A competition aimed at finding the brightest start-ups has opened for applications.

The ESB Spark of Genius Award, which has a prize fund worth €25,000, will be announced at the Web Summit next month. The competition, which is now in its fourth year, pits 30 technology companies against each other and focuses on high potential businesses that have been in operation for less than three years and received less than €1 million in funding.

Applications close on September 26th, and a shortlist will be announced. The firms that make the shortlist will pitch at the Web Summit, with the final taking place before an audience of international start-ups and technology investors on October 31st.

Web Summit chief executive Paddy Cosgrave said the winning start-up would not only get a boost from the publicity associated with the award, but also the opportunity to pitch in front of well-known international entrepreneurs and venture capitalists.