b'Modeled on a similar competition at Harvard Business School,Below: the judging panel reviewed the merit of each individual proposal at The Ireland Funds Business Plan Competition The Ireland Funds Business Plan Competition requires teamsto pitch their business plans before a panel of distinguishedentrepreneurs and executives. Business plans were assessedbased on criteria ranging from market potential of the idea tothe tasks and milestones required for implementation.Lukas Decker from University College Dublin was thewinner with his business plan that introduced Coindrum, an innovative plan to exchange unwanted loose coins from airlinetravelersinexchangeforvouchersthatcanbe redeemed at duty-free shops. Mr. Decker took home the topprize of 10,000, with first and second runners-up receivingprize money of 5,000 and 1,000, respectively. In addition,teams selected to represent their universities were able tocomplete a masterclass in pitching, delivered by the DCU RyanAcademy,whichwasestablishedtopromotean entrepreneurialmindsetandinnovationfocusamong existing Irish businesses and start-ups through training, supports, and finance.Announcing the winner, William S. McKiernan, chair ofthe judging panel and founder of CyberSource Corporationsaid, The judging panel was so impressed with the high qual-ity of business plans and pitches from all nine universities. I congratulate all of the finalists for developing such innovativeand compelling business plans and thank them for the role theywill play as Irelands next generation of business leaders. Winning this competition is a milestoneWorldwideIrelandFundsPresidentandCEOKieranMcLoughlin said, Through The Ireland Funds Business Planfor Coindrumnot only due to the financeCompetitionwehopetosupportthisnextgenerationof entrepreneurs by helping them develop the skills required toraised, but also in terms of the learning succeed in business.experience and network gained throughout Other judges included Declan Ryan, Co-Founder of theOneFoundationandChairmanofIrelandiaAviation; the competition. Thanks to The Ireland Jerry Kennelly of Tweak.com; Anne OLeary of Kinematik;MartyMannionofSummitPartners;andMoyaDoherty Funds, we are now in a strong position ofTyroneProductions.BankofIrelandsponsoredthe competition event and will provide a banking mentor to theto take the next steps in bringing our Coindrumto provide advice and direction to Lukas as heinnovation to market.works towards commercializing his plan.To learn more about The Ireland Funds Business Plan Lukas Decker, winner of The Inaugural Ireland Funds Business Plan Competition Competition go to www.theirelandfunds.org/bpcconnect2012 | 49'