Startupbootcamp eyes medtech firms for Berlin accelerator

21 Mar 2017

Image: S.Borisov/Shutterstock

Start-ups in the digital health space are sought for Startupbootcamp’s latest accelerator, with 10 companies sought for the Berlin programme.

Now in its seventh year, Startupbootcamp’s successful growth sees its latest accelerator land in Berlin, with medtech the order of the day.

For its digital health programme, the organisers are looking for start-ups in areas like biotech, data and analytics, behaviour change, e-health, genomics, health insurance and remote monitoring.

Applications for the camp are currently being welcomed, with $15,000 on offer for a 6pc stake in the successful participants’ start-up.

Places on the shortlist are based on a first come, first serve basis, so the organisers are suggesting the earlier application are submitted the better.

Other avenues for success

Two Enterprise Ireland competitive start funds announced in late February, targeting graduate and international entrepreneurs, are closing calls for applications tomorrow (22 March).

Those two programmes see €50,000 allocated to each of 20 successful applicants – a total of €1m set aside for businesses working in internet, games, apps, mobile, SaaS, cloud, enterprise software, life sciences, food, cleantech and industrial products spaces.

Meanwhile, an earlier programme looking at all sectors in ICT, which closed for applications in early February, has its pitch event today (21 March).

Yesterday, it was revealed that Enterprise Ireland is bringing a pitch competition to seven locations around Ireland in the coming months, with prizes on offer for current and future female entrepreneurs.

Called the ‘Steps to Success’ roadshow, this is the second running of the competition. Network Ireland, in conjunction with local enterprise offices (LEOs), is supporting the scheme.

The free roadshow will visit Wicklow (5 April), Kilkenny (6 April), Portlaoise (25 April), Castlebar (26 April), Sligo (11 May), Bunratty (14 June) and Cavan (28 June).

“A key focus for Enterprise Ireland is supporting companies to start, innovate and scale by realising their growth potential and global ambition,” said Julie Sinnamon, CEO of Enterprise Ireland.

Sinnamon noted female entrepreneurship in Ireland sits at just 20pc at present, though that has risen from 7pc just six years ago.

Calling the upward trend “very encouraging”, Sinnamon claimed Enterprise Ireland wants it to keep rising, with the creation of start-ups and scaling up of services the priority.

Gordon Hunt was a journalist with Silicon Republic

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