b"Jordan Campbell, Bill McKiernan, Alexandra Milne, Padraic Brennan, Julie-Ann OHare Caitriona Fottrell, Stephen Henderson, Alexandra Milne, Sarah Dineen, Norma OMahony, Kieran McLoughlin Alexandra Milne won the top prize of 10,000 for her business Little Belfast so I know the quality of the engineering and business talent Deli, in The Ireland Funds Business Plan Competition, hosted by in Northern Ireland. It is great to see that talent showcased in thisNorthern Ireland Science Park (NISP) CONNECT in Belfast. Little competition.Deli is a solution that lets customers easily and efficiently pre-order The challenging training program delivered in May by Dublinand pre-pay for their lunch from local delis and cafes, at their own City University Ryan Academy and sponsored by Bank of Ireland convenience. The first and second runners-up were awarded money promotes an entrepreneurial mindset and innovation focus amongof 5,000 and 1,000 for their business ideas.existing Irish businesses and start-ups through training, supports andThe four finalists from Belfast, Dublin and Cork were among 15 finance.teams to complete a training program that helped them develop their Julie-Ann OHare, Director Business Banking, Bank of Irelandbusinessideasandcreateacompetitivepitch.ThefouryoungUK said: Bank of Ireland is committed to supporting the growth ofentrepreneurs then pitched their ideas to a judging panel of business Northern Ireland businesses. They are the life blood of our privateleaders, venture capitalists and entrepreneurs in the competition. sector. Bank of Ireland works in collaboration with many strategicTheWorldwideIrelandFundsPresidentandCEO,Kieran partners across and beyond Northern Ireland to encourage invest-McLoughlinsaid:ThroughTheIrelandFunds'BusinessPlanment in enterprise and support the young talent and entrepreneurialCompetition we provide exceptional early-stage entrepreneurs the spirit that we see here today. I am delighted to congratulate Alexandraopportunity to get advice on their business plans and pitching from from Little Deli as the overall winner and Stephen from Ruach Musicleading business executives, entrepreneurs and venture capitalists the 1st runner up who is also from Northern Ireland. Its a testamentfrom Northern Ireland and the US. We sawfour outstanding pitches to the business talent in Northern Ireland which should be nurturedfor exciting new businesses and we look forward to reading more and supported. about our finalists success. In addition to sponsoring the training program for short listedAnnouncing the winner, William S. McKiernan, founder of the teams, Bank of Ireland also provides a banking mentor to the winningCompetition and founder of CyberSource Corporation said: The team to provide advice and direction to the team as they work towardsjudging panel was very impressed with the high quality of business commercialising their plan.plans and pitches. I warmly congratulate all of the finalists and participants in this years Business Plan Competition. Im especiallypleased with the participation from Northern Ireland this year. I aman investor in Northern Ireland and currently chairman of BitnetTechnologies. At Bitnet, all our product development is done inconnect2014 | 13"