Enterprise Ireland Student Awards 2006

Important notice of upcoming elections

The announcement of the annual Cork Institute of Technology Prize for Innovation took place in the Rubicon Centre (CIT's new Innovation Centre). Eighteen "student companies" showcased their businesses during the exhibition and €5,000 in total was awarded to the winning entries. The South Cork Enterprise Board sponsored the competition, which is open to all departments and provides an insight for students into what is involved in setting up their own business.

The panel of adjudicators, Leonard Godsil (South Cork Enterprise Board), Drew O'Sullivan (Genesis Enterprise Programme Manager), Michael Weldon (Patent Lawyer, from John A O'Brien & Associates, Bandon), and Paul Healy (Manager, Rubicon Centre), were very impressed with the quality of the work that was evidenced from the business plans that were submitted under the competition.

First prize was awarded to KCML, team of Mechanical Engineering and Business Studies students - for the Neoprene Glove, which is a finger splint that allows skin to breathe, counteracting the breakdown of skin cells. KCLM comprise Lucy Gleeson, from Co. Limerick, Martina Brennan, from Co. Tipperary, Claire Murphy, from Co. Cork and Kathleen Hurley, from Co. Waterford. They received €3,000 for their winning entry. Martina works in the National Customer Contact Centre in Wilton.

The final year students from both Departments collaborated using their final year projects as a basis to form a company Finger Splint Limited - their product is a medical glove with in-built support for a fifth metacarpal fracture. Kathleen designed the product and Martina, Claire and Lucy compiled the Business Plan.

Queens University, Belfast, hosted the final for the Enterprise Ireland Awards on Wednesday 5th and Thursday 6th April, where Martina's team were awarded the runner-up prize.