Businesses will battle it out in Belfast on Wednesday, as part of InterTradeIreland’s Seedcorn competition, which will see a prize fund of €280,000 up for grabs.
The competition, which is open to companies from both sides of the Border, aims to recognise and promote the best early-stage companies across the island.
Business plans are initially assessed by a panel of experts, after which companies are subjected to rigorous interviews by respected judges, including venture capitalists, entrepreneurs and business leaders, at regional and then national level.
Regional finalists from Munster, Connacht, Leinster and Northern Ireland have been selected and will make their investment pitch to a new panel of judges, followed by a question-and-answer session at the final.
Among those shortlisted for an award are Dublin-based energy management company Wattics; Cork medical company MitaMed; Galway bio-technology company Algae Health; and Gnarly Adventure, an online network for adventure sport activities.
Overall winners will receive their prize of either €50,000 for Best Emerging Company or €100,000 for Best High Growth Company.
“These companies have the potential to be a key driver of future economic growth,” says Thomas Hunter McGowan, chief executive of InterTradeIreland.
