Two Irish startups have won top prizes at a Europass Pitching Competition organised by DCU Ryan Academy as part of the European ‘Welcome’ project.
 
Damian Browne from Standard Access and David Craig from Dublin Design Studio were each awarded a place on Welcome’s Europass programme. 
 
The Europass programme is part of the Welcome project, a Startup Europe initiative funded by the EU Commission.

DCU Ryan Academy is the Irish partner of the Welcome project. It is run across four countries benefiting 16 European early stage startups.

The pitching competition took place in Bank of Ireland Grand Canal Square with eight startups pitching their businesses to an audience and judging panel. DCU Ryan Academy will host one more competition in coming weeks to give out a final prize as part of this programme.
 
Standard Access has developed a lock and hardware/software combination that allows building access by smartphone integrated with a client management platform. Their product allows for quick and secure turnover on leases for commercial property.  

Dublin Design Studio has developed Scriba, a new smarter iPad stylus designed around the natural movements of your hand. Scriba is currently fundraising on Kickstarter.
 
Head of Innovation at Bank of Ireland, David Tighe said, "We were delighted to be involved in this pitching competition and were heartened at the innovation evident and the quality of the teams which really made for a tough final decision." 
 
Source: www.businessworld.ie