The Competition is aimed at independent ventures incorporated on the island of Ireland (Ireland or Northern Ireland) in the seed, start-up or early stages of business development and ideally targeting international markets.
The Competition is for individuals or venture teams, who have created, manage and own such ventures. The promoters/founder entrepreneurs are to have played a major role in conceiving the venture, continuing to have key management roles and to own significant equity.
Companies must be less than five years old on 25 April 2025.
Promoters must decide which category to enter: The three categories are:
- B2B Company, for entities with a proposed customer base in the B2B space.
- B2C Company, for entities with a proposed customer base in the B2C space.
- Deep Tech Company, for entities rooted in breakthrough technologies such as life sciences, material sciences, Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning or Environmental Technologies.
- Only incorporated companies will be eligible to enter and competitors will be asked to provide their company registration number when applying for the Competition.
- All ventures must be seeking external equity capital.
- Generally excluded are the following: buy outs, expansions of established businesses, consortia, tax shelters, franchises and licensing agreements for distribution in a different geographical area. The pre-incorporated trading activity of a sole trader or partnership may be taken into consideration when considering the length of time in business viz a viz eligibility.
- Applicant promoters should be aged 18 years or over and only entries from such persons will be accepted. Employees or agents of, or family members of personnel of, InterTradeIreland or any member of the Judging Panel or other persons connected with this competition are not permitted to enter.
- Ventures which have already raised external equity in excess of €1m (or sterling equivalent) are not eligible.
- The determination of eligibility shall be at the sole discretion of InterTradeIreland, which may, in exceptional circumstances, allow entry to competitors which do not strictly comply with all of the above criteria.
By entering, the promoters agree:
- They are aged 18 years or over.
- They have sufficient authority and any necessary
approvals to:
- Enter the Company into the Competition.
- Accept the Official Rules and Entry Kit, and any other terms and conditions that are applicable to the Competition, on behalf of and in the name of the Company.
- Submit any information or content relating to the Company to InterTradeIreland.
- Receive communications about the Company and its participation in the Competition at the contact details provided in its registration; and
- Accept the assignment of training programmes, invitation to events or award of prizes or challenges resulting from the Calls on behalf of the Company.
and that:
- The Company:
- Is an independent company that is incorporated on the island of Ireland (Ireland or Northern Ireland) in the seed, start-up or early stages of business development (a company).
- Is less than five years old on 25 April 2025.
- Is seeking external equity capital and has not raised external equity of more than €1m (or GBP equivalent).
- Is not a buyout, expansion of an established business, consortia, tax shelter, franchise for distribution in a different geographical area; and
- Is not subject to any contractual or other restriction which may prevent or impede it from entering the Competition and meeting the obligations outlined herein.
- Any information submitted to InterTradeIreland by the applicant is complete and accurate and that the applicant shall notify InterTradeIreland of any change to the same; and
- They have read, understood and accepted these rules, the Official Rules and Entry Kit, and any other terms and conditions that are applicable to the Competition on behalf of and in the name of the Company.