Mark O'Sullivan, NeuroBell announced as "Founder of the Year 2025" at Enterprise Ireland's High Potential Start-Up Awards

Mark O'Sullivan, CEO of NeuroBell and Jenny Melia, CEO Enterprise Ireland at the Enterprise Ireland High Potential Start-Up Awards 2025

Mark O’Sullivan, CEO of NeuroBell has been awarded the Enterprise Ireland High-Potential Start-Up (HPSU) Founder of the Year for 2025. NeuroBell is a medical device start-up based in Cork, founded in 2023. Its first product, Luna, is a portable brain monitor with AI-powered seizure detection, that enables neonatal ICU staff to quickly diagnose seizures without subspecialty expertise, ensuring timely intervention and treatment.

The Founder of the Year Awards recognise and celebrate the dedication of entrepreneurs and start-ups working to build world-class companies of the future. Five finalists were shortlisted for the 2025 Award, each nominated by their peers and actively engaged in Enterprise Ireland’s High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) Founders Forum over the past year. 

Eoghan Finneran, Senus; Craig Lancaster, Pilot Path; Fergal Meegan, Assiduous; and Brendan Darby, Marama Labs were acknowledged for the achievements of their respective companies to date.

This year marks the 10^th year of the HPSU Founders Forum programme, which is delivered in partnership with Select Strategies.  Over 480 founders have participated to date from a variety of sectors including fintech, digital technologies, medtech, fintech, food, and sustainability.

The Founder of the Year Awards 2025, which took place in Salesforce Tower, was decided by a judging panel which included representatives from Enterprise Ireland, Delta Partners VC and Neurent Medical.

On receiving the award Mark O’Sullivan, CEO of NeuroBell and winner of the HPSU Founder of the Year Award for 2025 said, “I am deeply honoured to receive this award, particularly as the nominees are selected by Founder peers. Enterprise Ireland has been with us on our start-up journey and we look forward to working them as we scale into the US and European markets. Luna allows healthcare workers in neonatal ICU’s to act quickly with the right information. Our ultimate aim is to grow the business globally, bringing Luna to all hospital settings for the benefit of critically ill infants and their families.”

Addressing the Awards ceremony, Jenny Melia, CEO, Enterprise Ireland said: "The Founder of the Year Awards shine a spotlight on the ambition, innovation and resilience of Ireland’s start-up community. These awards are a celebration of the entrepreneurial spirit that drives high-potential start-ups to scale globally. With over 480 founders having participated in the HPSU Founders Forum to date, this initiative continues to be a powerful platform for peer learning, collaboration and growth. 

Enterprise Ireland is proud to support these founders at every stage of their journey, working closely with partners across the ecosystem to ensure Ireland remains a world-class location to start and scale a business. I want to congratulate Mark and Neurobell and all of this year’s finalists for their achievements and commitment to building globally ambitious companies." 

ENDS

Contact:     

For further information:

Nicola Corboy / Niamh Horan, Press & Communications, Enterprise Ireland

press@enterprise-ireland.com/              

 

Note to Editors: 

Founder of the Year 2025 – Finalist Bios
 

Senus – Eoghan Finneran (Co-Founder & Director of Growth)

Senus develops software to measure nature, providing the intelligence needed to nurture it and enabling a future where environmental preservation and business success thrive together. The company offers Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) technology for Natural Capital. Its user-friendly IT platforms have enabled real-time, accurate environmental impact reporting since 2017. 

 

Pilot Path – Craig Lancaster (CEO & Founder)

Pilot Path, The Pilot Navigation Academy, supports aspiring pilots from cadet to cockpit. The company manages every barrier, licence and transition, orchestrating a consortium of partner universities, flight schools, and airlines through a bespoke technology platform. All stakeholders are unified into a single structured journey that is managed, financed, and actively stewarded to final cockpit entry. 

 

Assiduous – Fergal Meegan (CEO & Co-founder)

Assiduous is the Corporate Finance Autopilot®, a virtual advisory team supporting business owners. The company is building an AI engine to power small and medium-sized businesses through strategic, financing and liquidity transactions across their corporate lifecycle. 

 

Marama Labs – Brendan Darby (CEO & Co-founder)

Marama Labs develops analytical tools to help biotech companies create mRNA medicines. Its patented CloudSpec instrument measures the drug content of complex liquid formulations in seconds instead of hours, providing scientists with immediate insights during the drug development process. These tools accelerate research and manufacturing, reduce bottlenecks, and support the delivery of next-generation RNA-based therapies. 

 

NeuroBell - Mark O’Sullivan (CEO & Co-founder)

NeuroBell is a medical device startup based in Cork, founded in 2023. Its first product, Luna, is a portable brain monitor with AI-powered seizure detection. Luna enables neonatal ICU staff to quickly diagnose seizures without subspecialty expertise, ensuring timely intervention and treatment.