Catalyst鈥檚 competition for aspiring entrepreneurs, INVENT, is officially open for 2025 applications with a top prize of 拢25,000 set to be claimed by the overall winner.
The independent, non-profit science and technology hub is hosting the competition in partnership with the Bank of Ireland, looking for early-stage startups and aspiring entrepreneurs to present their innovations to a panel of expert judges.聽
INVENT 2025 will work towards a finale awards ceremony held in the ICC Belfast on the 23rd 翱肠迟辞产别谤.听
The awards have a total prize fund of 拢55,000 available, with each category winner securing 拢5,000 and the overall winner walking away with an additional 拢20,000.
There will also be an additional prize of 拢2,500, which will be awarded to the best student application in the competition.
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聽鈥淭he creative quality throughout entrepreneurship in Northern Ireland is continuing to soar, with new start-ups and big ideas coming to fruition every year,鈥� said Claire Kelly, INVENT programme manager at Catalyst.
鈥淲e are delighted to launch INVENT 2025 and continue to shine a light on our brightest minds who could be the key to solving many real-world problems.
鈥淟ast year we refreshed our categories and got a whole host of new ideas through the competition, and so we are excited to build upon these and see what this year鈥檚 candidates bring to the table.鈥�
Niall Devlin, head of business banking NI at Bank of Ireland UK, added: 鈥淔ostering entrepreneurship and celebrating innovation are at the core of our long-standing partnership with Catalyst.聽聽
鈥淚t鈥檚 why we’re pleased to renew our support for the INVENT programme which showcases what can be achieved when the right support is provided to enable entrepreneurs to learn, grow and develop.
鈥淏ank of Ireland opened its first branch locally in 1825 and we have been supporting entrepreneurs and enterprises ever since.聽
鈥淎s we look to the future, we鈥檙e more focused than ever on creating the right conditions to enable local entrepreneurs and businesses to thrive.鈥澛�
The competition will have six categories, with each providing a distinctive opportunity for a product or service to differentiate itself and capture the interest of key influencers and decision-makers in the region.
The categories are creative leisure, green horizons, future business, BioBreakthroughs, living well and uncharted ideas.