Donncha Hughes

A self employed Business Advisor and Mentor, Donncha Hughes specialises in working with early stage technology and knowledge oriented businesses to deliver growth. Notable achievements include the award to a client company of the Regional Winner prize valued at €20,000 in the 2014 InterTrade Seedcorn Competition whereby the company subsequently secured private investment matched by Enterprise Ireland as a HPSU. 
Based in Galway, and working with clients across Ireland, Donncha curates Startup Digest Galway on a voluntary basis, and most recently has been involved in the launch of "Startup Galway Pitches Meetup" which provides a forum for startups to practice a pitch that they need to make for their business.
My first article for Inspired Startups published in May 2015 was entitled ‘What Enterprise Ireland are looking for in a CSF Application’. This follow up post will focus on an increasingly important part of your Stage 1 application for Competitive Start Fund - the video pitch which is worth 25% of the available marks."
A few years ago, Enterprise Ireland introduced the Competitive Start Fund to assist early stage startups. A hugely vital initiative for startups, CSF facilitates Enterprise Ireland to invest €50,000 for 10% equity. This post will provide first-hand experience of what the state agency is looking for in a well completed application.