A medical start-up from Galway has pocketed a cash prize of €100,000 after winning Ireland’s biggest competition for innovative new businesses.
NUA Surgical entered the Seedcorn competition last year and reached the regional finals, but was named the overall winner of this year’s contest at an online ceremony today.
Based at NUI Galway, NUA Surgical is dedicated to innovating in women’s health, and developed SteriCISION – a new C-Section retractor which ensures safer surgeries.
“Seedcorn has been a tremendous journey for us, having only reached the regional final in 2019 and now being crowned the overall winner one year later is amazing,” said Barry McCann, CEO at NUA Surgical.
“Our success in Seedcorn is great validation of our investment opportunity it demonstrates that we are now investor ready.
“This win is another steppingstone in bringing the device to market, where we can really make a difference in women’s health.”
The prestigious event also saw GenoME Diagnostics in the North take home €50,000 and the title of Best New Start.
Congratulating the winners, InterTradeIreland Chairman Ken Nelson said that Seedcorn aims to nurture and promote the growth of new enterprises across the island of Ireland.
“After a difficult year, it’s extremely encouraging to see the wealth of enthusiasm, innovative thinking and ambition that these businesses – both North and South – bring to the table,” he said.
“On behalf of InterTradeIreland, I would like to congratulate NUA Surgical and GenoME Diagnostics on their overall win and Sonrai Analytics as the special award winner.
“We wish them success and prosperity in all of their future endeavours, I have no doubt that they are destined for greatness and look forward to following their journey.”
Seedcorn is the island’s biggest business competition for innovative new start and early stage businesses in any sector.
Since its inception in 2003, more than 3,100 companies have been through the programme and finalists have raised in excess of €256m in equity funding.
