National Startup Awards
At Microfinance Ireland, we are proudly sponsoring the Early Stage Startup category at the National Startup Awards.
At the launch of the 2024 National Startup Awards at the City Hall (L-R)
John Neeson, Partner, McCann Fitzgerald LLP
Michael O’Dea Senior Development Advisor, HPSU Operations Enterprise Ireland
Anna Marie Turley Head of Entrepreneurship & HPSU Operations Enterprise Ireland
Rory O’Malley Partner McCann FitzGerald LLP
Leo Clancy, CEO Enterprise Ireland
Jamie Heaslip, Ireland Strategic Growth Lead Stripe
Emer Higgins TD, Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail
Greg Swift Head of Enterprise at LEO Dublin City Council
Stephen Dillon, Founder The National Startup Awards
Darren Ronan Commercial Partner Sales Manager Virgin Media
Jane Connolly Marketing Executive MicroFinance Ireland
John Richardson Manager Cronin & Co
Dr Rosalind Beere Business Consultant Furthr and Founder/CEO of Chi Fit
Paula Carroll National Programme Manager -Enterprise Irelands New Frontiers Programme
At the launch of the 2024 National Startup Awards at the City Hall (L-R)
John Neeson, Partner, McCann Fitzgerald LLP
Michael O’Dea Senior Development Advisor, HPSU Operations Enterprise Ireland
Anna Marie Turley Head of Entrepreneurship & HPSU Operations Enterprise Ireland
Rory O’Malley Partner McCann FitzGerald LLP
Leo Clancy, CEO Enterprise Ireland
Jamie Heaslip, Ireland Strategic Growth Lead Stripe
Emer Higgins TD, Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail
Greg Swift Head of Enterprise at LEO Dublin City Council
Stephen Dillon, Founder The National Startup Awards
Darren Ronan Commercial Partner Sales Manager Virgin Media
Jane Connolly Marketing Executive MicroFinance Ireland
John Richardson Manager Cronin & Co
Dr Rosalind Beere Business Consultant Furthr and Founder/CEO of Chi Fit
Paula Carroll National Programme Manager -Enterprise Irelands New Frontiers Programme
The National Startup Awards were founded to recognise and celebrate Ireland’s most innovative and promising startups. As the country’s premier startup awards program, they provide a platform for early-stage companies to gain national and international exposure and credibility.
At Microfinance Ireland, we are proudly sponsoring the Early Stage Startup category.
The Early Stage Startup award is designed to recognise Startups that display great potential for future growth. Early Stage Startups can come from any sector but must be under 2 years old (From date of incorporation).
Early Stage Startup category
The aim of the Early Stage Startup award is to recognise businesses that the judges feel have outstanding potential but may not be at the same level in terms of traction as more established startups.
Judging Criteria
- Innovation: E.g. grade of innovation, disruption and originality
- Business model: E.g. Organisational structure, sales strategy, strength of team, vision & strategic plan.
- Customer Value Proposition: Why should a customer buy or use your product or service?
- Scalability and Market Reach: E.g. pathway to growth, market size, export potential.
- Social Impact: E.g. jobs generated, diversity policy, social inclusion.
Why enter the awards?
By entering the National Startup Awards, you have the opportunity to impress potential investors, gain prestige and recognition from peers, network with fellow entrepreneurs, raise your profile, boost existing client comfort and loyalty, and more!
Eligibility
- Your organisation must be 5 years old or less on October 30th 2025
- Submission closing date is 25th September 2025 @11.59PM
- It is NOT a requirement to be a customer of any particular financial institution to enter the awards.
- Simply select the categories you wish to enter (you can enter up to three per company) and fill in the short application form.
- The judging panels will review all the submissions and select a regional shortlist for each category.
- These regional shortlists will be merged and judged again to produce the National Shortlist.
- National Shortlisted entrants will be invited to pitch their businesses live to our national judging panel in Dublin in November 2025.
- The winners will be announced at the Startup Awards Ceremony on 20th of November 2025 in Dublin’s City Hall.