TWELVE of the north's most creative thinkers have won their place in the finals of Northern Ireland Science Park's latest INVENT competition.
The entrepreneurs were whittled down at a 'quick pitch' where each was given three minutes to make their case for a final spot.
Those that made it through now have a place on a tech mission to California and will compete for a share of a 33,000 prize fund.
They'll also take part in the six month Connect programme at the science park offering mentoring, networking and business development.
Competition organiser Peter Edgar of the science park said: "QuickPitch is the semi-final stage of INVENT, which is all about telling the story of a breakthrough idea which has the potential to change an industry or solve a global problem which can make peoples lives better. Its fast and exciting.
Some highlights from last nights pitches included Dr Damien Coyle from Ulster University who showed off his wearable neurotechnology which translates brainwaves into control signals; Chirag Gujral of Queens University who has discovered a method of reducing the effects of eye diseases which cause blindness; and two north coast surfer brothers who took a life-long passion of chasing the perfect wave around the world before returning home to kickstart a bespoke surfboard company in Portrush.
Mr Edgar added: For many of our top 12, this was the first opportunity to reveal their innovations to the public for the first time, but, having secured their place, they are on a journey to creating a business which has global commercial potential. "
The finalists of INVENT 2015, sponsored by Bank of Ireland, are: NeuroCONCISE Medical; RE-VANA; Pingster; Repselfie; Reynolds Sports; Skunkworks; PicoPUF; Attach and Track; Cognition Video; Cardinal Analytics; EquiNutritive Equi-Liquid GOLD and NextGen Biopesticides.
Julie Ann OHare, director business banking at Bank of Ireland UK said: This was the best Quick Pitch yet. Last year we witnessed the benchmark being raised significantly and INVENT 2015 has taken it to even greater heights. I congratulate all 24 finalists on their excellent pitches and encourage them to stick with it. The evening was a testament to the innovation, ambition and commercial potential that exists within Northern Ireland. Bank of Ireland is proud to play a leading role in this.
The climax of the competition is the INVENT Awards on October 8 when more than 600 investors, entrepreneurs, executives, top research scientists, professional services leaders and elected officials will gather at Titanic Belfast to hear the announcement of the winners.
