At Quintas Capital, we are passionate about supporting entrepreneurship and innovation. Last May, we were thrilled to sponsor the AxisBIC Annual Venture Academy event, alongside our esteemed partners Cork City Council and Cork County Council. Held at the stunning River Lee Hotel in Cork, the event was a hub of inspiration and creativity.
This year’s Venture Academy brought together a group of remarkable startups, each with a unique story and vision. As the day unfolded, we witnessed eight incredible companies pitch their innovative ideas to a panel of industry experts, showcasing their potential to drive future growth.
Celebrating Entrepreneurial Talent: The Pitching Companies
Here’s a quick look at the eight brilliant startups that took the stage:
BladeBridge - Pitched by Angie Nagle
Breakthrough Maths - Pitched by TJ Hegarty
The Proper Dairy Company - Pitched by Omar Haqqi
Celtonn - Pitched by Marie Bourke & Aoife Kelly
Revelate Fitness - Pitched by Chris Kenefick
Array Patch - Pitched by Waleed Faisal
ProVascTec - Pitched by Dr. Holger B. Müller
Soothing Solutions Ltd - Pitched by Sinéad Crowther
Each of these companies brought forward incredible ideas, all aiming to solve real-world problems and make a lasting impact in their respective industries.
And the Winners Are...
The energy in the room was high as the judging panel evaluated each presentation, ultimately awarding two standout companies for their impressive performances.
"Most Investible Company" went to Dr. Holger B. Müller of ProVascTec, whose company is making waves in the medical field.
"Best Pitch" was awarded to TJ Hegarty of Breakthrough Maths, whose education-focused venture aims to revolutionise the way students learn maths.
The Judging Panel: Expertise and Insight
The panel of judges played a crucial role in evaluating the pitches and offering valuable feedback. This year, the panel included:
Kevin Canning – Managing Director, Quintas Capital
Teresa Chambers – Industry Expert
Ger O'Mahony – Venture Capital Specialist
Their combined expertise in business, finance, and entrepreneurship ensured that the winners were selected not only based on their immediate potential but also their ability to scale and sustain long-term growth.
Keynote Speakers: Wisdom from Industry Leaders
The day wasn’t just about pitches! After the presentations, we were treated to a thought-provoking Q&A session featuring two inspiring entrepreneurs:
Colum O’Sulivan, Founder of Cully & Sully Limited
Gary Fox, Host of The Entrepreneur Experiment
These industry leaders shared invaluable insights into the world of entrepreneurship, touching on topics such as business growth, overcoming challenges, and staying innovative in competitive markets. Their experiences offered a glimpse into what it takes to succeed in today’s fast-paced business environment.
Thank You
We want to extend a huge thank you to Larry O'Donoghue, Fionnuala Wall, and the entire AxisBIC team for their incredible work in organising this event. We are delighted to have been a part of it and look forward to seeing the continued success of all the startups involved.
Quintas Capital in the Irish Examiner
The event also made headlines! We were delighted to see our very own Kevin Canning, Managing Director of Quintas Capital, featured in the Irish Examiner as he presented the award for "Best Pitch" to TJ Hegarty, CEO of Breakthrough Maths. Congratulations once again, TJ – we’re excited to see where you’ll take Breakthrough Maths in the future!
Catch the Highlights: Event Video
For those who couldn’t attend the event, don’t worry – we’ve put together a short video capturing the highlights of the day, from the dynamic pitches to the insightful keynote sessions. Check it out below:
Credit to Ben O’Neill and Gary Fox for their fantastic work on this video!
Looking Ahead
As we reflect on the success of this year’s AxisBIC Venture Academy, it’s clear that Cork is brimming with entrepreneurial talent. At Quintas Capital, we are committed to supporting the next generation of innovators, and we look forward to seeing these startups thrive in the months and years to come. Here’s to the future of innovation in Cork!
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