It serves as a showcase for emerging Northern Ireland talent and commercial concepts, increasing their visibility and comes with a £33,000 prize fund to split between the winners. Over 100 entrepreneurs applied for Invent 2020.
Among this year’s finalists are teams that have created tech designed to keep students safe on nights out, a company that has invented a patented new flood defence system, the creators of new ethically sourced vegan drink, an online marketplace that helps employers find apprentices and an inclusive online learning platform for students of all abilities.
The final on October 8 will be hosted by broadcaster William Crawley and in addition to the main awards, the 12 finalists will take to the stage at ICC Belfast’s hybrid studio to give a live one minute elevator pitch to win £1,000, with the virtual audience deciding who pitched best. The event will be entirely free to attend and Catalyst is urging anyone with an interest in innovation in Northern Ireland’s to register.
Gavin Kennedy, head of business banking for NI at Bank of Ireland UK, headline partner of the Invent Awards, said: “The creativity of innovation in challenging times is what leads to transformational solutions and our experience has shown that incredible things are achieved when business communities and individuals come together. Invent continues to be an inspiration in Northern Ireland and we’re hugely excited about the potentially game changing ideas the 2020 finalists will showcase at this year’s awards.
“At Bank of Ireland UK we continue to support local recovery and Invent is an invaluable programme which provides innovation entrepreneurs with a platform for discovery as well as access to and support from a network of expertise. It builds knowledge and confidence and provides lasting practical support which enables talented Northern Ireland teams realise their visionary innovative business ideas and to launch them into the world. There is no question that this year, COVID-19 has presented an enormous challenge to our physical, mental and financial wellbeing, which makes that ‘can-do’ enterprising spirit even more important than ever.”
Kerry McGarvey, Programme Manager at Catalyst, said: “We’ve been so impressed by the way the finalists have shown resilience and continued to innovate through very unusual times. The finalists are all companies that are aiming to solve real world problems and it is clear that coronavirus has not held them back. Innovation really is alive and well in Northern Ireland.
“This year’s Invent Awards will be a hybrid event which people can attend online for free. I’d urge anyone with an interest in supporting the growth of Northern Ireland’s entrepreneurial community to attend virtually and show their support to this next generation of founders.”
For information on how to attend Invent 2020, go to https://wearecatalyst.org/programmes/invent/
Gavin Kennedy, head of business banking for NI at Bank of Ireland and Kerry McGarvey, Programme Manager at Catalyst
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