Two NUI Galway start-ups, SteriCision, a medical device company, and BladeComp, a wind and tidal turbine blade design software, traveled to New York recently for the annual Blackstone LaunchPad event.
The programme brought together entrepreneurial teams from across the US and Ireland to take part in an innovation bootcamp with access to world class mentors and content, to further accelerate and develop their businesses.
Over the course of the event, NUI Galway start-ups were able to engage with a diverse group mentors, start-ups and potential investors.
The programme resulted in both start-ups benefiting from personalised mentoring, Techstars expertise and exclusive content and support from business leaders including Jean Case from the Case Foundation.
Barry McCann, Commercial Lead at SteriCision, said the event was “a tremendous opportunity for us to grow our mentor network and learn from some of the most successful entrepreneurs and investors in the US”.
Edward Fagan of the BladeComp team, added, “The Techstars event was a fantastic opportunity to get feedback on what we’ve done so far, and advice on how to effectively take our venture forward.
“The experience, mentorship and guidance we received was more than we could have hoped for.”
Speaking at the event, Natalie Walsh Executive Director of LaunchPad at NUI Galway said,“It is always inspiring to work alongside early stage entrepreneurships but to work with TechStars in New York City and watch our start up teams flourish and grow through the supports provided has been amazing.”
LaunchPad, based on the NUI Galway campus, is an experiential entrepreneurial platform which is open to students, staff, and alumni.
It provides support for budding businesses, supplying coaching, information, and start-up creation support.
It also provides entrepreneurial training, holds community building events, and in the case of its student members, early stage funding.
LaunchPad at NUI Galway continues to globalise its programmes, resulting in bootcamps such as these, which provide start-ups with the opportunity to connect with founders, investors, and mentors from all over the world.
