ApisProtect
The worldwide population of bees is rapidly approaching extinction. To fight that, Cork-based start-up ApisProtect was launched in early 2016. By installing a highly technological warning system in each bee hive, ApisProtect gathers valuable data that is later processed and translated with the use of machine learning techniques. Its founder, Dr. Fiona Edwards Murphy, claims that by providing beekeepers with this information as soon as possible, they are then able to give individual care to hives that are at risk of collapse before it’s too late. As of today, ApisProtect is already collecting data on over six million bees in hives from New Zealand, the United States and all over Europe. In late 2018 ApisProtect secured a seed investment of almost €2 Million in order to push their overseas expansion even further.

Cortechs
This innovative Irish firm set out to create a treatment for ADHD with computer-based systems. Just last year, Cortechs was part of a very small number of European start-ups to secure funding from the EU Horizon 2020. Cortechs launched its computer-based games software, CereBrill, with the aim of helping children with ADHD to improve their attention levels. The software also allows for an indirect connection between families and specialist doctors, who can recommend certain games based on the results they see. The company has raised over €1.5 Million in capital from several investors in recent years and is now running pilot sessions in partnership with Greek and Spanish academics in the Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona Children’s Hospital in Spain.

Aid:Tech
Aid:Tech started off in 2014 aiming to provide welfare and other types of aid through the use of blockchain. It makes use of the technology to tap into data that was previously inaccessible and then builds solutions for the less favoured population in many countries. In fact, Aid: Tech was the first firm ever to provide aid to Syrian refugees through blockchain.  The start-up has been so successful that it recently joined efforts with the Irish Red Cross to create an app for more transparent donations. Not only that, Aid:Tech was also named the 2018 Innovation of the Year winner by the Irish Times, as well as having received a multitude of prizes worldwide. As of today, Aid:Tech has received investments from multiple sources, most notably a €1 million joint investment from Enterprise Ireland and the Singaporean development authority SGInnovate.

Fleet
In simple terms, Fleet was founded with the aim of becoming to car rental what AirBnB is to holiday accommodation: a disruptor. Fleet is a peer-to-peer system in which users can rent cars from other users in the area for as long as they wish. Though still a small start-up compared to the previous examples, Fleet already has around 3,000 users in the Wicklow and Dublin area. It’s highly scalable potential secured investments from Enterprise Ireland through the High Potential Start Up (HPSU) program. Currently, Fleet is working to raise €285,000 in capital to continue the development of the app and allow for further expansion. While still unconfirmed, Fleet claims to have been in talks with KPMG to discuss a possible seed investment of €1