Wi-Fi specialist Fleet Connect wins Fingal Enterprise Award


30 Sep 2011

Nicola Byrne of 11890, Ben Dunne of Ben Dunne Fitness Centres, Bobby Kerr of Insomnia, Patrick Cotter of Fleet Connect (winner), and Joe Harford, chairperson of Fingal County Enterprise Board and Oisin Geoghegan, CEO of Fingal County Enterprise Board.

Set up in 2008, Blanchardstown-based broadband access company Fleet Connect has won the Fingal Enterprise Award as part of Fingal Enterprise Week.

Founded by Patrick Cotter, Fleet Connect provides passenger Wi-Fi services for major transport companies North and South, including Bus Eireann, Irish Rail, Translink, Aircoach and Go Bus.

“This company is unique in Ireland. The industry it operates in is constantly and rapidly evolving. It has managed to become market leader by keeping several steps ahead of the game,” said Oisin Geoghegan, CEO of Fingal County Enterprise Board. 

“After only three years, Fleet Connect has secured major contracts to provide its remote Wi-Fi and GPS vehicle-tracking systems to the major passenger transport companies in this country. It is poised for further growth, both at home and in international markets.”

Pitching process

Cotter had to pitch his enterprise along with three other finalists to the judging panel of Bobby Kerr from Insomnia, Ben Dunne from Ben Dunne Fitness Centres and 11890’s Nicola Byrne. 

Another nominee, Celtic Motorcycle Rentals, won the ‘Highly Commended’ award for its business pitch, as voted for by the members of the audience. The other finalists were Urbanfrog and QRS Renewables.

Urbanfrog, which was set up by Angie McMenamin and Vivienne Horkan, designs and distributes fashionable cyclewear. QRS Renewables, which is run by Robert Hegarty and Paul Quinn, provides energy solutions and energy-enabling services to the sustainable energy market. Celtic Motorcycle Rental Ireland, founded by Paul and Siobhan Rawlins, organises personal and self-guided tours of Ireland on motorcycle.

Organised by Fingal County Enterprise Board, Fingal Enterprise Week is supported by Fingal County Council, Bank of Ireland and Newstalk and comes to a close today (30 September).

Article courtesy of Bizstartup.ie