“Week one of Propeller has seen everyone hit the ground running, it is great to meet all the teams and see the energy being put into their ideas, now there is a real sense of urgency that we are all here to get on with it and make the right things happen and no obstacles or excuses are in the way”  Brendan Casey SwiftQueue

The companies are;

Picturk.com enables camera clubs and companies run photography competitions online. The Picturk platform supports the existing network and community of amateur photographers worldwide.

“We’ve solved the operational problems of running photography competitions.  We’ve built an online service for clubs and groups that enables them to easily extend their activities online. We’ve made it really easy for amateur photographers to connect and compete.” – Paul Geraghty, Picturk

www.picturk.com/

Seoige Technology is a software development company. We specialise in Virtual world games across all platforms. We have created Savvybear.com a computer game that is great fun, ad free, 100% safe with some E-learning benefits for children under 12. The children can take up an Avatar character and dress them up, decorate their house, play games or just explore the world of Savvybear.com.

www.seoigetechnology.com/

Slattery Validation Systems design cloud based solutions for industrial and commercial refrigeration systems. Our solutions are designed to make refrigeration systems in supermarkets, factories and warehouses more energy efficient while also providing monitoring, alert and remote diagnostic functionality. Our software as a service business model coupled with our unique hardware result in an affordable, drop in solution for refrigeration systems all over the world.

www.slatteryvalidationsystems.com/

Style Cloud is a vibrant community of fashionistas, creating, organising and sharing their latest ‘Looks’ using a free virtual wardrobe in the Style Cloud social network.  Members upload photos of their clothing and mix and match ‘Looks’ in an intuitive interface. Shopping on Style Cloud is driven by a superior recommendation algorithm based on network data and the capability to save items from the shop to the virtual wardrobe offers members a chance to test out new items in their existing wardrobe before making a purchase. We even have an App to allow customers test out clothes they are perusing in the real world in their virtual wardrobe by facilitating convenient uploading from smartphone directly to virtual wardrobe. Tagging unwanted clothing as ‘Swap’ allows members virtually monetise unwanted items and fill in gaps in their wardrobe. All this as well as a popular blog and Street Style section make Style Cloud a great place to spend time and shop.

http://stylecloud.co.uk/

‘swiftQueue provides self service appointments for healthcare facilities, anytime & anywhere’

swiftQueue provide a SaaS cloud based solution for Healthcare Facilities e.g. GPs, Dentists, Primary Care Clinics & Hospitals, to make appointments available online allowing patients view and book their next visit. Using Online, Smart Phone, SMS and Call Centre swiftQueue provide access to the real time facility appointment information. This provides convenience to the patient while also providing a 24/7 shop window for healthcare facilities.

www.swiftQueue.com

VideoElephant is an online B2B marketplace in which to buy and sell both long and short-form video content.  VideoElephant enables professional content producers to sell their videos to web publishers, mobile operators, IPTV, VOD and broadcasters.  For buyers, we provide a centralized marketplace to cater for their video content requirements, alleviating the need for lengthy negotiations and contract exchanges.  For producers, we offer both the platform to sell their content online and the tools to market and promote it.

www.videoelephant.com/

The Propeller Venture Accelerator Programme, which has been ranked 7^th best in Europe in an independent study of accelerator programmes commissioned by the Kauffman Fellows Program, provides each of the chosen companies with a €30,000 seed investment, tailored and targeted mentoring and training, as well as three months incubation with free space and services, in total a package worth €45,000.

The programme was vastly oversubscribed, with a total of 137 applications submitted to the programme from over 20 countries including Ireland, Germany, Finland, USA, Australia, Iran, India, Israel, South Africa, Brazil, Rwanda and China.

The 6 companies selected for Propeller 2.0 are; Slattery Validation Systems, Pickturk, Seoige Technology, StyleCloud, SwiftQueue and VideoElephant. All are technology startups, with innovative ideas ranging from increasing energy efficiency in commercial refrigeration systems to enhancing distribution and sales channels for online video content producers.

The chosen companies will enter the Propeller Venture Accelerator offices in January 2012, and will be met by over 60 mentors whose invaluable experience will be used to advise and lead these companies on a path of success.

Terence Bowden, Venture Manager of the Programme said, “We are delighted with the huge level of interest shown in the Propeller Venture Accelerator programme from Ireland and all over the world because it highlights just how much this programme has to offer start-up companies and it’s a clear sign of the appetite for entrepreneurism and innovation in Ireland and abroad.

The standard of companies applying has been extremely high and we are confident that they have the good ideas and the good people needed to make their business a success.”

Speaking about being offered a place John Joyce, CEO, Seoige Technology “We are delighted to be selected for the DCU Ryan Academy Propeller Venture Accelerator.  One of the main attractions for us is the calibre of the business mentors/partners that are part of the program.

We feel that these people will bring a huge amount to our business and will be key in helping us to make our ideas a reality.”

The ethos of the DCU Ryan Academy is about putting us in front of the right people, whether venture capitalists or angel investors, who will help us in ways that would never have been possible if we were out on our own.”

The first year of the programme, which finished in April 2011, brought huge success for the six companies that took part. Operating in technology areas ranging from mobile applications to clean tech, online gaming, health informatics and internet applications, the startups are now in the process of closing seed funding deals totalling over €1 million. The companies, who each employed two people when starting the programme, have now created an additional 18 jobs since finishing the programme.

Details:

Dublin City FM – 103.2 fm

Show: Good Morning Dublin

Date: 02/12/11

Time: 10-11am

The Propeller Venture Accelerator aims to accelerate early development stage of technology start-up companies, both Irish and international, in Dublin. The Propeller Accelerator has taken the successful US accelerator model and adapted it to the Irish context. In early 2011 the Propeller Venture Accelerator became a charter member of the Techstars Network, only one of five outside of the US and only one of three in Europe.

The Propeller Venture Accelerator has an emphasis on software, Web 2.0, applications, informatics and cleantech start-ups. The accelerator programme is a mentor-led, three months incubation with free space and services and an additional €30,000 cash investment in each company.  This is in return for 6.5% equity stake.

The first Propeller Programme which started in February 2011 had an initial six companies – who were:

• Associate Mobile
• Fantom
• GreenEgg Technologies
• HealthComms
• Simple Lifeforms
• Vendorshop

This year the programme has received a total of 135 applications.  Aside from a healthy number of Irish start-ups, the programme has also received applications from 20 countries, including Germany, Finland, the US, Australia, Iran, India, Israel, South Africa, Brazil, Rwanda and China. It is no surprise that people from all around the globe are showing a huge interest in participating in this award winning accelerator, recently ranked 7th in Europe.

The chosen companies will enter the Propeller offices in January 2012 in Citywest, Dublin.  Waiting are over 60 mentors with a formidable amount of experience to help the companies on a path to success.

“The Propeller Venture Accelerator has been a great experience one that has truly accelerated our company by at least 2 years if not more in only 3 months.  With easy access to a number of experienced mentors we were able to achieve results so much faster.”

Tom Byrne, CTO & Founder, HealthComms

The application process will open again for Propeller 3.0 in the Spring of 2012.  Keep an eye on the Ryan Academy’s website.  

Propeller start-ups have access to and advice from mentors, which is a key part of the programme; the mentors are senior corporate executives as well as seasoned entrepreneurs in the technology area. Another benefit of the programme is the package of corporate and service support including marketing, accounting, legal and intellectual property advice.  Companies such as Sage, Arthur Cox (largest law firm in Ireland), Tomkins IP (intellectual Firm of the Year in 2010), Enterprise Ireland, Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (ISME), the HALO Business Angels Network, the Irish Technology Leadership Group and Arizona State University in the US have agreed to partner on the programme.

 The programme will last for nine months with people securing on-the-job work placements with some of Ireland’s leading employers, while also gaining a recognised qualification in the process.

 Of the 122 participants who took part in the inaugural year of the programme last year, over 55 per cent are now in fulltime employment.

 During the launch, Minister Bruton welcomed the work of the DCU Ryan Academy and met past and present course participants.

 Minister Bruton said:

 “The people I met today in many ways reflect the experiences of so many people across the country in recent years – well qualified, hard-working people who have been unfortunate enough to lose their jobs due to the collapse in the economy.

 “My hope is that the success of this Programme can be reflected across the country in the coming years. Through a combination of government support, the private sector, our educational institutions and above all the hard work and commitment of individuals, a large number of people in a short period of time have found employment again. There are many lessons for all of us here – for my part I am determined that government will keep its end of the bargain and work hard to get people into employment again”.

 Speaking about their expectations for the course, BIP participant Tom Cavanagh from Shankill Co Dublin said, “I am delighted to have obtained a place on the course. I feel like I am taking control of my situation and it’s a great feeling to be in a room with dozens of other people with the same goals for the future.

 I am looking forward to building on my own expertise, expanding my networks and giving myself an edge in a difficult job market, while gaining the confidence to change my career path and obtain a recognised qualification in the process.”

 Ann Horan, Chief Executive of the Academy, said, “We are delighted to have such a diverse group of participants with a wide range of skills and experience.

 Our aim over the next nine months is to work with this talented group of professionals and entrepreneurs to support them in unlocking their potential and ultimately, help them succeed in getting back into the workforce.” said Horan.

 The BIP nine-month programme is part of the Higher Education Authority’s Springboard Initiative and incorporates academic classes with an innovation team placement with one of 40 host companies. Following the huge success of the first year of the BIP, this year saw the course oversubscribed by over 100 per cent.

 Of the 126 current participants, 84 are men and 42 are women and while the majority are Irish, participants hail from all over the world, from as far away as Malawi and the United States.

 Collectively, the 126 participants in the course this year have 2,184 years of work experience.

 Over a third of participants, with an average age of 35-55, have been unemployed for over two years. Fifty four per cent of participants have been unemployed between 6 months and 2 years.

While the fund will be open to company promoters all over the world, the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation said it “will be targeted particularly at the Irish diaspora, international expatriates, the ‘new diaspora’ (people from overseas who have previously worked or studied in Ireland), as well as serial and mobile entrepreneurs”.

The fund, which will be administered by Enterprise Ireland, will target investor-ready projects seeking between €200,000 and €500,000. Its target geographies will include North America, the UK, Europe and Australia, while sectors will include internet, games, cloud computing, medtech and financial services.

Funding will be in the form of an equity stake taken by the State in the company.

The Department said Enterprise Ireland will be appointing a number of high profile, successful Irish entrepreneurs to act as international start-up ambassadors to help market the fund overseas.  Dylan Collins, who has founded a number of online gaming companies, is one of the first to accept the role of fund ambassador.

Collins described the fund as an excellent way to build on Ireland’s position as one of the leading start-up hubs in Europe. “If you’re in a start-up anywhere in the world which has international ambition, you need to come and talk to us right now,” he said.
“One key strand of our new industrial strategy will be to create a genuine indigenous engine of growth,” said Minister Bruton.

“As I have said before, our ambition must not only be to attract the next Google or Microsoft to Ireland, but we must also seek to grow the next Google or Microsoft in Ireland. Indigenous companies provide proportionally more than three times more benefit to the Irish economy than multinational companies.

“Today’s announcement is a direct intervention by government to create more start-up companies here. Across the world, many of the start-up companies which go on to succeed and create jobs are driven by people within a small class of mobile, innovative, serial entrepreneurs. What the Irish Government is saying very clearly today to the international technology community gathered in Dublin is – come and start your company in Ireland, we are open for business, and we will support you”.
‘The addition of the €10m fund provides a core offering around which the rest of our overseas entrepreneurship marketing and promotion efforts will be centred,” said Frank Ryan, Enterprise Ireland chief executive. “The attraction of overseas entrepreneurs to Ireland is an important opportunity to expand our start up activity and they will significantly add to the diversity and skill-base of the Irish start up community’.

The Propeller Venture Accelerator Programme, which has been ranked 7^th best in Europe in an independent study of accelerator programmes commissioned by the Kauffman Fellows Program, was established in 2010 with the aim of fast-tracking early stage Irish and international technology start-up companies in Dublin.  Each of the chosen companies receives €30,000 seed fund injection, tailored and targeted mentoring and training, as well as three months incubation with free space and services.

The chosen companies will enter the Propeller Venture Accelerator offices on 2 January 2012, and will be met by over 60 mentors whose invaluable experience will be used to advise and lead these companies on a path of success.

While recruitment of mentors continues, many well-known businesspeople are already involved, including Frank Hannigan – Chairman – Goshido, John Canacott – Serial Entrepreneur, Maurice Mason – Partner Irelandia Aviation and Liam Mullaney – Managing Director Sage. At the end of the three month programme, each company will pitch their business and products to potential investors from around the globe at a special ‘Demo Day’.

Terence Bowden, Venture Manager of the Programme said, “We are delighted with the huge level of interest shown from Ireland and all over the world because it highlights just how much this programme has to offer start-up companies and it’s a clear sign of the appetite for entrepreneurism and innovation in Ireland’.

‘Our aim here at the DCU Ryan Academy is to find good people with good ideas, and give them all the tools and support they need to take their ideas to market. Ireland is awash with entrepreneurs and we seek to help nurture and foster innovation.’

The first year of the programme, which finished in April 2011, brought huge success for the six companies that took part. Operating in technology areas ranging from mobile applications to clean tech, online gaming, health informatics and internet applications, the start-ups are now in the process of closing seed funding deals totally over €1 million. The companies, who include Associate Mobile, Fantom, GreenEgg Technologies, Healthcomms, Simple Lifeforms and VendorShopSocial, each employed two people when starting the programme, have now created an additional 18 jobs since finishing the programme.

Speaking about his experience, Tom Byrne, CEO and Founder of HealthComms said, “The Propeller Venture Accelerator has been a great experience and one that has truly accelerated our company by at least 2 years, if not more, in just 3 months. With easy access to a number of experienced mentors we were able to achieve results so much faster than if we had been on our own.”

Over 80 companies from all over the world including Iran, Israel, China, India, USA and a host of European countries have applied to this accelerator which is ranked 7^th in Europe.

We are busy recruiting top class Serial Entrepreneurs to help you build your product/service and business, to accelerate you as they mentor, guide and open doors which would normally take years to achieve. (Click here to see some of these great mentors)

After the chosen companies are accepted they will then enter the Propeller Offices here in Citywest where they will remain until demo day on the 6^th of April where they will have the opportunity to pitch to investors from not only Ireland but also Europe and America.

We would encourage potential applicants to apply NOW by sending an email to info@ryanacademy.dcu.ie stating that you would like to apply.  This is your chance to take your idea and make it into a reality! Time is running out!

Companies interested in participating should contact Aifric O’Malley (01) 700 6786 before 31^st October 2011.  We will follow up with a meeting to discuss what you would like to get done and make every effort to try to match your requirements with the skills of our course participants.

The DCU Ryan Academy is a joint venture between Dublin City University and the family of the late Tony Ryan, founder of Ryanair.  Our aim is to bridge the gap between academia and entrepreneurial practice in Ireland through training, support and funding for entrepreneurs. The students on our Business Innovation Programme are unemployed persons with a wide variety of professional and managerial backgrounds who are currently studying innovation, market and feasibility research, project management and consultancy skills.