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There has been a record number of entrants for this year’s Local Enterprise Offices (Cork) CIT Prize for Innovation, which awards €10,000 in cash prizes to inventions and business ideas judged most creative, novel, innovative, and likely to succeed in the workplace

The prize forms part of Cork Institute of Technology’s Innovation Week 2016 taking place all this week across CIT’s five campus locations with a series of events and activities promoting entrepreneurship and innovation.

The applications for this year’s prize offer proposals from a wide variety of disciplines. The field of technology features strongly with entrants such as Touch – a digital alternative to tradition notice boards, and Flashbox – a combined USB flash drive, battery pack and Bluetooth locator for mobile devices, just some of the creative proposals.

Mental health was also a popular focus this year with the promotion of a holistic approach to coaching, mentoring, nutritional advice and mindfulness for women forming one business idea, while various APPs supporting and promoting positive mental well-being were also submitted.

Last year’s first prize winner was sole trader and founder of the Roll Out Vegetable Garden Company, Cara Tremayne from Dunmanway, Co Cork. Cara, who was a fourth year Horticulture student at CIT, picked up a cheque for €4,000 and the title of CIT Entrepreneur of the Year for her roll out coco coir woven matting impregnated with vegetable seeds.

“To finish fourth year after winning the Prize for Innovation made me feel so positive and driven towards making my own business a success and becoming self-employed. It gave me huge hopes for my future,” said Cara, who was the first ever female winner of the prize.

Other prize categories awarded as part of the Prize for Innovation include Most Innovative Award, Best Business Plan, Best Presentation Pitch and Best Exhibition Stand.

The CIT Prize for Innovation is sponsored by Local Enterprise Offices (Cork). Further details available from www.cit.ie/innovationweek.

Cork Institute of Technology’s Innovation Week 2016 will kick off on Monday 7^th March with an official launch taking place around a supersized box in the main Atrium of the CIT Bishopstown campus.

The launch sees the unveiling of the larger than life CIT Innovation Week 2016 box which promotes all aspects of innovation and creativity, as well as paying homage to past winners of the Local Enterprise Office (Cork) sponsored CIT Prize for Innovation.

The week-long event includes a wide range of seminars, exhibitions, workshops and demonstrations. The highlight of the week is the Local Enterprise Offices (Cork) CIT Prize for Innovation which awards €10,000 in cash prizes to those whose inventions and business ideas are judged most creative, novel, innovative, and likely to succeed in the workplace.

“Innovation Week is a celebration of innovation and entrepreneurship across the many disciplines and campuses of CIT. Throughout the week we will be showcasing seasoned entrepreneurs, many of whom are trading internationally, as well as students who have come up with business and App ideas” says Carole O’Leary, Industry Liaison Manager, CIT.

Other prize categories during the week include NIMBUS Product Development Prize, The Apprentice, Bank of Ireland Business Canvass Wall, CIT CodorDojo Competition and Build Your Own Rocket Workshop. The competitions are open to all students registered at CIT during the academic year.

CIT Innovation Week 2016, which is now in its 6^th year, will take place from 7^th – 11^th March across CIT’s five campus locations. Further details available from www.cit.ie/innovationweek