Win a €20,000 package for your start up idea!
What is the Start-App competition?
The Irish Start-App competition is your chance to bring your creative app or website concept to life! It's open to aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage startups looking to kickstart their business idea and compete for a prize package worth more than €20,000.
Register your interest for 2024
Competition Process
Apply Online
Start by completing our online application form.
Idea Pitch
After your initial application, you'll receive a more detailed form to provide additional information about your idea.
Finalists Selection
Our top 10 finalists, chosen based on the quality of their ideas, will be notified.
Mentorship Webinars
Finalists will receive valuable tips and advice on perfecting your pitch, developing an MVP and promoting your idea.
Pitch Preparation
Finalists will gather insights and fine tune their pitches to present to our judges.
Presentations & Winner Announced
The final presentations will be made to our panel of judges, and the winner will be announced on the day.
Why Enter?
This competition is your opportunity to turn your creative app or website idea into a reality!
Comprehensive Support Package
Joining the Irish Start-App Competition offers a shot at winning a €20,000+ prize package, including a prototype and content services. You’ll also access mentorship, industry guidance, and cutting-edge tech for your success.
Boosted Visibility and Networking
Competing boosts visibility with media exposure and Startups Magazine features. It also fosters networking with entrepreneurs and pros, opening doors to collaborations.
Proof of Concept and Investor Appeal
Winning gives you a strong proof of concept with a well-executed prototype, attracting investors and partners for increased funding and support.
Personal and Professional Growth
Participating in Start-App competition promotes personal and professional growth, providing valuable experience, feedback, and essential skills for your entrepreneurial journey and long-term startup success.
The Prize
MVP Prototype
Ireland’s App Development Company of the Year, Square Root Solutions, will partner with the winner to create an app or website MVP (Minimum Viable Product) prototype.
The MVP will represent a working iteration of the final product, featuring the essential features and functionalities necessary to demonstrate the concept and gather feedback from potential customers or investors.
12 Months Content
Creation Membership
Ireland’s first on-demand creative studio with an annual membership, Factory44, will provide the winner with continuous high-quality branded content and access to exclusive networking events.
Located in Dublin city, Factory44 boasts multiple photography, videography, and podcast facilities, along with an expert team, ready to maximise the winners business objectives.
Featured Article
Ireland’s App Development Company of the Year, Square Root Solutions, will partner with the winner to create an app or website MVP (Minimum Viable Product) prototype.
The MVP will represent a working iteration of the final product, featuring the essential features and functionalities necessary to demonstrate the concept and gather feedback from potential customers or investors.
Who Can Participate?
If you’re wondering if you’re eligible for the Start-App competition, here’s what you need to know:
Age Requirement
Applicants must be over 18 years old.
Geographic Location
Your startup must be based in either Ireland or the UK, with plans to operate from these locations.
Company Age
Your startup must have been established within the past two years or be a brand-new idea. We're looking for early-stage concepts and ideas.
Minimal Product Development
You should not have a fully developed, market-ready product at the time of application. The focus is on early-stage concepts and ideas.
Limited Revenue Generation
You shouldn't have generated significant revenue from your business idea. Some market validation activities are okay, but substantial income generation is not.
Pre-Funding Stage
You should not have received substantial external funding, such as seed investment or venture capital funding. The competition aims to support startups in the early stages of development.
Register your interest for 2024
Once you have submitted your details, we will email you a form so you can provide us with additional information about your idea.
Competition Hosts
Meet out esteemed competition hosts: Square Root Solutions and Factory 44. Leaders in entrepreneurship, driving innovation within startups, specialising in software development, marketing, content creation, and beyond.
We’re Irelands App Development Company of the Year for 2023! Square Root Solutions in Dublin, Kilkenny, and Cork, known as industry veterans, delivers exceptional software development services with the latest technologies.
Since November 2016, we’ve focused on empowering startups and enterprises with comprehensive software solutions, earning us top recognition globally. Square Root Solutions takes pride in being the driving force behind some of Ireland’s most successful startups, including KeepAppy, TeachKloud, and ProMotion.
We specialize in mobile, web, UI/UX design, IoT, AR/VR, game development, blockchain, AI, and ML, elevating businesses with cutting-edge solutions.
FACTORY44 is a membership-based hub of creative solutions covering podcasting, videography and photography.
Extending beyond our membership, we offer branding, design and social media management services to boost your business or creative project.
Think of FACTORY44 not only as your trusted and empowering partner but also, an expert extension of your marketing team.
Our prime location, cutting-edge facilities, expert team and top-tier equipment is at your disposal, saving you time and budget while freeing up your own resources.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To apply, simply fill out our online application form on the website.
If you are selected as a finalist, you will receive notification prior to December 1st. Following that, you will be extended an invitation to participate in mentorship webinars, during which you will receive valuable tips and advice on perfecting your pitch, developing an MVP and promoting your idea. Afterward, you will have a few weeks to prepare your pitch, culminating in an opportunity to present your idea to our panel of judges. The winner will be announced on the event day.
The application deadline is [insert date]
This competition exclusively caters to early-stage concepts and ideas. If you find yourself uncertain about your eligibility, kindly reach out to us via email at [insert email address].
The winner will be determined through a comprehensive evaluation process, considering various factors such as the quality of the idea, the capabilities of the individuals behind the idea, its scalability, market viability, and its potential to effectively address a specific problem or need. Our judges will assess presentations meticulously and engage in in-depth deliberation to identify the most deserving winner.
The prize package includes a €15,000 app/website prototype, a €5,000 content creation package and a featured article in Startups Magazine.
