INNOVATION COMPETITION DISCOVERS 12 FINALISTS SET TO CHANGE THE WORLD

12 teams of innovators and entrepreneurial future thinkers have progressed to the final of Northern Ireland’s premier innovation competition INVENT. Organised by Catalyst and supported by Bank of Ireland UK, INVENT’s mission is to discover the next product/service with the greatest commercial potential.

The competition challenges and develops innovators, entrepreneurs, students, scientists and start-ups to develop their proof of concept idea. It serves as a showcase for emerging Northern Ireland tech and product innovations increasing their visibility and comes with a £33,000 prize fund to split between the winners.

‘It was so encouraging to see 100 tech entrepreneurs apply for Invent 2020. Through the recent challenges, times of uncertainty and change, the spirit of innovation persists and is as strong as ever. Invent 2020 has and will continue to look very different this year as we move all aspects online.’ Says Kerry McGarvey, Programme Manager, INVENT.

The Semi-finals took place online via livestream with a multi location, highly experienced judging panel that included: Carmen Rico Samaipata VC, Ian Leigh Greenwood Way Capital, Andrew Aldridge Deepbridge Capital, Kealan Doyle Symvan capital, Gavin Kennedy Bank of Ireland UK and Dr Michael Shaw of RPS Group.

Commenting on the announcement Gavin Kennedy Head of Business Banking NI at Bank of Ireland UK said; “This is another year of inspiring innovations involving tech, engineering, electronics, digital and health sciences with strong commercial potential to disrupt and transform areas such as: audience engagement in sport; improving, protecting and saving lives; delivering inclusive learning experiences for children and much much more. At Bank of Ireland we understand that success in business doesn’t just happen. It is created by people with great vision, who innovate and take risks in order to deliver enhanced outcomes for their customers and/or communities. The creativity of innovation in challenging times is what leads to game-changing solutions and now more than ever will this mind set, along with a community of support, be invaluable in repairing and rebuilding the Northern Ireland economy.”

Watch the announcement:

The 12 finalists selected are:

Creative Media and Consumer Internet: Sport Buff, Boop

Life & Health Science: KLAS PDT Technology, eXRT Intelligent HC

Electronics: AntennaWare, Safe Student

Engineering: AJEA, Trussbuddy

Enterprise Software: Work Plus, Movetru

Agri-Science: Born Maverick Beverages, Stallion Services

About the contestants:

Sport Buff is a next generation audience engagement for sports broadcast. Engaging viewers through live predictions, polls, votes, trivia and more over the top of video content – live, replay, archive, news and highlights.

Boop promotes an inclusive learning environment where students of all abilities including SEN are supported through one platform. Implemented in the classroom and at home, it provides consistent support, that extends beyond the school gates.

Workplus makes it easier for organisations to find apprentices. An online marketplace where companies collaborate and help people take the first or next step in their career.

Movetru is a specialist software that pairs with a user’s device to provide the user with personalised information to enhance performance, prevent injury and aid in injury rehabilitation.

AJEA is ushering in a new era for flood protection. A patented flood protection system that once installed doesn’t require any power source or human interaction in order to deploy. It has been designed to be completely autonomous

TrussBuddy is a telescopic balancing tool with a rotatable head used to spread roof trusses. It’s a new and exciting tool that will revolutionize the way rooves are assembled in the construction Industry, in turn making the process more efficient and safe for operatives

KLAS-PDT Technology is a peptide based non-invasive therapy for metastatic melanoma. It is used alongside current immunotherapies to increase their effectiveness at a reduced cost to both the provider (financially) and user (less toxicity).

eXRt Intelligent HC is a transformational stroke rehabilitation system for improving patient recovery at home by providing engaging virtual reality games that adapt to personal physical therapy needs.

Púr by Born Maverick Beverages is a unique gluten free, dairy free, plant based Vegan drink which has a high source of iron and calcium. The drink comes in three tasty flavours, is ethically sourced and packaged.

Stallion Services provides innovative breeding services to equine breeders in Northern Ireland, Ireland, and further afield.

AntennaWare is a new antenna technology that revolutionises wireless communications in wearable IoT, medical and sport applications/devices, by allowing wireless continuous monitoring from sensors in situations where this was previously thought difficult and in some cases impossible.

Safe Student is a tracking bracelet with partnered app to ensure the safety of students on a night out. It allows people to find each other if they get lost or get in an accident.

To learn more about Bank of Ireland UK click here or follow them at @BankofIrelandUK

View the Judges’ profiles here

To learn more about Invent click here

To arrange interviews with the contestants, INVENT or Bank of Ireland please contact:

Jamie Stinson

Brand Manager Catalyst

Jamie.stinson@165.232.103.4