Nexus Venture Programme Graduates and Mentors. Pictured, back row, L-R: Aidan Kenny, Indwell, Grainne Carey, Nexus, Patrick Cronin, Textilise, George O’Dwyer, Hotel and Heritage Ireland, Professor Don Barry, UL President, Michael Byrne, Conceptworx, Fiona Keane, Little Farmer, Dr Mary Shire, Vice President Research, Paul Dillon, Director Technology Transfer Officer, Maurice Patterson, Nexus Mentor, KBS. Front row: John Mulvihill, Halo, Andrea Deverell, Centre Manager Nexus, Denis O’Mahony, Bladestaz, Sheila O’Connor, Travel Trip Master, Anthony Comer, Bladestaz, Rory Mooney, Class Medical
Revolutionary Ideas Showcased at UL Nexus Venture Programme
Wednesday, 4th July 2012
The University of Limerick’s Nexus Venture Programme exhibited a range of start-up businesses, from medical devices and food innovations, to publishing solutions at the end of year showcase. The event marked the end of the intensive programme based at the Nexus Innovation Centre which assists entrepreneurs to take business ideas from early conceptual stage to an investor ready business plan. Now in its third year, the Nexus Venture Programme is aimed at entrepreneurs who have the drive and ambition to establish companies with global reach.
Academics from the Kemmy Business School and leading business people from the region held one-to-one mentoring sessions to provide the guidance and skills necessary for entrepreneurs representing 9 businesses who took part in the programme involving. These sessions were aimed at helping the innovators to shape their ideas into scalable business models.
Speaking at the event, UL President, Professor Don Barry said; “This event is a clear illustration of the growing community of entrepreneurs at the Nexus both on the Venture Programme and also within the Centre. Nexus is being recognised nationally for the vital link it is providing between UL’s industry-informed research on the one hand and, on the other, business innovation in many of the knowledge-intensive industries that are critical to Ireland’s economic recovery and future prosperity.”
Winner of the Nexus Prize for the Most Innovative Company, Rory Mooney of Class Medical said; “The Nexus programme is providing me with the complete set of tools which are necessary to finally get one of my inventions to the market. The very comprehensive subject matter - addressing the importance of risk reduction on your way to the market. Dragons with real experience in success and failure provide the backbone to the programme."
Winner of the Nexus Prize for the Most Progressed Company. Conceptworx, Michael Byrne said; "“The University of Limerick Venture program is ideally suited to individuals who want to take their fledgling business to the next level. With workshops and intensive individual sessions with industry experts, it pushes the budding entrepreneur from just thinking about their idea to actually making it work”.
The companies presenting at this years end of year showcase were: Bladestaz, Textilise, Conceptworx, Hotel and Heritage Ireland, The Halo Device, Class Medical, Little Farmer, Indwell, TravelTripMaster
Details of the next venture programme at UL Nexus Innovation Centre will be announced shortly. Contact Innovation Centre Manager, Andrea Deverell on 061 202737 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for further details. www.nexusinnovation.ie