b'THE WINNER: SIGNAL OPTIMISER SIGNALOPTIMISER,ledbyQueensUniversityBelfaststudent Lewis Twaddle Loane, won the top prize of 15,000 for their product, a plug-and-play device, connecting seamlessly with any musical instrument to continuously deliver 100% of the sound. Described by the worlds ocial number one music retailer as a game changer, their innovative solution incorporatesnewtechnologytoeliminatesignallossandtransformthe SIGNAL OPTIMISER quality of music.Second runner up this year was OPINIONX. Dublin City University students, Daniel Kyne and Darragh OFlaherty, were awarded 7,000 for their product,For gorgeous getawa sa hybrid survey platform for engaging large groups online to gather feedback, crowdsource ideas and discover new insights about a population. Bringing together the richness of a focus group with the simplicity of an online survey, OpinionX turns a noisy crowd of opinions into a single understandable voice. Third runner up was SAFETY FREELANCER, the worlds rst outsourcingIrelands Blue Book is a collection of Irish country house hotels,platform exclusively for health and safety professionals and the rst to oermanor houses, castles and restaurants. freelancing, contracting and full-time employment opportunities. It provides a marketplace for businesses and experts to connect and collaborate on aLocated throughout the island of Ireland these charmingglobal stage, reducing costs, increasing eciency, and making workplaceand stylish hideaways are perfect for your holiday in Ireland.safety more accessible.For your free copy of the Irelands Blue Book guide, please email your postal address to mail@irelandsbluebook.comA SPECIAL FOCUS ON MENTAL HEALTHwww.irelandsbluebook.com / T +353 1 676 9914The Ireland Funds partnered once again with St Patricks Mental Health Services (SPMHS) to award a prize of 3,000 to kick start a mental health focussed business plan.KEEPAPPY scooped the prize for their wellness app on a mission to make mental health tools accessible for all. With 10 psychologist approved wellness tools, KeepAppy is currently active in over 100 countries and is empowering consumers and employees to take control of their mental health and wellbeing daily.OrlaGogarty,DirectorofDigitalHealthatSPMHS,said:SPMHSis delighted once again to partner with The Ireland Funds and NDRC on The Ireland Funds Business Plan Competition. This competition is particularly important at this challenging time when entrepreneurs and start-ups need our support perhaps more than ever. We are witnessing a quiet revolution in how the innovative use of technology can play a critical role in helping us all stay connected with our work, health services and social support networks, even when we cannot be together in person. The BPC similarly focuses on how the creative, collaborative development and use of technology can do good for society. We have been greatly impressed with the quality of the teams and are delighted that the Mental Health Innovation Award has gone to KeepAppy.connect 202046'