“THE BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION HELPED US GREATLY IN UNDERSTANDING THAT, WHILE WE MIGHT HAVE A BRILLIANT PRODUCT, IT IS OUR MARKETING STRATEGY THAT WILL BE KEY TO ANY FUTURE SUCCESS. THE MENTOR- SHIP AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES PROVIDED BY BOTH THE IRELAND FUNDS AND NDRC IS SECOND TO NONE AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE ANY EARLY STAGE START-UPS TO CONSIDER APPLYING FOR NEXT YEAR’S COMPETITION WHEN THE TIME COMES.” — Paul Allan of Aurius connect 2018 • 46 THE IRELAND FUNDS BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION Photos: Sean Curtis