Race is on for Ireland’s best new operators
The search is on for Galway’s best start-up businesses – across twelve categories including digital, food and drink, retail and technology.
They are invited to enter the fifth annual Bank of Ireland Startup Awards, which were formally launched by Startup Awards Judge and entrepreneur Gavin Duffy.
Open to companies and organisations across all sectors, awareness for the Startup Awards continues to grow annually, with almost 650 entries received in 2015.
The awards attract an exciting and diverse range of nominees, with categories such as the ‘Startup Hero Award’, won by BizWorld Ireland which delivers entrepreneurship workshops to primary schools.
Two new categories have also been added for 2016 which will see an Award being given for best Emerging Startup aimed at companies in existence for 18 months or less, and best Sustainable Startup which will recognise a startup that has developed their model and strategy in a sustainable fashion.
Companies can enter the awards on their own behalf or can be nominated by a friend or colleague. Entries are judged in their respective region, which includes Dublin, the rest of Leinster, Munster and Connacht/Ulster.
Each category winner gets a trophy and certificate at the Startup Awards Ceremony, as well as media coverage, accountancy software, financial mentoring and a free IP audit/consultation.
The overall winner also gets a creative advertising and design package valued at €56,000; advertising space valued at €8,000, and a free Irish provisional filing, be it patent/trade mark/copyright/design.
The closing date for entries into the awards is Thursday, March 31, the regional finals will take place during April with the national gala final taking place in Dublin on Thursday, May 26.