Mayo start-ups encouraged to pitch for new business competition

A special competition for the Mayo business community which comes with €30,000 in prize money have been launched to celebrate ten years of the Mayo Business Awards.

The Mayo Emerging Business Pitch Competition is a special initiative for 2025, which has an incredible €30,000 in prize money, is designed to spotlight and support innovative businesses that are tackling real-world challenges.

The competition is open to business ventures across all sectors and seeks to identify and empower businesses with the potential to make a demonstrable impact, whether social, environmental, economic, or technological.

Applications are invited from startups and early-stage businesses that could significantly benefit from financial support at the early stages of their business journey. While all business types are eligible, Mayo Business Awards are particularly interested in those that are demonstrating innovation in product, service, or delivery; that are addressing a pressing societal or environmental challenge; and that have a clear plan for sustainable growth and measurable impact.

Depending on the number of entries, it is intended that approximately seven entrants will be shortlisted and invited to make a pitch to a judging panel. These businesses will be invited to present a compelling pitch that includes: A clear description of the business or initiative; The challenge it addresses and the impact it aims to achieve; A breakdown of how any prize money would be used to accelerate or scale the business.

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The judges will be looking for businesses that demonstrate innovation and originality, market potential, team capability and the impact of the product or service.

Details on how to enter can be found at https://mayobusinessawards.com/pitch-competition.

The closing date for entries is Friday, September 26.