuardian has developed a wearable and app solution platform to improve farm safety for vulnerable farm-goers.
2021 Winners
| Region | Company | Status | Category | Location |
| Munster | Gasgon Medical | Overall Winner | Early Stage | Cork |
Munster | STYL.wrap | Category Winner | New Start | Waterford |
Munster | AgriGuardian | Special Award Winner | New Start | Limerick |
| Connacht & Leinster | GlasPort Bio | Sustainability / Low Carbon Award Winner | Early Stage | Galway |
| Connacht & Leinster | Regional Winner | New Start | Kilkenny | |
| Connacht & Leinster | Luminate Medical | Regional Winner | Early Stage | Galway |
| Northern Ireland | Cocktail Keg Company | Regional Winner | New Start | Belfast |
| Northern Ireland | Regional Winner | Early Stage | Belfast | |
| Dublin | Not Just a Princess | Regional Winner | New Start | Dublin |
| Dublin | Frequency | Regional Winner | Early Stage | Dublin |
2020 Winners
Region | Company | Status | Category | Location | Sector |
| Northern Ireland | GenoME Diagnostics | Overall Winner | New Start | Belfast | Medical device |
| Connacht & Leinster | NUA Surgical | Category Winner | Early Stage | Galway | Medical device |
| Northern Ireland | Sonrai Analytics | Special Award Winner | Early Stage | Belfast | AI Technology |
| Connacht & Leinster | Positive Carbon | Regional Winner | New Start | Roscommon | Food waste production |
| Dublin | eSeed Technologies | Regional Winner | Early Stage | Dublin | Software development |
| Dublin | Examfly Learning | Regional Winner | New Start | Dublin | Education |
| Munster | PixQuanta | Regional Winner | Early Stage | Cork | Technology |
| Munster | Feistim | Regional Winner | New Start | Clare | Perfromance tracker |
| Northern Ireland | Regional Winner | Early Stage | Belfast | Medical device |
2019 Winners
| Region | Company | Status | Category | Location | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Munster | Tracworx | Overall Winner | Early Stage | Limerick | Medical app |
| Connacht & Leinster | Atlantic Photonic Solutions | Overall Category Winner | New Start | Castlebar | Environmental device |
| Connacht & Leinster | Venari Medical | Regional Winner | Early Stage | Galway | Medical device |
| Dublin | Thriftify | Regional Winner | New Start | Dublin | E-commerce charity platform |
| Dublin | Output Sports | Regional Winner | Early Stage | Dublin | Fitness device |
| Munster | Miura Regtech | Regional Winner | New Start | Waterford | Software developer |
| Munster | AudioSourceRE | Special Award Winner | Early Stage | Cork | Reverse engineer audio |
| Northern Ireland | RotaPal | Regional Winner | New Start | Hillsborough | Medical app |
| Northern Ireland | Waterworx Robotics | 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 |