The inaugural ‘IDEAS Kilkenny’ competition is now open for entries. The competition is open to people in Kilkenny with a Tech related business idea or in the early stages of trading (less than 18 months). If you have an original and innovative idea within the technology sector (e.g. Agri-Tech, AI, Ecommerce, FinTech, Gaming, Healthcare, ICT, IOT, Robotics, etc.) and intend setting up a business in Kilkenny ,or already in the early stages of development, check out this competition.
The initiative will involve a series of business workshops and one-to-one mentoring culminating in a finale comprising of an investor ready pitch for an investment fund worth €10,000 (€6,000 in the Start-up Category and €4,000 in the Ideas Category) .
At the launch of the ‘IDEAS Kilkenny’ competition, Cathaoirleach Cllr. Fidelis Doherty said “The Local Enterprise Office is the first stop for any entrepreneur who is looking to start or grow their business. This competition aims to encourage and support people starting out on their entrepreneurial journey”.
Also speaking at the launch, John Duggan, Founder and Director of Kilkenny based Fintech company Loanitt, now the largest financial intermediary in Ireland and started their journey with the Local Enterprise Office Kilkenny just 3 years ago, said “from the outset, Loanitt was supported with a range of supports from LEO Kilkenny including the Business Start-Up Priming Grant, the Trading Online Voucher Scheme, mentoring supports and participation on the Management Development Programme”. He added “we also learnt a lot through participation in Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur Competition in terms of refining the business proposition and developing an investor ready pitch which helped to prepare for future funding applications. I would encourage anyone with a Tech related business idea or start-up to get involved in the ‘IDEAS Kilkenny’ competition”.
At the first stage of the competition, applicants are invited to submit their entries via an online application form on www.localenterprise.ie/kilkenny Closing date for entries is Wednesday 23rd March. Participants will then by supported to refine and finalise their business proposal and the winners will be announced at the end of May 2022 following a competitive pitch process.
For more information about the ‘IDEAS Kilkenny’ competition, visit www.localenterprise.ie/kilkenny
