The Local Enterprise Office Waterford has launched its Pitch Perfect 2025 competition for Start Ups. It’s calling all those with a new innovative idea or who have recently started a business to apply today.
Cash and industry prizes to be won!
Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Waterford, SETU Xcelerate Centre, and Boxworks Co Working Space have joined forces to deliver a new Start Up Competition for those with an innovative business idea or those already in business trading less than 18 months.
Previous winners include Praveen Kaur, founder of Uoto, a peer-to-peer car rental company that aims to revolutionise the way people rent cars at airports, and Michael Power, founder of Greenfeed, an animal feed additive which dramatically reduces methane emissions from ruminant species (such as cattle) currently farmed in Ireland. Now it’s your turn to apply.
The programme invites applications for two categories:
- Best Business Idea
- Best Start-Up Business (trading < 18 months)
Successful applicants will be selected for a Business Bootcamp where participants will be guided through the initial stages of developing their idea or business. Participants will fine tune their pitch before presenting to the judges who will select the top pitches, with prize winners announced on the day. The bootcamp will be delivered by the Entrepreneurs Academy for free to a limited number of participants over the course of a day and a half, on 25th – 26th April 2025. You must be able to attend on these dates to take part in the competition.
Day one of the programme will take place at SETU Xcelerate Centre, SETU West Campus, Carriganore, Waterford, home to some of the most innovative companies in digital technology. Programme mentors will work with participants to review their idea, choose the correct business model, investigate market trends, plan the route to market and develop a business pitch.
Day two will be on location at Boxworks, Waterford’s coworking space for tech and creative industries, and hub for smart-thinking entrepreneurs, startups and ambitious small businesses. Participants will fine tune their pitch before presenting to the judges who will select the top pitches, with prize winners announced on the day.
Spaces are limited and those interested are invited to complete an expression of interest to be part of the event before 5pm, 14th April 2025.
