TUS BUSINESS STARTUP AWARDS
Celebrating Entrepreneurial Excellence
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.
Miss this years awards we will upload the recording later this month. In the meantime check out the founders 2025 TUS Business Startup Awards booklet:
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 €20001 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 2025 Winners
TUS Startup of the Year 2025: Cathal D'Arcy, Bergo
TUS Business Innovation Award 2025: Joint Winners
David O'Keeffe, SeeGap and Stephen O'Sullivan, I Left You a Note
TUS One to Watch Award: Jon Harrison, Statrdraft
Congratulations to the winners of our most recent awards held on Tuesday, 1st April
Read the 2025 Awards Press Release
Previous TUS Startup of the Year Winners
2024 Adem Ergen, Onebill
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
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