Published on: Thursday, 26 April 2018

The Enterprise Ireland New Frontiers Programme based at the Rubicon Centre in Cork Institute of Technology (CIT), hosted a showcase of their business ideas in the Millennium Hall, City Hall, Cork.

An award for Best Business Opportunity was presented to Joe Perrott of Remote Signals, an IoT Platform focused on end-to-end B2B applications and Joe was also Overall Winner on the evening. Joe has partnered with Teagasc and VT and has put soil monitoring devices in every county in Ireland. He is also a National Finalist in Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur (IBYE). Most Innovative Business Idea went to Nusrat Sanghamitra with CyCa Oncosolutions and Best Business Plan to Kieran Gleeson of Freight Station. Best Trade Stand was won by Joseph Freyne of Swyft Energy and Best Video, as judged by the audience, was Marie Therese Shortt of Culturepro and, as judged by the panel, James Gale of Stampowl. 

New Frontiers is the National Entrepreneur Development Programme, funded by Enterprise Ireland. It is delivered in CIT through the Rubicon Centre, Ireland’s largest on campus Business Incubator. Liam Fitzgerald, New Frontiers Programme Manager said “the quality of the individuals and businesses involved in the New Frontiers Programme this year was very impressive. Some of the businesses are already generating significant revenue, others are in trials with multi million euro international businesses, while others are attracting the attention of VC’s and investors. I expect some big announcements and successes from these entrepreneurs. New Frontiers is the best programme of its kind in Ireland, with no equity taken in participant businesses and it gives businesses exposure to the full suite of supports available through Enterprise Ireland, including industry specialist mentors, market research resources, and international offices. It also acts as the most effective introduction into funding opportunities like the Competitive Start Fund and High Potential Start-up Funding. Participating on New Frontiers is likely to be the best strategic decision a business makes.”

Winner of the Best Business Plan, Kieran Gleeson of Freight Station said “this award is fantastic news for both Freight Stations and myself. It will help generate a lot of interest in our product before launch this coming Summer."

Award winners are chosen by an independent panel of expert stakeholders from RDJ Solicitors, AIB, EY, The Irish Examiner and CIT.