The Institute of Technology Blanchardstown (ITB) has launched ‘Jump Start 2012’, the third incarnation of its Learning and Innovation Centre’s (LINC) start-up competition.
The prize for the winning business is valued at €25,000 and includes €5,000 cash, 12 months incubation space at LINC, expert mentoring and a range of useful business start-up packages in design, media, technology equipment, print, call answering.
The competition was launched by TV dragon Bobby Kerr who will be judging shortlisted entrepreneurs alongside his fellow panellists, Judith Troy, Regional Manager AIB, Oisin Geoghegan, CEO Fingal County Enterprise Board and George Kiely regional director Enterprise Ireland and chaired by Assumpta Harvey, manager the LINC, ITB.
The 2011 competition was won by Philip Gillen with his company Seafood 360, which provides food safety management software for food processing and food service businesses. “Aside from the valuable experience gained, winning Jump Start provided a tremendous morale, financial and practical boost at a time when we needed it the most”, said Gillen.
Manager of the LINC, Assumpta Harvey said they were looking for Ireland’s next big start up to follow in the footsteps of the first two winners of the competition. Safefood have now expanded their business into the US and 2010 winner Innovation Zed recently won the Biomnis Health Innovation Award and received €350,000 in funding.
To enter businesses must be technology or knowledge based, be less than two years old, have intent to export and grow the business within the region. Closing date for applications is Friday 19th of October and the short list being announced on November 2nd. For more details or to apply go to www.thelinc.ie/jumpstart
