Browsing Tag

pr

Featured In the Media Love

IdeasLab name ICTUS Medical and IRIS as Start100 winners for 2022

July 12, 2022

Celebrating student entrepreneurs Start100 showcase allows students to pitch investible ideas and innovations

 IdeasLab, the entrepreneurial and innovation hub at NUI Galway, has announced as the inaugural Start100 winners for 2022.

ICTUS Medical and IRIS were crowned the winners of the inaugural Start100 programme from NUI Galway’s IdeasLab.

ICTUS Medical received the overall award for Start100, with IRIS receiving the One to Watch award.

Nine teams of students presented at a special showcase event bringing their innovative ideas to a panel of judges from the worlds of academia, research, industry and enterprise after an intensive six-week programme hosted by IdeasLab.

IdeasLab launched their new student incubator programme, Start100 earlier this year. Start100 helps students with an early-stage concept to transform their ideas into potentially investible innovations.

The Start100 programme provides physical space, key networking opportunities, expert mentorship from alumni and enterprise, as well as a support fund of over €40,000. Students have access to funds to research and develop their idea throughout the programme, and have the chance to win a final event prize fund.

ICTUS Medical is spearheaded by Peter Best-Lydon, a Galway native and recent Biomedical Engineering graduate, and Ciarán McDermott, a final year student in Electronic Engineering. They are developing a painless monitoring device that empowers stroke survivors to take control of their health by detecting sleeping strokes.

“We are absolutely delighted to win. Start100 has been a massive help to us with all of the connections that we have made,” Peter Best-Lydon said. “There is a buzz every week in IdeasLab and it was great to get a sense of working in a start-up. We are really looking forward to making a significant impact to the patient.’’

The One to Watch prize was awarded to IRIS, which was co-founded by Keelan Rowley and Michael Dillon, both recent graduates of NUI Galway’s BSc in Project and Construction Management.

IRIS is a safety device that helps detect the presence of people and animals from machinery like Tractors, Diggers, Dumpers. A cost-effective device that saves lives and families. Winning this award will allow Michael and Keelan to focus on prototyping and validating their idea.

President of NUI Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh launched the showcase event.

“At NUI Galway, our values – respect, openness, excellence and sustainability – are what define us and more importantly we strive to see them become not just words but actions and deeds. Supporting students on a journey of societal impact through enterprising ideas is part of that mission for the public good. It’s a great encouragement to see young people finding solutions to problems through innovation, ideas and solutions and also to see them being supported in that journey by our educators, our university community, and our civic and business networks,” Professor Ó hÓgartaigh said.

The difficult decision of selecting the most investable idea was made by a diverse judging panel representing some of Irelands best and brightest entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and academics. The panel for the final showcase included: Dr Helen McBreen, Partner Atlantic Bridge; Professor Michelle Millar, Dean of Students at NUI Galway; Dr Paul Dodd, Vice President Engagement, NUI Galway; Dr Vanessa Creaven Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Spotlight Oral Care; and Finn Hegarty, Co-Founder and Chief Procurement Officer at GloFox. 

Dr Natalie Walsh, Director of Entrepreneurial Development at NUI Galway, said: “In recent years, we have seen some fantastic student entrepreneurs create global businesses in the west of Ireland.  Through Start100 we now have a platform to support more students to achieve this type of success through the creation of commercial and social enterprises. Start100 is the first student incubator to launch in the University, designed with former and current students, our alumni and enterprise partners, we are incredibly proud to see Start100 come to life on our campus.”

A summary of nine projects showcased at the event included:

I Said Speak – An information awareness video that delves into Ireland’s drink culture among students

Receipt Relay – A customer insights software for retail and hospitality chains using point of sale and consumer app integrations

IRIS – A safety device that helps detect the presence of people and animals from farm machinery – saving lives and families

Matán Marketing – Digital marketing for gyms

Scrunch-UP – An anti-spike scrunchie for university students

ThoughtGarden – Self-administered CBT mobile game to reduce anxiety and depression

DataPals.io – A data-driven e-commerce agency that builds and optimises high-performance Shopify stores

Struts.app – An application that facilitates the remote capture of patient’s foot scan data using just a smart phone

ICTUS Medical – A painless monitoring device that empowers stroke survivors to take control of their health by detecting sleeping strokes

For more information check out

http://www.nuigalway.ie/Ideaslab

Or follow IdeasLab on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/nui-galway-ideaslab/

Twitter:https://twitter.com/IdeasLabNUIG

Instagram @IdeasLabNUIG

Ends


About IdeasLab

IdeasLab at NUI Galway is an open collaborative environment for the campus community to explore and accelerate ideas.  Programmes are open to all students from any year or course. Whether meeting new people, developing skills, working to solve global challenges or setting up a business is your aim, IdeasLab is the place to start.

Start100 is funded by the Human Capital Initiative (Government of Ireland) and the European Institute of Technology HEI Initiative.

Start100 Media

Quotes

Helen McBreen – Judge from Atlantic Bridge – Quote on all Start100 presentations

Through Start100 the student teams gained the experience and tools needed to build a business and that came across in spades in their presentations. The passion that came across in all of the presentations was huge. The friends that the student teams have built by engaging with one another and networking is fantastic. The impact of all of the ideas was impressive, every team spoke about huge problems in their target markets and spoke with passion, like most entrepreneurs do. The Start100 teams had a great understanding of the problems in their target markets and the need to solve them. 

Helen McBreen quote on One to watch – IRIS

IRIS were our One to Watch in terms of the impact, the passion of their presentation, the teamwork involved throughout and the transformation from week one to week six of Start100

Helen McBreen quote on Overall Winners – ICTUS Medical

There is a huge market ahead for this winning team and their technology around stroke detection. It is very early days and there is a lot of road to go, there is going to be a lot of head winds, a lot of tail winds and challenges but this team clearly presented and demonstrated how they progressed over the 6 week Start100 programme. ICTUS Medical presented a clear plan for the years ahead and the work that they will have to do to bring their technology into the stroke market was very impressive.

Vanessa Creaven – Spotlight Oral Care – Judge – On both winning teams

In the overall competition the winning team really stood out in terms of their passion and ingenuity. ICTUS Medical have a huge opportunity to make a real difference on an individual patient level but also on the healthcare service as a whole.  They presented a very structured and thoughtful plan and were seriously impressive Start100 participants. Both ICTUS Medical, as overall winners and ‘One to Watch’ IRIS were really patient focussed and would make a huge difference to the quality of life of patients.

President of NUI Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh on Start100

At NUI Galway, our values – respect, openness, excellence and sustainability – are what define us and more importantly we strive to see them become not just words but actions and deeds. Supporting students on a journey of societal impact through enterprising ideas is part of that mission for the public good. It’s a great encouragement to see young people finding solutions to problems through innovation, ideas and solutions and also to see them being supported in that journey by our educators, our university community, and our civic and business networks

Natalie Walsh IdeasLab quote on Start100

In recent years, we have seen some fantastic student entrepreneurs create global businesses in the west of Ireland.  Through Start100 we now have a platform to support more students to achieve this type of success through the creation of commercial and social enterprises. Start100 is the first student incubator to launch in the University, designed with former and current students, our alumni and enterprise partners, we are incredibly proud to see Start100 come to life on our campus.

Peter Best-Lydon of overall winning team ICTUS Medical

Absolutely delighted to win. Start100 has been a massive help to us with all of the connections that we have made. There is a buzz every week in IdeasLab and it was great to get a sense of working in a start-up. We are really looking forward to making a significant impact to the patient.

IRIS – One to Watch

Michael Dillon

Start100 was a great programme. We really learned a lot and the lecturers that came in provided us with great insider information and helped us plan how we will expand our business. This prize really means a lot and will help us towards prototyping and field testing our design.

Keelan Rowley

Start100 has been critical in the development of our product. From the very beginning we were mentored throughout the entire process of the 6 week programme. We had brilliant tutors and lecturers. Winning this prize will be very important for our prototyping and validating the solution we have developed.

Featured In the Media Love

Laughing all the way to The Kings Head

July 12, 2022

The biggest laughs in the littlest room

The most intimate Festival comedy at its best will happen at The Kings Head this July! The Kings Head has been a venue for lunchtime Comedy during GIAF for over 25 years. This July you can catch some of Ireland’s best Comedians up close and personal in the intimate surrounds of The Ruby Room on the top floor of the 800-year-old Kings Head.

For many it’s a Festival within a Festival, with a different line up each day, it’s a rare chance to catch these stadium style comics in such an intimate setting. All this under the tutelage of host and MC Gerry Mallon.

No pre planning or booking, The Laughter Loft at the Ruby Room for Galway International Arts Festival is what Galway festivals are all about. Spontaneity and fun.

Enjoy the comedy styling of top acts including Foil Arms and Hog, Deirdre O’Kane, Neil Delamere, Emma Doran, Colm O’Regan, Martin ‘Beanz’ Warde, Sinéad Quinlan, Shrinidhi Kalwad and many more. Shows take place daily from Monday 11th to Sunday 24th July. Doors open at 12:30pm with all shows starting at 1pm.

There is no pre booking, first come first served with Tickets available on the door only. For all things The Kings Head check out www.thekingshead.ie, www.giaf.ie or get social @TheKingsHead.

-ends-

Here is the Full Laughter Loft Lineup:

Monday July 11th: Karl Spain

Tuesday July 12th: John Colleary

Wednesday July 13th: Foil Arms and Hog , 2 shows 1pm and 3pm .

Thursday July 14th: Foil Arms and Hog , 2 shows, 1pm and 3pm .

Friday July 15th: Joe Rooney

Saturday July 16th: Emma Doran and Shrinidi Kalwad

Sunday July 17th: Patrick McDonnell

Monday July 18th: Kevin Gildea.

Tuesday July 19th: Neil Delamere

Wednesday July 20th: Danny O Brien,

Thursday July 21st: Sinead Quinlan and Ian Burke.

Friday July 22nd: Colm O Regan.

Saturday July 23rd: Martin ‘ Beanz ‘ Warde and Paul David Murphy.

Sunday July 24th: Deirdre O Kane

Featured In the Media Love

BLUE TEAPOT SHINE A LIGHT ON DEBUT PLAYWRIGHT WITH

July 12, 2022

INTO THE DARK WOODS

The award-winning Blue Teapot Theatre Company makes a welcome return to the stage this September with the world premiere of ‘Into The Dark Woods’ at Galway’s Black Box Theatre. Written by debut playwright Charlene Kelly, Into The Dark Woods is a story told through the lens of intellectual disability, drawing on archetypes found in fairytale and nature and features an inclusive cast.

Blue Teapot have worked towards a strategic ambition to stage a theatre production written by an artist from within the company. Charlene Kelly’s play emerged from a series of creative writing initiatives with dramaturg Eileen Gibbons, leading to collaboration with the Abbey Theatre, Ireland’s national theatre, as co-producer.

Directed by Petal Pilley, the play tells the story of a Prince tired of being controlled by his father. Heartbroken he runs away, into the woods. Cold and alone he calls out for help. A girl, also lost, is charmed into leaving a safe and familiar path. Hunted by darkness, their way out is uncertain.

Into The Dark Woods runs from Wednesday 14th until Saturday 17 September in the Black Box Theatre, Galway at 8pm with additional day time shows on Friday 16 September at 11am and Saturday 17 September at 3pm.  The show is suitable for adults and children aged 10+ years.

A Galway 2020 European Capital of Culture Commission. Tickets for Into The Dark Woods are available online via www.tht.ie and from Town Hall Theatre Box Office 091 569777. For more on the company visit http://blueteapot.ie/

Featured In the Media Love

Slow Cabins®  launches its first off grid cabin experiences at ‘secret’ Irish locations

July 12, 2022

The eco hospitality brand invites you to take a digital detox & escape hectic working life for a few days

Post pandemic, we have rediscovered the charm and benefits of nature in our own country. Slow Cabins have been recognising the need to slow down since 2017 and is now launching its first locations in Ireland to cater for growing demand.

The company designs and places off grid cabins at secluded secret locations in nature, all within a 2.5 hour drive of major European city hubs. The concept revolves around an eco-friendly ‘low impact’ stay at a secret location not too far from home. Take a break without (choice) stress, complexity and long travel times. The escape, designed for 1-2 people encourages full attention on living ‘the slow life’.

This summer, from August 1st, Slow Cabin’s first secret Irish location will launch with bookings now open. So, the question that everyone wonders? Where am I going?! Clients book without knowing the exact location of the cabin, letting the company take the ‘stress of the choice’ out of your hands. Then within two weeks of the trip, you’re provided with coordinates of the exact cabin location . Even when you arrive, you’ll park a short distance away and hike to discover your cabin, so come prepared!

So what can you expect? The cabins are sustainable by necessity, and encourage time to reconnect with each other and with the environment around you. Each Slow Cabin brings the outside in, equipped with a queen size bed and crisp white linen. There’s also a large log burner to keep you warm and cosy on rainy Irish days. This is all framed by large panoramic windows for full contact with the great outdoors. They’re each clad in shou sugi ban (Japanese charred wood) cladding, helping the cabins nestle neatly into their environment. Outside when the sun is shining, expect beautiful countryside, private space for a fire pit and grill and seats to watch the world go by.

“Recent European studies show that our resilience improves and stress levels decrease by up to 70% after a stay in nature. Getting away from it all brings peace, energy and a sense of perspective. And that’s where Slow Cabins have an interesting role to play in a fast ‘always-on’ society”, says Slow Cabins Ireland Director, Matthew Parkinson.

It is the complete return to nature, off grid living and to the simple draws of our physiology. Nature is healing. Moving away from the rush and fast pace of everyday life so you can completely switch off. This could be through hiking, cycling or enjoying some superb local food. On your stay you’re equipped with everything you need and nothing you don’t.

Slow Cabins are powered by nature’s resources-  through sunlight and water. When you arrive, you’ll have a charged battery, as well as a full tank of filtered rainwater. This allows you to live simply and self-sufficiently and with minimal impact. This is intentional and  comes back to their model of regenerative eco-hospitality. The goal –  to help sustain and improve a place through giving  back to local biodiversity projects at a host site. Slow Cabins even provide tips on how to manage your energy throughout and after your stay. It can take a little bit of a mindset shift but totally worth it! 

There is strict quality criteria in identifying and selecting a site for cabins. This includes a thorough impact assessment to ensure they’re working with the environment rather than against it. There will only ever be a few Slow Cabins at any given location. This ensures peacefulness and privacy for guests and respect for nature. Once there, guests will also receive all kinds of insider tips about the area to enjoy the locality as it is and should be.  A guilt free, thoughtful, stay in nature. 

(Slow Cabins Ireland have opened their bookings for 2022)

For more information check out www.slowcabins.ie.

Featured In the Media Love


A Raven’ Street Feast for Galways westend

July 12, 2022

August Bank Holiday Weekend return for community based get together

The Galways westend Street Feastival is back on Sunday 31st July on Ravens Terrace. The fifth Westend Street Feastival is resuming after a short break* of two years and the ethos and the vibe is that of community, great local food and enjoying time together.

The area which is known for its food, nightlife and café culture is pulling out all the stops with a stellar food and drinks line up as well live music with the addition of a family face painting station.

Ravens Terrace will be pedestrianised from 12 noon and will be transformed into an outdoor dining plaza. The neighbourhood’s commitment to green is to the fore of the festival with a partnership with Walsh Waste ensuring that there is no trace and that all waste created is recycled and composted correctly.

Bring your appetite as the food vendor line up includes, Botown Burgers, Hooked on Henry Street, Murphys Ice Cream, Alainn, Space Cowboys Tacos, Handsome Burger, Ember Firehouse, An Tobar Nua, Tartare, Danny Donuts and Sweet Dreams confectionery. Drinks and the rest will be available from the Salthouse, McGuire’s Daybreak and Gourmet Tart.

The Street Feastival will run from 12 noon until 6pm and is weather dependent of course, it is wheelchair accessible and there will be live music happening throughout the day.

For all things Galways westend check out www.galwayswestend.ie and of course on Social channels.

Featured In the Media Love

MACNAS BRASS AND WIND WORKSHOPS

June 27, 2022

Macnas are starting a spectacle music troupe lead by Matthew Berrill, brass/wind musical wizard!  If you are a  brass/wind musician who has an interest in improvisation, experimental sounds, performance, and play and is excited about being part of outdoor spectacular events then come join their weekly workshops happening in September 2022.

Brass has been an integral soundscape within  Macnas’ epic works over the last decade and as part of their ongoing artistic program they are excited to work with the next generation of musicians for spectacle Theatre.

Open to musicians 14 – 20yrs

How to get involved:

Email victoria@macnas.com with an expression of interest, let us know what instrument you play and how many years you are playing. There is more info here https://www.macnas.com/works/macnas-spectacle-youth-theatre.