Four Finalists announced for FutureScope One2Watch 2017

FutureScope today 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 main stage 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.”

The four One2Watch finalists are:

WeSavvy

Cloud-based digital insurance platform that allows policyholders to take control of their insurance with lifestyle data. Founded by Hesus Inoma and Ciara O’Grady, WeSavvy captures and aggregates data from customer platforms, apps and wearables. In doing so, the application gives users the ability to gain cash points and benefits on their policy when they take part in physical activities such as walking, running or cycling.

ProVerum Medical

The developer of a minimally invasive treatment for a condition that will affect up to 80% of men, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) – a condition affecting urethra function. Existing treatments are associated with many side effects and require a general anaesthetic, invasive procedures and lengthy hospital stays. Led by Dr Conor Harkin and Dr Ríona Ni Ghriallais, the solution developed by ProVerum Medical offers patients a less invasive means of targeting BPH symptoms, with fewer side effects than existing treatment choices.

Skytango

Founded by Emmy Award-winning producers Steven Flynn and Susan Talbot, Skytango offers a library of aerial drone footage that can be accessed by video content creators. The solution assures content creators that their footage has been legally sourced. It also aims to reduce the number of companies carrying out unlicensed filming, ensuring prices don’t reach unsustainably low levels for licensed providers.

Hexafly

Using sustainably farmed insects, biotech company Hexafly takes low-value vegetative waste and converts it into sustainable, natural commodities. The method ensures the maximum extraction of high-value protein and oil products. Founded by Darren Brennan, Alvan Hunt, Patrick McGarvey and John Lynam, the company provides an environmentally friendly cleantech solution to some serious problems and issues facing the animal feed and fertiliser markets.

For your chance to win a pair of tickets to the FutureScope event on May 10, check out this article.