How to
Enter

Make sure your startup is 5 years old or less, has 30 employees or less, and is registered in the Republic of Ireland. It's not a requirement to be a customer of any particular financial institution. Any Irish startup can enter — there's no entry fee.

Select the categories that best represent your business — you can enter up to three categories per company. Make sure the categories you choose are genuinely relevant, as judges assess fit as part of the evaluation. Review all 13 categories before applying.

Fill in the online application form. You'll be asked about your innovation, business model, customer value proposition, scalability, and social impact. Written or video submissions are accepted. Budget around 30 minutes per category.

All submissions are reviewed by our judging panels. Standout entries are selected for the Regional Shortlist across four regions: Dublin, Munster, Connacht and Ulster, and Rest of Leinster.

Regional shortlists are merged and judged again to produce the National Shortlist. National shortlisted companies are invited to pitch live to our national judging panel in Dublin.

Winners are announced at the National Startup Awards Ceremony at Dublin City Hall. Category winners receive an award trophy. The Grand Prix — Startup of the Year is selected from among the category winners.