Tech sector invited to virtual look at Propel Pre-Accelerator start-ups

Belfast-based start-up accelerator IgniteNI will host a free virtual showcase with 21 early-stage companies from Northern Ireland, on Thursday 25 June at 3pm.

The Propel Pre-Accelerator Showcase will allow viewers to watch local entrepreneurs pitch their businesses.

It aims to offer founders, investors, mentors and industry stakeholders a glimpse into the future of the country’s rapidly developing start-up tech economy.

The showcase marks the culmination of an intensive six-month programme, delivered by IgniteNI.

Despite restrictions due to Covid-19, the programme successfully hosted over 700 team sessions and exposed companies to investors, experts and company founders from 10 different countries.

RELATED: Global investors join Northern Irish startups for virtual pitch session

The sessions featured insights from hundreds of entrepreneurs at various stages on their start-up journey.

These included leaders of some of the largest start-ups in the world, such as Stripe, SendGrid and Monzo. It also included support to the teams from IgniteNI alumni who participated on previous Pre-Accelerator and Accelerator programmes.

The Propel 2020 cohort

The 21 teams pitching are:

• Budibase – Build web apps 20 times faster, 20 times cheaper, and a whole lot easier.
• Community Calling – Connecting people in vulnerable situations to a network of local support.
• Cropsafe – Satellite imagery and soil analysis for farms.
• Dotmaker – Furniture from the look you love.
• Enginius – Digital dealership for construction and large machinery.
• Eolas Medical – AI powered systems to support clinical decision making.
• Farm Compare – Helping farmers connect with manufacturers and dealers.
• Flows2Forms – Streamlining business documentation processes.
• Fooday – Self-guided food and drink tours.
• Legitimate – Giving people confidence in online content.
• Lowdown – Highlighting the key information shared in Slack for teams.
• Machine Eye – Human detection and perception systems for safer farms.
• Material Evolution – Smart, sustainable concrete.
• Netminds – Connecting startups with mentors.
• PersonalCarer – Helping find and coordinate experienced carers.
• PulseAI – Transforming Cardiovascular Care using Artificial Intelligence.
• STAND – Smart jewellery for peace of mind.
• The School of Design – Teaching high-performing individuals about the power of design × business.
• VerdantLearn – Helping educators teach online.
• Whoohaz – Helping organisations share people, places and things.
• Workplus – The easier way to find apprentices.

RELATED: 10 start-ups begin the 2020 Ignite NI Accelerator programme

Chris McClelland, programme director at IgniteNI said:“This year’s Pre-Accelerator teams have faced difficult challenges in understanding the new norm and how their business will fit and prosper post Covid-19. Thanks to an explosion of support from local and international entrepreneurs, speakers and investors, the teams have progressed building stronger, resilient businesses that can overcome and stand the test of time.”

Stephen Wightman, director for technology solutions and new product development at Invest NI, which also supported the programme added that he is “confident the support and drive of Ignite and its partners will enable each to reach new levels of success post-COVID-19 and ultimately benefit the NI economy."

To attend the free online event, please register: propel-showcase.eventbrite.co.uk