b"BUSINESSANDEDUCATIONLEADERS ModeledonasimilarcompetitionatHarvardBusinessSchool, each teams pitch is assessed based on criteria ranging from marketFROMIRELANDANDTHEUSGATHEREDpotentialoftheideatothetasksandmilestonesrequiredfor implementation. Every job starts with an entrepreneur, saidBillATTHEGUINNESSENTERPRISECENTREMcKiernan, Chair of the judging panel and Founder of CyberSourceFORTHESECONDANNUALIRELAND Corporation. If we can encourage entrepreneurship in Ireland thenit can go some way to helping create jobs. By hosting a national FUNDSBUSINESSPLANCOMPETITION.business plan for young people and exposing them to people who haveSIX TEAMS FROM IRELAND AND NORTH- been successful entrepreneurs, we will try to give them some confi-dence in starting a business and assure them that its okay to fail.ERN IRELAND WERE SHORTLISTED FROMOllwynMoran,apost-graduatestudentatNUIMaynooth, won the 2013 Competition for Creeper Crawlers, a babysuit that aidsOVER60APPLICANTSTOPITCHTHEIR neurologicaldevelopmentinbabieswithgripsthatencourage INNOVATIVEBUSINESSPLANSTOA crawling, a crucial developmental stage for babies. Ms Moran tookhome the top prize of 10,000, with first and second runners-up PANEL OF ENTREPRENEURS, EXECUTIVES receivingprizemoneyof 5,000and 1,000respectively.In ANDINVESTORS.THECOMPETITIONIS addition, shortlisted teams completed a training programme thathelpedthemtodeveloptheirbusinessplansandtocreate FUNDEDBYAPHILANTHROPICGIFT a competitive pitch. Sponsored by Bank of Ireland, with additionalsupportfromtheGuinnessEnterpriseCentre,thetraining FROM AMERICAN IRELAND FUND BOARDprogramme was delivered by the DCU Ryan Academy, which was DIRECTOR BILL MCKIERNAN. established to promote an entrepreneurial mindset and innovationfocusamongexistingIrishbusinessesandstart-upsthrough training, supports and finance. The Ireland Funds Business PlanCompetitionisallaboutsupportingtheplanningprocessand promoting confidence among the finalist teams, said Alan Foy ofBlueface, one of the judges. We look forward to supporting [theteams], giving them feedback and a network to connect with on theentrepreneurial journey. Networks of advice are vital.Worldwide Ireland Funds President and CEO, Kieran McLoughlinI burst into tears because I was so said, Through The Ireland Funds' Business Plan Competition wehope to support this next generation of entrepreneurs by helpingoverwhelmed. To have 12 people them develop the skills required to succeed in business.endorse you after working on a Announcing the winner, Bill McKiernan said, The judging panelwas so impressed with the high quality of business plans and pitchesproduct you believe in is amazing.fromacrossIreland.Icongratulateallofthefinalistsfor developing such innovative and compelling business plans, and thank Ollwyn Moran, 2013 Ireland Funds them for the role they will play as Irelands next generation of businessBusiness Plan Competition Winner leaders.OtherjudgesincludedJohnRyan,co-founderofRovi Corporation(formerlyMacroVision);PhilipSharpeofDanu Technologies,Marie OConnor of PwC, Michael Culligan of HaloBusiness Angel Partnership and Fergal Mullen of Highland CapitalPartners. connect2013 | 19"