Siliconrepublic.com meets the first eight start-ups to take part in the new Bank of Ireland StartLab incubator on Galway’s Eyre Square.

Based in a custom-designed Bank of Ireland building on Eyre Square, the eight companies will benefit from a range of complementary facilities, including desk space, high-speed Wi-Fi and conference rooms, as well as one-to-one sessions

with key coaches and mentors, introductions to investors and support from Bank of Ireland’s Innovation Team.

The eight start-ups are: Birdleaf, Mint Tek Circuits, Howling Hamster, ExerWise, Couture-Intel, Woof Advisor, Builder Engine and Bluedrop Medical.

The companies will embark on a six-month curriculum that includes sessions on business model validation, lean methodology, building strategic partnerships and stress-testing the product and market fit. The programme is designed to educate, connect and scale the technology start-ups and, once completed, businesses will participate in a ‘Demo Day’, with the opportunity to pitch to industry leaders, venture capitalists and investors.

Words by John Kennedy