Update on Mallin/DCU Start up Award
13 September 2002

Last week eleven undergraduates and graduates pitched their entrepreneurial ideas for the Mallin Award to a high profile judging panel in InVent. These business proposals were chosen from 54 entries submitted by 26 July 2002.

The panel shortlisted 4 finalists at the end of two days of intensive pitches and the winner will be announced at a high profile award ceremony in InVent in mid November.

The winning entrepreneur, in addition to receiving €10,000 in cash, will benefit from free incubation space in InVent under the centre's ''internship'' programme and access to a range of business support services. Dell will provide a complete office set up, including Dell laptop and printer. Free professional advice will be provided from KPMG and A&L Goodbody, including company set up, year one audit, advice on finance, legal issues, taxation and strategic marketing and planning. The total start up fund amounts to the considerable sum of €60,000.

The four shortlisted candidates listed below are all graduates and undergraduates of DCU.

REAP
Entrepreneurs: Daragh Sheridan and Neil Coleman
Business idea: The company's objective is to establish an innovative sports services in Ireland

Imperium
Entrepreneurs: Ruairi O Neil, Cormac O hEadhra, Carl O Bruachain and Garrett Ahern
Business idea: Imperium is an SMS content service provider; SMS stands for short messaging service, text messages. Imperium is focused on the development and implementation of innovative SMS marketing solutions

RFC
Entrepreneurs: Noel Fitzpatrick, Philip Reynolds and Mark Campbell
Business idea: RFC 's core business will consist of supplying and providing support for computer network solutions for small to medium sized businesses as well as providing custom software packages designed by their own software developers.

Luxcel
Entrepreneur: Richard Fernandez
Business idea: The company goal is to become the leading provider of drug discovery solutions and tools to the pharmaceutical industry