connect 2019 • 34 “The Ireland Funds Business Plan competition was one of the most significant things I did while setting up Artfetch. Apart from the cash prize, which was very welcomed, what was most significant was how much I learned. I was able to refine my business proposition and pitch and I had the opportunity to present my ideas to real industry experts and successful business people, which was an invaluable experience.” Artfetch, a curated e-commerce platform for emerging contemporary art, was founded by Katie and Patricia Tsouros in 2012. Born out of a need for interested buyers to gain easy access to the work of emerging artists from around the world, and artists’ inability to meet this interested market, Artfetch sought to find the rising art stars of tomorrow while offering a curated experience to its users. Traditionally, art is sold via galleries to a limited number of geographically restricted buyers, but Artfetch aimed to make it simple for people to search for, find and buy emerging art online. The company sold its first piece within an hour of launching. In 2016 Artfetch was acquired by UK firm Rise Art and Katie joined the team there, where she led brand and marketing for two-and-a-half years. Katie recently left Rise Art and has just launched a new e-commerce business focussed on jewellery. THE IRELAND FUNDS BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION BLAINE DOYLE AND YENSI FLORES 2016 FIRST RUNNER-UP WITH GLOWDX “Being a finalist in The Ireland Fund’s Business Plan Competi- tion gave us fundamental feedback and credibility which we used to sharpen our investor readiness and ultimately propel us through the success we’ve been having." GlowDx aims to make life-saving diagnostics accessible to those in the emerging markets; ultimately improving clinical outcomes and reducing economic burden. They do this by putting a mo- lecular diagnostics laboratory into every innovative diagnostic cartridge they produce, enabling “Anywhere Diagnostics” from clinics to healthcare outposts; no laboratory needed. As of December 2018, GlowDx were 6 weeks from launching their clinical services platform, ChektAhora, into Latin America. Through this early route to market they aim to liberate women’s access to sexual health and women's health testing, while enabling them to build brand, revenue and hit specific commercial objectives. Recently GlowDx brought Rodrigo Cervantes on board as their VP of Marketing and Sales. Rodrigo previously held Director and General Manager positions at Abbott Molecular and Leica Biosystems respectively. Ahead of this launch GlowDx is closing a funding round and is currently 70% subscribed. KATIE TSOUROS 2013 FIRST RUNNER-UP WITH ARTFETCH