5 NI start-ups selected for global accelerator programme

Description

10 start-ups have been selected to participate in IgniteNI's global accelerator programme for growing tech companies, including four Belfast-based businesses and one Derry firm. 

Through the three-month Accelerator Programme, each start-up will receive between £23,000 and £28,000 in financial support, over £250,000 in credits from companies such as Stripe, Amazon and Intercom, investor lunches and nine months of office space in Belfast’s Ormeau Baths.

Demand for this year’s programmes was extremely high, with IgniteNI receiving interest from 1100 start-ups across 35 countries.

The 10 participants focus on several sectors including healthcare, fintech and hardware, and are as follows: 

• BreatheHappy, Buckinghamshire, UK – BreatheHappy is an AI-assisted posture-correction platform for live-at-home yoga classes. 

• CropSafe, Belfast, NI – CropSafe is a satellite data-powered platform that provides actionable insights into farmland, which was founded by John McElhone and Micheál McLaughlin.

• Eolas Medical, Belfast, NI – Eolas medical is a physician-led Medtech start-up founded by Dr Declan Kelly to harness the world’s medical information towards a future of equitable healthcare. 

• Kniterate, Boston, US – Kniterate is a compact digital knitting machine designed for small fashion businesses, design studios, maker spaces and schools. Kniterate allows users to create and customise knitwear products like scarves, sweaters and dresses.

• Konvi, Berlin, Germany – Konvi is an investment platform that enables users to invest in rare, high-end luxury items such as watches, handbags, art and cars.

• LegitFit, Cork, Ireland – LegitFit is a software platform designed to streamline the process of managing fitness and health businesses while reducing cancellations and improving revenues. 

• MedAll, Belfast, NI – MedAll strives to be the career passport for healthcare professionals. The platform enables medical professionals to store certificates and collect teaching, patient and multi-source feedback in a single location.

• PulseAI, Belfast, NI – PulseAI is a Medtech platform founded to transform cardiovascular diagnosis through AI. The company specialises in AI-powered arrhythmia detection that enables better patient decision-making.

• Respiratory Analytics, Derry, NI –, Respiratory Analytics uses sensor technology in an inhalation training device, combined with cloud-hosted data analytics to help control the symptoms of those with respiratory symptoms. 

• X-15, Sussex, UK – X-15 is an enterprise asset management solution. The company builds industry-specific software systems for commercial and military clients. 

The programme is supported by economic growth agency, Invest NI.