Startup ATLAS Competition

Startup ATLAS Competition

The competition is for founders who are ready to take a practical step forward. You must be registered as a business, sole trader or limited company, but you do not need to provide a registration number at entry stage. By entering, you clarify your idea, practice explaining it, and gain visibility. The competition connects you to people and programmes that can help you move forward beyond the event itself.
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Competition Awards
View Our Finalists
View Our Winners
Apply Now

Who Can Enter?

Entrance Criteria:

Who Can Enter?

Entrance Criteria:

  • You are registered as a business - sole trader or limited company
  • You are pre-trading or very early trading

Our Asks:

  • You are open to peer learning and sharing your journey honestly

Competition Awards

Competition Awards

Public Vote Overall Winner

  • Dedicated exhibition space in the Startup ATLAS Hub
  • Visibility opportunities to over 450+ attendees – investors, corporates and ecosystem partners
    • Complimentary Invitation to the Startup ATLAS clinics during MidWest TechFest
  • Automatic progression to Stage 2
    • Professionally recorded video
    • Eligibility for four awards on the day of the Limerick IT Summit

Public Vote Finalists will get:

  • Showcase your idea at the Limerick IT Summit on 26 February 2026
  • Visibility opportunities to over 450+ attendees – investors, corporates and ecosystem partners
  • Complimentary Invitation to the Startup ATLAS clinics during MidWest TechFest

Watch this space!

Watch this space!

Watch this space!

Watch this space!

All Award Winners will Get

All Award Winners will Get

  • Dedicated exhibition space in the Startup ATLAS Hub
    Showcase your idea at the Limerick IT Summit on 26 February 2026 
  • Visibility opportunities to over 450+ attendees – investors, corporates and ecosystem partners
  • Complimentary Invitation to the Startup ATLAS clinics during MidWest TechFest
  • Tailored support package built around what you actually need (This may include branding, web development, investor preparation, legal advice and executive coaching. The package value will be disclosed publicly.)

How the Competition Works

How the Competition Works

Stage 1. Online Entry and Public Vote

Registration deadline: 22 January 2026


Requirements:

• Complete a short online form
• Record a 30-second video. Phone quality is absolutely fine
• Upload your video to LinkedIn
• Follow and tag @StartupATLAS and @LimerickITSummit
• Share your post and invite people to vote

Your video should include:

  1. Who you are 
  2. What you are building
  3. The problem you are solving
  4. How technology or AI supports your journey, if applicable
  5. Why are you entering this competition?
 

Public voting runs from 23 to 31 January 2026

Outcome

• Top 10 finalists progress to the Summit
• Public vote winner progresses automatically to Stage 2

How the Competition Works

How the Competition Works

Stage 2. Professional Video and Judging

1 to 7 February 2026

Participants:

  • Public vote winner
  • Founders nominated by partner organisations

You will record a guided professional video covering (45 seconds)

  1. Who you are
  2. What problem you solve
  3. Your customer Progress so far
  4. What support you need next
  5. What the Summit means to you

How the Competition Works

How the Competition Works

Stage 3. Summit Day

26 February 2026


Morning

  • Exhibit your idea
  • Speak with investors and partners
  • Receive direct feedback
  • Compete for Most Engaging Founder


Afternoon

  • Awards ceremony
  • All five award winners announced


After the Summit

All finalists attend the Startup ATLAS clinic during MidWest TechFest in March 2026, where next steps are mapped and introductions are made.

Key Dates

  • 22 January 2026. Competition entry closes
  • 23 to 31 January 2026. Public voting
  • 1 to 7 February 2026. Stage 2 recording
  • 26 February 2026. Summit and awards
  • March 2026. Startup ATLAS clinic
Apply Now