The deadline for Media Cube’s 2nd Innovation Cubed competition is fast approaching. The last day for receipt of applications is December 3rd and the digital media and software incubation centre is offering free office space worth €7,500 for the winning company.
This is the second year that Media Cube, based at Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT), has run such the competition which focuses on identifying new digital media and creative companies with potential and rewarding the best of them.
Media Cube Manger, Martin Hogan, who has direct experience of leading start-up businesses, has been vocal in calling for more support for start-up companies particularly in the digital sectors, saying: ”We are not short in Ireland of reports and strategy documents on the overused terms of the ‘smart, knowledge, green and now innovation-economies.’ What we lack are real supports and funded initiatives to translate what have become clichés into well planned development assistance for start-ups and SMEs. Unless these are in place the reports produced are of little value.”
The judges for the Innovation Cubed competition are TV3 CEO, David McRedmond; Microsoft Ireland’s MD, Paul Rellis and 123.ie owner and MD, Andrew Collins. The 2009 winners of the same competition were Richie Conroy and Mark Hodkinson of Snowluke Pictures who have just produced a second series of ‘Fran’, which will soon be shown soon on Setanta Sports.
Speaking about the ongoing Media Cube competition, Martin Hogan commented that: “We are targeting applications from 60 high-quality start-ups and SMEs from across the region. The finalists will receive advice from some of the most experienced businesspeople in the country and will compete to join the community of highly successful companies in Media Cube rent free for one year. What we are looking for is a dynamic digital company that works on content or software, which has passed the initial start-up stage and is looking to expand and reach the next level of development and market placement. Media Cube’s goal is to support companies to achieve their potential.”
The Innovation Cubed competition will receive applications until the 3rd of December. More information is available at www.innovationcubed.ie
