11/11/2010

Firms Win InterTradeIreland Competition

Two NI firms have excelled in what is the largest business competition on the island of Ireland - Seedcorn 2010.

Run by InterTradeIreland, the organisation that supports small and medium-sized businesses across Ireland for better North/South trade and business development, it offers a total prize fund of €280,000.

The NI regional winner in the Best Emerging Company category has today been revealed as Portstewart-based instaGiv.

LamhRoe Ltd - which is based in the Northern Ireland Science Park - took home the Best High Growth Company title. The competition judge was Conall Lavery, of the Ascen Trust (pictured left by Darryl Mooney) and shown with Mark Kelly and Barry Lunn from LamhRoe.

As regional finalists, both firms receive a prize of €20,000 and now proceed to the all-island finals to be held in Belfast on 24th November.

Established in April 2009, LamhRoe Ltd develops leading edge Microwave/mmWave sensors and communications sub systems for the space, security and medical markets.

In particular, its technology can be applied in the security sector where microwave/Radar fences are used as an important part of Perimeter Intrusion Detection.

The company has set it sights on international growth and intends to extend into Europe, Asia and the US with its product, which is more cost effective than competing products.

At the all-island final later this month, LamhRoe will compete against other regional winners from Munster, Connaught & Leinster and Dublin for the overall €100,000 prize in the Best High Growth Company category.

The other winner, instaGiv was founded in November 2009 by Michael Carlin who returned to Ireland three years ago after a 20-year financial services career in Belgium, France, Hong Kong, India and the US.

He spotted a gap in the market for his product instaGiv which uses mobile technologies and social media to help charities maximise the potential of fundraising and donor interaction. What makes instaGiv different is that they have leveraged the text message mechanism in a new way to give charities the tools to enable spontaneous fundraising donations without the need for cash or credit card as well as the infrastructure to build successful and sustained campaigns.

As a regional finalist, instaGiv could now go on to win €50,000 as the Best Emerging Company on the island.

Liam Nellis, Chief Executive of InterTradeIreland said: "We have been truly impressed by the calibre of the companies shortlisted for this year’s final.

"There is a wealth of innovative product and service development happening across the island of Ireland and we are delighted to be able to award these regional winners €20,000 each to assist in their enhancement and development.

"LamhRoe Ltd and instaGiv are worthy Northern Ireland winners making innovative advancements in their respective sectors."

(BMcC/GK)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

03 April 2024
New Funding Announced To Promote NI's Quality Regional Food
A new funding programme has been announced to promote quality regional food from across Northern Ireland, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir has announced. The 2024/25 Northern Ireland Regional Food Programme (NIRFP) provides support of £170,000 to help raise the profile of quality regional food.
29 January 2024
The Ultimate Guide To Bingo Halls In Northern Ireland
Bingo, a game that has been a staple in Northern Ireland's entertainment scene for decades, continues to capture the hearts of enthusiasts across the region. In recent years, there has been a notable rise in bingo hall attendances, and some attribute this surge to the growing popularity and accessibility of bingo sites.
31 July 2012
George Best's Former Home To Be Let Out To Tourists
The childhood home of Northern Ireland's most famous footballing son has been sold and will become a guest house. Visitors will be able to sleep in the small Cregagh bedroom where Best spent his childhood days.
20 December 2001
First visits for Employment and Learning Minister
Carmel Hanna has undertaken her first official engagements as the new Minister for Employment and Learning. The Minister visited Lisburn JobCentre where she met with both staff and users of the extensive array of onsite services.
15 November 2011
NI Firm Signs Global 'Mobile Software' Deal
A Portstewart-based company that won the Northern Ireland 'Best Emerging Company' category in the 2010 InterTrade Ireland business competition, has signed a major partnership agreement with Nasdaq-listed Blackbaud.