On Monday 27th January evening Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) hosted its annual New Frontiers Programme Showcase & Awards, which recognised the 12 companies that completed Phase 2 of the New Frontiers Programme between June and December 2013. Seán Sherlock, T.D., Minister of State, Department of Enterprise, Jobs & Innovation and Department of Education & Skills with responsibility for Research & Innovation, once again officiated at this year’s event.
An audience of 180 people were introduced to companies operating across a range of sectors including animal bedding products, consumer products, digital publishing, food products, online resources and software.
Platform Avenue, a company that employs six people in Cork City, was announced as the overall winner of the New Frontiers Programme for 2013. Platform Avenue is a leading provider of talent management software solutions. The company’s suite of software solutions enable cross-sector organisations to source, interview and hire top personnel. The company has already amassed an impressive list of Irish and overseas blue chip companies as customers. Platform Avenue’s CEO, Patrick Dinneen, commented that “never has it been so important for organisations to recruit key personnel at the right time in a cost effective manner. Our suites of solutions deliver massive efficiencies in terms of both time and money.”
Category Cubed was awarded the Most Innovative Business Award. Category Cubed was formed to deliver an analysis solution which evaluates retail promotions. Building on the experience of its Chief Executive, Bill Thuillier, Category Cubed has developed an intuitive and easy to use software solution to address a challenge which costs Irish and UK suppliers over €500 million per year.
Run Angel won the Best Business Plan Award. Run Angel Ltd. has identified the need for a product which will enable women to feel safer when running. Mixing sport with safety in a host of fashionable designs, Run Angel is due for release in 2014. Run Angel is an innovative, clever and marketable product which will change how women engage in outdoor activities.
The other companies that were recognised on the night were Autism Start, BioBed Wood Shavings, HealthyYou, LearnLode, Obatics, Organic Little One, Pension Pal, Rewrite Science and Úna’s Pies.
The New Frontiers Phase 2 Programme is an intensive six-month rapid incubation programme that is delivered in CIT’s Rubicon Centre and delivers a range of practical benefits with the overriding aim of reducing the lead-in time associated with winning first customer orders in the marketplace. The Enterprise Ireland funded New Frontiers Programme delivered at CIT’s Rubicon Centre is working with clients across all industry sectors and recruitment takes place all year round for Phases 1 and 2 of the Programme. If you are considering the possibility of setting up your own company or know somebody exploring the option be sure to refer them to www.rubiconcentre.ie for further information.
