Fintech firm JustTip has been announced as the overall winner of the 2024 Enterprise Ireland Student Entrepreneur Awards at a ceremony in University College Cork.
Ciara Walsh and James Fahy, students from Technological University Dublin and University of Galway, were named as the Student Entrepreneurs of the Year and presented with their prize by Michael Carey, Chairman, Enterprise Ireland.
JustTip is a tipping platform that provides a cashless tipping solution which allows customers to tip employees directly. The fintech solution is separate to the business which utilises it, and streamlines the process. With end-to-end transaction reports, it also provides complete transparency for employees and customers.
JustTip was one of ten finalists at the 2024 Enterprise Ireland Student Entrepreneur Awards, which was open to third-level students from across Ireland who have developed innovative products and solutions to address a broad spectrum of global challenges across a range of sectors, including renewable energy, sustainability, health, hospitality and animal safety.
As the overall winner, JustTip receives €10,000 as part of the Enterprise Ireland student prize, and they will also receive mentoring from Enterprise Ireland to develop their products and explore new market opportunities.
This is the 43rd year of Enterprise Ireland’s Student Entrepreneur Awards, which are co-sponsored by Cruickshank, Grant Thornton and the Local Enterprise Offices. The awards are open to all third-level institutions across the country.
Other awards presented at the ceremony include:
The Cruickshank High Achieving Merit Award and €5,000 was presented to University of Limerick Students Rachel O’Dell, Muirne McCarthy, Mary Carey and Ella Murphy for their innovation PILOT by Precision Path Medical
The Grant Thornton High Achieving Merit Award and €5,000 was received by Dublin City University student Seamus Cummins for his product Aero Beam
The Local Enterprise Office High Achieving Merit Award and €5,000 went to Dublin City University students Aisling Wood, Sadhbh Wood, Jack Tiernan, Muhammad Memon and Eibhe Kehoe and their company Bean Around
The Enterprise Ireland Academic Award, recognising the contribution of a third-level project supervisor, was awarded to Gloria Rull from Technological University Dublin
The other six finalists that made the Student Entrepreneur Awards final today were also awarded with a prize of €1,500 each from the Enterprise Ireland Merit Awards Fund.
In addition to the prize money, the winners will also benefit from comprehensive business advice and mentoring supports from Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Office, Intellectual Property consultancy and protection from Cruickshank and business plan development from Grant Thornton.
Speaking at the awards ceremony at University College Cork, Michael Carey, Chairman, Enterprise Ireland, said: “The high calibre of applications in today’s final highlights the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit within Ireland’s third-level institutes nationwide. The innovative solutions these young entrepreneurs have developed are impressive, and I am encouraged by their pioneering spirit and determination to develop products and services with a positive impact on our society.
“Enterprise Ireland believes that Irish businesses are key drivers in the Irish economy, and are economic cornerstones in communities around the country. We are proud to play a role in a vibrant start-up ecosystem which provides supports, insights and expertise to ambitious entrepreneurs, at all stages of their business journey. I would like to congratulate all of the finalists and look forward to seeing the success of the entrepreneurs here today, the next generation of business leaders, and wish them every success as they continue on their journey.”
Also speaking at the event, Richard Murphy, Manager, LEO Support, Policy & Co-ordination Unit, Enterprise Ireland said: “For over 40 years, The Student Entrepreneur Awards has provided third-level students with an important opportunity to explore the feasibility of their business concepts and to receive guidance from experienced mentors to turn their business idea into reality. Developing the next generation of Irish entrepreneurs is a priority for us at Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices, and this competition marks a significant milestone for students who are pursuing their entrepreneurial ambitions with the guidance and support of their academic institutions.”
