The showcase marks the end of the current 12-week Accelerator. Supported by Invest Northern Ireland, the programme is designed to help established early stage technology companies to develop, grow and scale to a point where they are equipped to raise further investment of between £250,000 and £2.5m.
Each of the nine companies had the opportunity to deliver a 3-minute pitch to the assembled audience at Ormeau Baths. Ahead of the showcase, the teams also pitched to 60 top-tier international investors during visits to San Francisco, Dublin and London.
Chris McClelland, Programme Director of Ignite NI said:
“This year’s accelerator teams have made exceptional progress and demonstrated their potential, with several of the companies actually managing to close funding rounds during what is an intensive learning process and others currently on the verge of securing investment.
“In the 3 months, the teams have benefitted from feedback from over 200 business leaders, some of whom are founders of businesses generating $1bn dollars a year in revenue. This input will be invaluable as the startups begin to scale and break into global markets.”
This year, five companies from Cohort 1 and 2 will compete for the opportunity to spend an additional three months in San Francisco, the global hub of the technology world, as part of the Ignite NI Landing Pad initiative. This new initiative, in partnership with Invest NI will allow founders to explore the US market, the possibilities of raising funds from US investors and to gain a first-hand understanding of what is required to launch in the US.
Niall Casey, Director, Invest Northern Ireland said:
“The Landing Pad will support our Accelerator Teams to reach new levels of success. I am confident with the support and drive of Ignite it will deliver stronger, more capable high potential start-ups, ultimately benefitting the NI economy.“
Pictured ahead of the Ignite NI Accelerator showcase are (L-R back row): Fearghal Campbell (Pitchbooking); Andrew Trimble (Kairos); Chris McClelland (Ignite); Eddie Holmes (Unissu); Barry Lynch (Gig Grafter). Front row: Swati Sharma (Sparkinity); Russell Barnard (Snappd); Niall Casey (Invest NI); Cormac Quinn (loyalBe); Cathy Craig (Incisiv); Frank Kilpatrick (BluDot Technologies).
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