Application Deadline:16th March 2021
The Ireland Funds Business Plan Competition, now in its 10th year, is a pre-accelerator programme designed to help Ireland’s early-stage, student entrepreneurs bring their idea from concept to pitch.
Applications will be accepted until midnight on Tuesday, March 16, 2021.
Ten business ideas will then be selected to receive mentoring and support through a series of workshops during April, May and June, with the opportunity to compete for €27,000 in prize money and other supports.
Eligibility Requirements
The Ireland Funds Business Plan Competition is open to undergraduates, post-graduates, and recent graduates (two years or less), resident in Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland, at pre-investment stage.
Specifically we are looking for three things:
- An individual or a team
- Global scalability potential
- Categories including software, hardware, food, deep-tech, AgTech, and internationally traded services.
Prizes
First Prize
€15,000 cash prize and 1-1 mentoring with Bill McKiernan, Founder of CyberSource Corporation and President of WSM Capital LLC.
Runner-up prizes
€7,000 cash prize (first runner-up)
€2,000 cash prize (second runner-up)
Mental Health Innovation Award
Kindly supported by St. Patrick’s Mental Health Services (SPHMS).
€3,000 cash prize for the best mental health solution that addresses a COVID-related challenge.
We are looking for innovative technology ideas that can support the mental health of our nation which is suffering greatly right now due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. We need, now more than ever, novel solutions to deliver mental health services and to provide citizens and patients with mental health self-management tools.
Selection
We are looking for smart, new business ideas from amongst Ireland’s early-stage, student entrepreneurs. Convince us that your business idea is the next big thing, and you will receive support to develop it from concept to pitch.
Ten ideas will be selected to participate on pre-acceleration workshops. At the finale, our Judging Panel of leading international entrepreneurs, executives, and investors, will select the winner and runners-up.
Timeline
- Wednesday, 03 February 2021
Applications open - Tuesday, 16th March 2021
Applications close at midnight - Wednesday, 24th March 2021
Shortlist selection announced.
Virtual Workshop Days
These are half-days from 9.30hrs-13.00hrs online. Teams must be available to participate on all scheduled activities.
- Workshop I: 06 April 2021
Orientation and Introduction to The Ireland Funds - Workshop II: 13 April 2021
Problem Framing - Workshop III: 20 April 2021
Problem Framing Team Check - Workshop IV: 27 April 2021
Customer Discovery - Workshop V: 04 May 2020
Customer Discovery Team Check - Workshop VI: 11 May 2021
Value Proposition and Market Sizing - Workshop VII: 18 May 2021
VP & MS Team Check - Workshop VIII: 25 May 2021
Pitch Preparation - Workshop IX: 01 June 2021
Practice Pitch and Feedback - Programme showcase 15 June 2021
Official Website: Ireland Funds Business Plan Competition
