Magda Rzepkowska, Dublin, was winner of the ‘One to Watch Award 2019’ at Enterprise Ireland’s New Frontiers National Networking event which took place recently. The startup entrepreneur was voted the overall winner of a pitching competition by more than 150 graduates of the New Frontiers business development programme attending the event.
Waste free/tank free urinal for construction sector
Twelve entrepreneurs pitched their startup business ideas during the competition, which was sponsored by AIB with an overall prize of €5,000. Rzepkowska is originally from Poland and is CEO and Founder of Beta Inventions Lt, which has developed WallPee, a waste free/tank free urinal for the construction sector and beyond.
From Donegal to Kerry and Galway to Dublin, New Frontiers is a national entrepreneur development programme delivered in two phases at local level by institutes of technology at 14 locations around Ireland. The programme is funded by the government through Enterprise Ireland.
2018 was another record year for New Frontiers with almost 500 individuals taking part in Phase 1 of the programme and 171 entrepreneurs moving into Phase 2.
Providing a comprehensive set of business development supports, funding and networking opportunities, the programme offers expert advice, training and mentoring to people with innovative business ideas and is an important pipeline for the Local Enterprise Offices and Enterprise Ireland’s High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) division.
Mark Christal, manager, regions and entrepreneurship, Enterprise Ireland, said: “The New Frontiers programme was launched in 2012 with the aim of accelerating the development of sustainable new businesses that have strong employment and growth potential, particularly in regional locations.
'From cleantech and food products to digital media and medical devices'
"Since then, over 3,000 New Frontiers participants have received intensive support to develop their start-up ideas. Sectors range from cleantech and food products to digital media and medical devices, with many entrepreneurs going on to develop award-winning businesses to match their global ambition.
“The ‘One to Watch Award 2019’ winner, Magda Rzepkowska, is one of the many high calibre graduates who were carefully selected to participate on the New Frontiers programme and I wish her every success in developing and growing her business in the future.”
Catherine Moroney, head of business banking, AIB, said: “I was very impressed with the strong line up of new businesses at the event, with excellent pitches from the selected graduates competing for the New Frontiers ‘One to Watch Award’.
"It is encouraging to witness such focus and ambition from the entrepreneurs and to see them taking the opportunity to engage with each other in such a positive way. It takes them out of their own sphere and affords them the business opportunities that networking with others can spark.”
For further information on the New Frontiers programme, go to
www.newfrontiers.ie