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INVENT

INVENT is an annual competition that celebrates our most exciting innovators and entrepreneurs, giving them an international platform and support to make the greatest impact.

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Head to the INVENT website for more information

What is INVENT?

INVENT is an annual competition organised by Catalyst with headline partner Bank of Ireland, that celebrates our most exciting innovators and entrepreneurs, giving them an international platform and support to make the greatest impact. 

Applications for INVENT 2025 will open in Spring! Register your interest here

Who should apply?

Apply for the programme if:

  • You have an innovative solution to a problem.
  • You’re a student completing a course project that you know is the next big thing.
  • You have been working on cutting edge research and now want to commercialise.
  • You have a side project and are ready to take the next step.

Now is the time to put your innovation in the spotlight!

Why apply?

By applying for INVENT, you will:

  • Market validate your idea
  • Unlock a quality network of like-minded peers and mentors
  • Fuel your growth
  • Get support with your pitch
  • Gain high profile exposure and recognition
  • Be in with a chance of winning a share of the £55,000 prize fund
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Winning INVENT was a huge deal for Dia Beta Labs in terms of validation and exposure. As a therapeutic development company without the ability to demonstrate with prototypes or divulge commercially sensitive information it can sometimes be difficult to generate buzz around what we are doing. However, INVENT gave us something tangible to show off our success and provided us a platform to increase the profile and visibility of the company which has helped in our engagement with investors and potential customers since the win. Indeed, "Oh, you guys won INVENT!" has become a common icebreaker for many of the people we speak with!

Ryan Lafferty, Dia Beta Labs: Overall INVENT 2024 Winner

Headline Partner

Innovation Founders / Impact Award Winners

Martina Tierney Impact Award 2022
Brendan Monaghan Innovation Founder 2021
Bloc Blinds ~ SureCert ~ Axial 3D ~ Dr Tara Moore Innovators Awardees 2020
Denis Murphy Innovation Founder 2019
John Rainey MBE Innovation Founder 2018
James Leckey Innovation Founder 2017
Martin Naughton KBE Innovation Founder 2016
Brian Conlon Innovation Founder 2015
Dr William Wright CBE Innovation Founder 2014
Dr Peter FitzGerald CBE Innovation Founder 2013
Tom Eakin Innovation Founder 2012
Dr Hugh Cormican Innovation Founder 2011
Prof John Anderson Innovation Founder 2010

Steering Team

Claire Kelly Catalyst
Clare Passmore Chair
Colin Crangle Bank of Ireland
David Brownlee HSCNI
Jason Wiggins Queen's University Belfast
Neil Buchanan ECIT
Lewis Loane Torann
Bridgeen Callan Klas PDT Technology
Michael Shaw RPS
Kat Maguire Queen's University Belfast
Emma Donnelly Ulster University
Treena Clarke Harbinson Mulholland
Jonathan Wallace Ulster University
Tina O'Donnell Seagate
Stephen Beck EY
Judith Maguire Queen's University Belfast
Carson McDowell

Meet your INVENT Programme Manager

Claire Kelly

Claire Kelly

Programme Manager – Co-Founders & INVENT

Claire is the Co-Founders Programme manager and leads the recruitment and delivery of the ... read more
Claire Kelly

Claire Kelly

Programme Manager – Co-Founders & INVENT

Claire is the Co-Founders Programme manager and leads the recruitment and delivery of the programme.

Prior to joining Catalyst, Claire worked with Make-A-Wish Ireland as the National Volunteer Coordinator. The volunteers played a pivotal role in helping to grant wishes for the wish children. Claire was also responsible for Make-A-Wish Ireland’s national fundraising campaign – Wish Week, which ran across the Republic of Ireland and helped to raise vital funds for the charity.

Claire has a passion for working with non-profits and over the past 18 years has worked with other charities such as Mellon Educate, Mater Foundation, and Oxfam.

Claire is experienced in event and programme management and volunteer/stakeholder engagement.

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