Winners of the IDEATE Ireland 2025 Start-Up Competition

Winner: NuPitch

NuPitch is the winner of this year’s IDEATE Ireland competition, claiming a €10K prize fund. Christian Kotey and Ray Mongey of the Ulster University.  NuPitch is an AI-powered SaaS platform transforming rebate compliance in the film industry.

First Runner-Up: Anaestronic

Anaestronic’s Yineng (Ian) Wang Edel Whelton Jeronimo Javier Torres Sanchez from Tyndall National Institute. Anaestronic is an innovative needle system that enhances the safety and accuracy of ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve-blocks.

Second Runner-Up: FemmeBiome

Co-founded by Eimear Gleeson, PhD and Prof Siobhain O'Mahony from University College Cork, Femme Biome is creating personalized microbiome supplements designed specifically for women’s health.

IDEATE Ireland 2025 – Meet The Ten Competing Teams

EO Medical is developing an automatic dispenser with an integrated biosensor that monitors blood opioid levels, ensuring safe and personalized pain management at home. By preventing misuse and reducing overdose risks, this innovation offers a crucial solution to the global opioid crisis. University of Galway.

NuPitch is an Al-powered SaaS platform transforming global film rebate compliance. Automating budget validation, documentation review, and cross-border eligibility checks cuts audit timelines from 12 months to under 4. Designed for producers, film commissions, and auditors, it streamlines workflows, reduces compliance risks, and accelerates access to funding with greater transparency. Ulster University.

AAPTA Gut Genius+ is a non-invasive diagnostic platform that leverages proprietary sensing technology combined with Al to analyze biological fluids for early indicators of gut dysfunction, stress, inflammation, and metabolic imbalances. It delivers real-time insights and personalized diet and lifestyle recommendations to support optimal gut health and well-being. Queen's University Belfast.

Aurora is transforming heart failure care with a minimally invasive remote monitoring solution that reduces emergency admissions and healthcare costs. Their five-minute outpatient procedure enables continuous monitoring, improving patient outcomes while ensuring scalable, cost-effective care. University of Galway.

Genshield-Al is an intelligent platform that automatically tests and verifies Al models' security, robustness, and compliance against adversarial threats. Designed for high-stakes and regulated environments, it provides explainable, attack-aware insights-empowering organizations to achieve trustworthy, resilient, and safe Al deployment across industries. University College Dublin.

Anaestronic is an innovative needle system that enhances the safety and accuracy of ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve blocks. Real-time sensing helps clinicians differentiate tissue types, reducing risks like intravascular injection and overdose and improving anaesthesia outcomes.Tyndall National Institute.

Contractor Communication Innovation enhances safety, communication, and efficiency by integrating hands-free wireless technology and real-time recording into helmets, vests, and glasses for professionals in high-risk industries such as construction, emergency services, manufacturing and security. Southern Regional College.

FemmeBiome is creating personalized microbiome supplements designed specifically for women's health. They plan to develop a range of scientifically backed supplements and ingredients that address key unmet health needs at every stage of a woman's life. The first product will be a synbiotic solution targeting symptoms related to perimenopause and menopause. University College Cork.

Alpaca Bio is a healthcare company that is creating advanced treatments to fight infections, even those resistant to standard medicine. Their innovative peptides help boost the immune system while minimizing side effects and resistance risks. These treatments have potential uses in skin care, wound healing, oral health, vaginal health, animal care, and more. University College Cork.

Kookease offers frozen cookie dough packs designed for air fryers, making it easy to enjoy fresh-baked cookies in minutes. With single-serve portions and premium ingredients, Kookease provides a quick, mess-free treat for busy households seeking convenient, indulgent snacks. Munster Technological University.

About IDEATE Ireland

IDEATE Ireland helps develop entrepreneurial skills and innovative ideas among early-stage student entrepreneurs. Since its founding in 2011 by Bill McKiernan, WSM Capital, 358 people from academic institutions across the island of Ireland have participated in the programme. 63% of participating teams have formed viable businesses, creating 350+ jobs and raising €45.5M in follow-on funding.

Co-founder Helen Fullen joined the IDEATE Ireland initiative with co-founders David Moffitt, Danny Moore, Options Technology, Cian O’Flaherty, Safecility, and Bill McKiernan, WSM Capital. With extensive entrepreneurial backgrounds, all are firm believers in the importance of calculated risk-taking and the ability of business ideas to bring about positive change. Competition sponsors are PwC, Key Capital, Each&Other, The Guinness Enterprise Centre, InterTrade Ireland and The Ireland Funds.

Contact Us

For further information about Key Capital or the IDEATE Ireland start-up programme, email or call us at:

Email: niall.morris@keycapital.ie

Phone: +353 1 638 3838