High growth startups pitch for investment on completion of Prep4Seed Programme

Image caption: (L-R) Conor O’Donovan, Enterprise Ireland, and Lisa Kleiner, Nibbed

• Seven High Growth startups completed the fifth Prep4Seed programme delivered by the Irish BICs in collaboration with Enterprise Ireland, preparing them for seed investment
• Investors and VCs gathered in the GEC for the final Investor Pitch Day
• Somatech was awarded the ‘One to Watch’
• Nibbed received ‘Best Pitch’ Award

The first 12-week Prep4Seed Programme of 2025 has culminated at the Investor Pitch Day, where seven startups pitched to an audience of Angel Investors & VCs. The programme, delivered by the four Irish Business Innovation Centres (BICs), in collaboration with Enterprise Ireland, prepares startup clients for seed investment, bringing participants through the investor readiness process quickly and effectively. The Irish BICs are AxisBIC, Furthr, Propelor andWestBIC. 

The seven Irish based early-stage companies, which pitched for investment at the event last Thursday, were from a variety of industry sectors, including; Climate Tech, Life Sciences, FinTech, Digital Tech, Food and Sustainability. 

The pitching companies were; Nibbed, Shoden, Solas Sodas, Somatech, Tao Climate, The Focus Collective and Xtricate Medical. 

Carol Gibbons, Global Head of Entrepreneurship, Regions & Local Enterprise, Enterprise Ireland said: “Just over a week on from the success of celebrating over 150 innovative emerging start-ups at the Enterprise Ireland Start-up Day 2025, it is encouraging to see this new cohort of early stage companies coming through the Prep4Seed programme. The calibre of talent and innovation demonstrated by these start-ups, spread across a range of sectors, is testament to the vibrancy of the start-up eco-system across Ireland. Enterprise Ireland is delighted to support and partner with the Irish BICs to support these start-ups to thrive and influence the future of global business.” 

Somatech, awarded the One to Watch Award, are specialising in fungal solid-state fermentation, leveraging low-cost technology to transform locally sourced, plant-based feedstocks into high-value, 100% natural ingredients.

Nibbed, who took home the Best Pitch Award, are redefining the hot drinks space with pure hot cacao—a nourishing, energising coffee alternative. 

Commenting on their award Tony Callaghan, founder, Somatech said: “We are delighted to receive the One to Watch Award. The Prep4Seed program has been immensely beneficial, helping us refine our investor proposition and pitch. It provided invaluable insights across all areas of business, enabling us to sharpen our strategy and prepare for the next stage of growth." 

Participants attended five masterclasses run by the Irish BICs and tailored one-to-one meetings with experienced BIC consultants which covered a broad range of areas, including; sales and marketing, financial modelling, market validation, pitching and investment, and company foundation. Participants were also brought through intensive investor pitch preparation sessions and trial pitches preparing them for last week's Investor Day.  

To date, 76 startups have participated in the 12-week Prep4Seed investor-ready programme, delivered nationally by the Irish BICs; AxisBIC, Furthr, Propelor and WestBIC, in collaboration with Enterprise Ireland. 

Ends 

For more information, please contact:

Press@enterprise-ireland.com 

Irish Business Innovation Centres (BICs)

AxisBIC
Fionnuala Wall
fwall@axisbic.com
www.axisbic.com

Furthr
Julian Seymour
 julianseymour@furthr.ie
 www.furthr.ie

Propelor BIC
Rosemary Ward
rosemary@propelorbic.ie
www.propelorbic.ie

WestBIC
Mary Ryan
mryan@westbic.ie
www.westbic.ie