Four finalists vie for FutureScope’s One2Watch competition
FutureScope, a conference that promotes collaboration between entrepreneurs and large enterprises, has announced the four finalists of its One2Watch competition. The competition seeks to find Ireland’s most scalable business idea and give the winning company a platform that will support their growth strategies.
The finalists – WeSavvy, ProVerum Medical, Skytango and Hexafly – were chosen from 58 early-stage businesses who entered One2Watch. The companies must now pitch their idea to FutureScope’s panel of judges at the 10th May event, demonstrating the market need and therefore scalability of their product or service. The start-up that the judges believe has the most scalable idea will be crowned FutureScope One2Watch 2017.
The winner will present their business idea on the FutureScope mainstage to an audience of more than 1,200 – featuring investors, large enterprises and multinationals and support agencies. The selected company will also get a desk for three months at the Guinness Enterprise Centre and consultancy services from Dublin BIC. They will also receive €2,000 in prize money.
Judging the competition are Alison Cowser, Dragon’s Den, Gary Leyden, National Director at the National Digital Research Centre; Eoghan Stack, CEO, DCU Ryan Academy; and Bernadette O’Reilly, Incubation Centre Manager, DIT Hothouse.
Michael Culligan, CEO, Dublin BIC, said: “Ireland’s entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well – and our four finalists are proof of that. But when tens of thousands of new companies are popping up each year, it can be difficult to access the funding and supports needed to progress to the next stage.
“FutureScope is all about connecting start-ups with multinationals, investors and business supports – and that is exactly what this competition does. The winner will be given the unique opportunity to pitch to a highly influential – and potentially game-changing – audience of more than 1,200 people. That alone is an invaluable opportunity that businesses don’t normally get.
“Ireland is buzzing with start-up activity at the moment, but companies need the right support structures in place if they plan to stay ahead of the competition. That is why we will also provide the winning company with some crucial assistance – including a desk at the Guinness Enterprise Centre, strategic growth consultancy services from Dublin BIC and €2,000 in prize money.”
