TUS BUSINESS STARTUP AWARDS
Celebrating Entrepreneurial Excellence

AWARDS

 

What are the TUS Business Startup Awards?

The TUS Business Startup Awards celebrate New Frontiers Participants successful completion of "Develop the Business" Phase 2 (6-month Programme) at TUS Midwest's Hartnett Enterprise Acceleration Centre.  During the programme participants work both in and on their innovative business ideas while they benefit from training workshops, mentoring, networking opportunities, office space & financial support in the form of a tax-free education stipend of €15,000. 
This Awards event is their opportunity to celebrate their achievements & showcase their business idea  with attendees - investors, startup supports, clients, sponsors, friends, family and others plus compete to win the coveted title of TUS Startup of the Year.  The event includes a panel of speakers including New Frontiers Alumni sharing their entrepreneurial journey, startup supporters, investors & others.  
During this event participants pitch & compete for one of three awards: TUS Startup of the Year,  Best Innovation Awards & One to Watch Award.

Award Eligibility & Winners Prizes 

Pitching to win  awards is restricted to TUS Midwest New Frontiers Participants who have successfully completed the 6-month phase 2 "Develop the Business" Programme.

Annually these business founders compete for the coveted title of Startup of the Year and two runners up prizes.

Startup of the Year winners prize:

  • Cash prize €2000
  • 1 day mentoring support
  • 1 day legal consultancy

  • Runners up winners prizes:

  • Cash Prize €1000 
  • 1/2 day legal consultancy
  • 1/2 day mentoring support
  • * Prize are subject to change annually based on sponsorship.

    Meet the 2024 Winners  


    Congratulations to the winners of our most recent awards held on Tuesday, 28th March, 2024.

    TUS Startup of the Year:  Adem Ergen, OneBill.ie    

    TUS Best Innovation Award: Margaret Power, SiBark

    TUS One to Watch Award: Lindsay Moynagh, Wendor App
                                                  

    Read the Press Release 

    TUS 2024 Awards Booklet with Founder Profiles (2024)

        Previous TUS Startup of the Year Winners

        2023: Paul Byrnes, Mavarick                                                   

        2022: Patrick Dight, Sparwatch

        2021: Lorraine Lynch, Child Pshychology Institute

        2019: Ivan Tuohy, Great Ireland Experiences

        2018: Ger O'Keeffe, Assure Medical

        2017: Mark Cochrane, Trackplan

        2016: Evan Talty, Wild Irish Seaweed 

        TUS Midwest Startup Awards Sponsors

        Thank you for our TUS Business Awards Sponsors who generously contributed prize money, mentoring session, training supports & the event venue. 

        Thank you all for the support & encouragement you give these entrepreneurs at this early stage of their entrepreneurial journey.


        Limerick Local Enterprise Office

        Clare Local Enterprise Office

        Tipperary Local Enterprise Office

        Limerick Chamber Skillsnet

        Holmes

        Bridgewater

        Innovate Limerick

        Are you the 2026 TUS Business Award Winner?

        Are you an early stage founder/ entrepreneur with an innovative business idea? 

        If you want to compete in the 2026 TUS Business Startup Awards you must have completed the New Frontiers Phase 2 2025 Programme at TUS Midwest's Hartnett Enterprise Acceleration Programme.  This programme will begin in September 2025.

        Our recommendation is that start your New Frontiers Journey with our Phase 1 "Test the Idea" Programme starting in April '25.   Strengthen your business proposition on phase 1 and compete to secure a place on the Phase 2 "Develop the Business" Programme.

        Tip: Attend the 2025 TUS Business Awards on Tuesday 1st April '25 - Bookings will open shortly.


                                                               

                                                  TUS Business Startup Awards 2024

        Previous Award Events

        2023 Awards Event

        2022 Awards Event

        2021 Awards Event

        Alumni Testimonials