The 2020 Invent Awards will take place as a free hybrid online event on October 8th, where 12 local tech startups will pitch to win a share of £33,000.
Catalyst's annual Invent awards has become an important event for the local tech scene, pitting local tech startups and entrepreneurs against each other for prizes and industry recognition. The awards shine spotlight on local tech innovations and proof of concept ideas that have wide commercial potential if developed further.
Invent Awards 2020 will be kicking off next month in a new hybrid event format that will allow you to tune in online. Over 100 entrepreneurs applied for the awards this year, and that list has been whittled down to the top two tech ideas in each of the six competition categories:
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
The 12 finalists will take to the stage at Belfast's ICC Belfast Hybrid Studio on October 8th next month to deliver their final one-minute elevator pitches. The hybrid studio will allow the event to take place live on a stage but with a virtual audience online, and this year the audience will help decide which team wins a £1,000 prize. The judging panel will then pick the final winners, who will share the £33,000 prize fund.
Kerry McGarvey, Programme Manager at Catalyst, commented: "The finalists are all companies that are aiming to solve real world problems and it is clear that coronavirus has not held them back. Innovation really is alive and well in Northern Ireland. This year’s Invent Awards will be a hybrid event which people can attend online for free. I’d urge anyone with an interest in supporting the growth of Northern Ireland’s entrepreneurial community to attend virtually and show their support to this next generation of founders."
To find out more about this year's awards or register for your free virtual ticket to attend from home, head over to https://wearecatalyst.org/programmes/invent/
Source: Written based on press release
