Start-ups whittled down to 10 for funding

From betting on the success of YouTube videos to analysing legal bills, the latest start-ups to take part in the National Digital Research Centre’s LaunchPad 9 programme defy easy classification.

More than 100 applicants applied to take part in the LaunchPad 9 programme but just 10 companies have received the €20,000 funding and will partake in a 12-week accelerator programme.

Director Gary Leyden said the common thread among the start-ups is that they were founded by experienced people looking to strike out on their own.

“As can be seen by the participants in the ninth iteration of NDRC LaunchPad, professionals who have already progressed in their careers and are looking to strike out on their own are particularly suited to taking part in the programme,” he said.

Among the companies set to receive funding are Tubett, an online game for betting on YouTube videos by buying and selling virtual video stocks; Legal Shine, a tool for large organisations to analyse their legal bills; and Akita, a real-time big data sales tool that makes recommendations to salespeople.

Journ.ie helps brands engage with their audience online in a timely manner; BookieWookie is an online environment for children; and Adyuka helps people save their searches.

Zilta simplifies smart devices such as phones and tablets to make them more user-friendly; GoBramble allows users to take a picture and identify any plant they see; and Meebler.com is a communications tool that allows a user to create and send a message in a single format once and have that message delivered consistently to recipients across a range of different media channels, tools, and formats.

Completing the list of 10 who will receive funding is Local Mint, which helps people find local shops’ opening hours.

Mr Leyden said: “With up to €20,000 in pre-seed investment per venture and access to NDRC’s team and network, the hard work really starts now for these start-ups to develop their products and business model over 12 weeks.”