Winners of the InterTradeIreland Seedcorn Investor Readiness Dublin regional final have been announced as Brace (Best New Start), and Electric Vehicle Ecosystem, (Best Early Stage). The winners were awarded €20,000 each and will advance to the All-Island final in Dublin on the 9th of November. The InterTradeIreland Seedcorn Investor Readiness Competition is the largest business competition of its kind on the island of Ireland, Seedcorn has an overall prize fund of €300,000.
Brace were awarded the ‘Best New Start’ Dublin regional trophy. Based in The Liberties, Brace has developed a social rehabilitation app that uses exercise tracking, gamification and community support to improve physical and mental health outcomes for those undergoing rehabilitation. The company is currently engaged in a pilot program with the IRFU as a welfare and support tool for their rehabilitating athletes. Conor Motyer, Founder and CEO of Brace, said:
We are absolutely delighted to win this regional final against strong competition. Seedcorn has provided an invaluable opportunity for us to get feedback on our investor materials and readiness, ahead of the fundraising process. I think the most rewarding aspect has been seeing our business plan and product validation to date resonating with the judging team as an investment opportunity.
Electric Vehicle Ecosystem were awarded the ‘Best Early Stage’ Dublin regional trophy. Electric Vehicle Ecosystem is pioneering e-mobility intelligence software, making it easier for fleet managers to switch to electric vehicles by offering data-powered electrification simulation, predictive charging analytics and comprehensive emissions reporting. Sarah-Marie Rust, CEO and Founder of Electric Vehicle Ecosystem, said:
We decided to enter the competition because it provides us with the perfect opportunity to become investor ready. We are currently preparing to raise a €1.5 million seed round, and the Seedcorn competition simulates the real-life investment process. We have learned valuable lessons that have significantly enhanced our investor readiness, and we are really thrilled to advance to the national final.
The leaders of the six innovative start-up and early-stage companies from across Dublin took part in a competitive final on 24th October at the Clontarf Castle Hotel. As part of the process, finalists presented their investment proposal to a panel of judges that included active investors. The winning entrants successfully demonstrated to the panel of judges why they believe their businesses are investor ready. The regional winners in Dublin will have the opportunity to compete for the overall €100,000 prize at the final. Shane O’Hanlon, Funding for Growth Manager at InterTradeIreland said:
This year’s Dublin regional final was a very competitive process across the ‘Best New Start’ and ‘Best Early Stage’ categories. Both categories had three very innovative and ambitious entrants that showcased their business plans in a professional and engaging manner. Year-on-year the InterTradeIreland Seedcorn competition attracts start-up and early-stage companies that are entrepreneurial in their approach. Brace and Electric Vehicle Ecosystem impressed the judges with their vision and future business plans. On behalf of all of us at InterTradeIreland, I wish both companies the best of luck at the All-Island final on the 9th of November.
For start-ups and early-stage businesses, the InterTradeIreland Seedcorn Investor-Readiness Competition provides a platform to demonstrate why these companies believe they are ‘investor ready’ and open to a funding injection. As part of the Dublin regional final, companies pitched their business plan to a panel of industry judges that included Sian McLoughlin (Clarendon Fund Managers), Chris Kelly (Tracworx), Barry Lunn (Nouvation) and Anne Dornan (QUBIS). The process mirrored a real-life investment process, and each finalist has received expert feedback on its business plan and pitch, as well as increased exposure to investors.
For the third consecutive year, an additional €20,000 prize will be awarded for best investment proposal from a company operating in the low carbon/green sector.
For all the latest information on Seedcorn visit: www.intertradeireland.com/seedcorn
