The Rubicon Centre at Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) congratulated 9 female entrepreneurs on successfully completing the Exxcel Programme at a recent showcase event in Vertigo, County Hall, Cork.

The 6 month, part-time Exxcel Programme is the only programme in Ireland supported by Enterprise Ireland that is dedicated to supporting STEM female entrepreneurs. The programme is designed to work around the participants daily demands as they balance very busy personal and professional lives.

Programme Manager, Lucy O’Donoghue said, “We are celebrating the progress and achievements of the female participants in their new business ventures. For the past 6 months they have attended training modules and worked closely with the Rubicon Centre and our team of trainers and mentors, guiding them through the complex process of validating their business ideas, completing investor ready business plans and learning how to professionally pitch their ideas to potential backers. They are a highly skilled, resilient, hard-working, confident and motivated group of entrepreneurs who took a leap of faith in themselves and pursed their dream of starting a new business. We wish them every success as they move forward".

The start-ups on the programme included:

• A platform designed to connect pharmaceutical companies with pre-qualified equipment suppliers with proven track records in the industry.
• Irish language app publishing e-books on the web and to archive and make available valuable historic books through Irish.
• Pestos made from seaweed hand harvested in Bantry Bay.
• A natural, detoxifying 3 in1 deodorant cream that moisturises, aids detoxification and eliminates body odour for up to 24 hours and is suitable for children and adults.
• Online tutorials using Tony the Turtle Books to help children on the autism spectrum.
• Online platform offering salon owners a framework to maximise their business and teams true potential.
• A cloud-based platform to support housing providers (local authorities in Ireland and housing associations in Northern Ireland and UK) to plan and implement an energy renovation of their property portfolio.
• A set of safe, hygienic, environmentally friendly period products and underwear.
• Treasure hunt like experiences combining Augmented Reality and outdoor activities to inspire young families to be more active.

Applications for the next Exxcel programme from January to June 2020 are now open. Those interested in learning more about the programme should visit www.rubiconcentre.ie and register their interest or call Lucy O’Donoghue at 021-4928903.