Start-Up Firms Urged To Seize Chance To Win €100k

Northern Irish companies in the seed, start-up and early stages of business development, who are seeking to ramp up their funding, are being urged to enter InterTradeIreland's Seedcorn Investor Readiness competition for the chance to win a share of a €280,000 cash prize fund, with the overall winner taking away €100k.

The Seedcorn competition mirrors the challenging real-life investment process. Participants are advised on how to develop their business plan, present business propositions, improve their 'investor readiness', benefit from exposure with venture capitalists, angel and other investors and get the chance to increase the profile of their business.

InterTradeIreland's Seedcorn Competition is the largest investor readiness competition for early stage/high growth companies in any sector on any part of the island. The competition, aimed at companies that have a new equity funding requirement, has a record total cash prize fund of €280,000.

Businesses can enter in one of the two categories; new start or early stage and there are four regions; Northern Ireland, Dublin (City & County), Munster, and Connacht & Leinster (including counties Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan). 

A series of Seedcorn information sessions have been organised to provide those considering applying with advice on preparation of video clips, presentation slide decks and business plans. The next workshop will take place at on Friday 17 May 2019 (12.00-1.00pm) in Propel at Ormeau Baths, Belfast.

Shane O'Hanlon, Funding for Growth Manager, InterTradeIreland, said: "Seed finance can be notoriously hard to attract, and this competition is an opportunity for ambitious start-ups to get their new ideas off the ground. We would encourage young Northern Ireland companies that meet the criteria to submit their entries before the closing date of 1pm on Friday 31 May 2019 and take advantage of this fantastic opportunity."

Two companies in Northern Ireland are guaranteed to take away €20k each as regional winners before going on to compete in the all-island final and a chance to win the overall title or category title with cash prizes of 100k and 50k respectively.

The final date for completed application forms is 1pm on Friday 31 May 2019. Companies can apply online. Shortlisted companies will be notified by Wednesday 12 June, with regional winners announced in early November before going on to compete in the all-island grand final in Dublin on Thursday 28 November.