
‘Rig Roadie’ concept takes first prize in Student Synergy Awards
By Brendan Grehan
INNOVATION and entrepreneurship were all the rage in IT Tallaght last week when they held their annual Student Synergy Awards.
Brian Bailey took home first prize for his Rig Roadie concept which offers a storage solution for the working musician.
The format for the day involved the usual early morning showcase of display stands featuring 10 participating teams; with personnel providing information and demonstrations of their products and services.
The second part of the morning was then set-up as a Dragons Den-style pitch in the President’s Boardroom. Each team had a total 10 minutes each to pitch to our judges; 5 minutes presentation with a 5-slides deck and 5 minutes questions and answers.
This was directed to an expert judging panel comprising; Jack McDonnell (ITT Dublin Industrial Liaison Manager), Ena Coleman (LEO South Dublin Enterprise Executive), and Ben Teeling (Allogen Biotech & resident Synergy Centre Entrepreneur and ITT Dublin Graduate).
The winners won from a total prize fund totalling €5,500, with an iPad Mini as an added-incentive prize for good measure.
As part of the judging panel Ben Teeling offered the ‘The Teeling Trophy for Entrepreneurship’ to the most deserving finalist/team. This very practical prize offers the most deserving company a well-seasoned entrepreneur’s first-hand knowledge and business experience. Ben Teeling offers a winner’s mentoring package of his personal time and attention, giving the winner practical advice on legal, financial, and start-up supports.
Along with winning the first prize of €2,000, Brian Bailey was also awarded the Teeling Trophy for Entrepreneurship.
Nessa Morrisey and Maria Aprile took the second prize of €1,500 for their Beauty Scan concept, and in third place, winning €1,000 were Louise Hudson, Amy Tuite and Katie McDonald with Basic Box.
Selena Walshe, Nicole Grant, Michelle Foran and Jack McDonnell took fourth place and €500 for Hannaband.
Jason Kavanagh, Aoife Mullen, and Graham Healy won a €250 Merit Award for Pet Tracker. Neil Carroll, Eoin Carroll and Craig Babikian also won a €250 Merit Award for Ignite Media. The winner of the iPad Mini was Nessa Morrisey of Beauty Scan.
Registrations and activities for our annual ITT Student Synergy Awards take place again into the next college year and are available to our registered students from September 2016 .
This year we have the added excitement of four of the shortlisted local finalists being entered into the 50 finalists nationally for the Third Level Enterprise Ireland National finals www.studententrepreneurawards.com
The shortlist of 10 finalists will be called in May and the finals held later in June 2016 to be held in Limerick IT, home to last year’s winners.