Break through the impossible
What is INVENT?
INVENT is an annual competition organised by Catalyst with headline partner Bank of Ireland, that celebrates our most exciting entrepreneurs and innovations, giving them an international platform and support to make the greatest impact. Applications for INVENT 2025 will open in early spring!
Who can apply for INVENT?
Startups
Individuals or teams with innovative business ideas or prototypes.
Students
Aspiring entrepreneurs from universities or educational institutions.
Researchers
Professionals engaged in research and development seeking to commercialise their findings.
Side Projects
Passionate individuals pursuing innovative projects alongside their main activities.
Applicants must have a basic prototype to apply to INVENT. Please refer to our terms and conditions for more details on eligibility.
Why apply for INVENT?
Networking
Access a quality network of influencers, peers, and industry experts to foster collaboration and growth.
Validation
Gain recognition and validation for your innovative ideas and projects.
Funding
Opportunity to secure a share of the prize fund to further develop and scale your innovation.
Learning
Access support and workshops to enhance your entrepreneurial skills and navigate the challenges of innovation.
Exposure
Showcase your innovation to a global audience, gaining high-profile visibility.
Interested in seeing a previous INVENT application?
Have another question?
"Winning INVENT was a huge deal for Dia Beta Labs in terms of validation and exposure. As a therapeutic development company without the ability to demonstrate with prototypes or divulge commercially sensitive information it can sometimes be difficult to generate buzz around what we are doing. However, INVENT gave us something tangible to show off our success and provided us a platform to increase the profile and visibility of the company which has helped in our engagement with investors and potential customers since the win. Indeed, "Oh, you guys won INVENT!" has become a common icebreaker for many of the people we speak with!"
— Ryan Lafferty, Dia Beta Labs: Overall INVENT 2024 Winner
Headline Partner
2024 Sponsors
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Martina Tierney – Impact Award 2022
Brendan Monaghan – Innovation Founder 2021
Bloc Blinds ~ SureCert ~ Axial 3D ~ Dr Tara Moore – Innovators Awardees 2020
Denis Murphy – Innovation Founder 2019
John Rainey MBE – Innovation Founder 2018
James Leckey – Innovation Founder 2017
Martin Naughton KBE – Innovation Founder 2016
Brian Conlon – Innovation Founder 2015
Dr William Wright CBE – Innovation Founder 2014
Dr Peter FitzGerald CBE – Innovation Founder 2013
Tom Eakin – Innovation Founder 2012
Dr Hugh Cormican – Innovation Founder 2011
Prof John Anderson – Innovation Founder 2010
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Clare Passmore – Chair
Colin Crangle – Bank of Ireland
David Brownlee – HSCNI
Bregeen Campbell – Deloitte
Jason Wiggins – Queen's University Belfast
Neil Buchanan – ECIT
Lewis Loane – Torann
Julie Gray – ViperClip
Bridgeen Callan – Klas PDT Technology
Michael Shaw – RPS
Kat Maguire – Queen's University Belfast
Emma Donnelly – Ulster University
Kathryn Laverty – Carson McDowell
Treena Clarke – Harbinson Mulholland
Jonathan Wallace – Ulster University
Tina O'Donnell – Seagate