Rhea Singhal

In modern society, entrepreneurs serve as catalysts for evolution, driving change through boundless creativity and innovation. They actively seek out opportunities within untapped markets, pioneering products, services, and initiatives. The impact of entrepreneurship extends beyond business; it can reshape perspectives and foster meaningful connections.  

Trinity Entrepreneurial Society’s Flagship event the “Dragons’ Den” competition encourages this very spirit of innovation. The event, held on 29^th February 2024, garnered over 250 attendees and also included an intermission pitching competition. The ‘Den’ boasted outstanding prizes up for grabs:

Inside the Den

The overwhelming number of entries are a testament to not only its popularity and continued success, but also to the resilience, creativity, and ambition of Irish innovators. At the event, finalists pitch their ideas to a panel of esteemed judges, “ dragons”,  who are leaders in the business community. The dragons this year were Heather Morris (MD, Founder Talent Accelerator at Dogpatch Labs), Orla Dunbar (Director at Deloitte Consulting), Keavy Ryan and Darren Nagle (Corporate and M & A partners at A & L Goodbody) and Conor Joyce (TES President). Mastering the art of pitching is an indispensable skill for every entrepreneur to be able to present a compelling and convincing case for their venture. It is a dynamic and strategic journey which is an eclectic mix of passion, clarity, and persuasion. 

This year’s contestants brought to the table a diverse array of concepts ranging from ways to simplify business to enhancing social media connections to early detection of life-changing diseases. They had to demonstrate, within a strict time limit, a suave ability for technical integration of their concept with data and convince the dragons that their idea was worth investing in. The pitches this year were exceptional in their data driven presentations highlighting meticulously researched strategies and astute business acumen. In the current business landscape, data serves as a cornerstone for credibility and provides concrete evidence of market potential and feasibility. 

The electric atmosphere and motivated pitchers set the stage for a riveting entrepreneurial battleground. The tension was palpable as the contestants faced the intense scrutiny and relentless questioning by the dragons.

Finalists included:

1. Saor Water: Saor was born with a clear vision- to challenge the status quo and redefine the way brands connect with people. They offer free recyclable, branded water at events and on the go. Their customers include Mercedes, Roots health foods etc. https://saorwater.ie/?trk=public_post-text
2. Kish: A digital receipt app which aimed at revolutionising receipt management and organisation. 
3. SkinAware: An AI based wellness app that aims to integrate personalised care insights to wellness. 
4. Peak Predict: An app that tracks every aspect of your fitness, catering to sports enthusiasts and athletes.
5. Tribe: Tribe is modernising the way people drink whiskey with the first of its kind canned whiskey cocktail in Ireland. https://lnkd.in/eEfVBH8S?trk=public_post-text
6. Rentilia: A service which proposes to be an intermediary for renting equipment. Contact rentiliaofficial@gmail.com
7. Neurosonic:  A smart device designed to aid in the prevention of strokes through early detection at home. https://www.neuro-sonic.com
8. Common Ground: An app enhancing social media connections fostering meaningful interactions in the digital sphere. 

NeuroSonic took the win, with Tribe and Saor Water securing second and third place respectively. While the winners went home with prizes, everyone from the competitors to the audience gained inspiration and insights into the nuances of pitching, the inherent obstacles faced by start-ups, and the indispensable art of navigating market forces.