The time has come for you to vote for your Wildcard to get a place in the AIB Start-Up Academy in association with The Irish Times, and we’ve got details about all of the nominees below. Her.ie and JOE.ie readers will have until 12 December to pick their favourite start-up, so get voting!
You can find all of the information about the lucky ten finalists already through to the Start-Up Academy here. The winning Wildcard will be announced on Monday 15 December. Check out all of the hopeful nominees below…
CarSafari
Founder(s): Paula Kelleher & James Mannix
CarSafari is an interactive platform telling kids and families about places they’re passing through in a fun way. At the core of CarSafari is a unique database of location-based content in multimedia comic strip format, which is accessible via an app and provides an alternative means to parents for entertaining kids on long car journeys. CarSafari also provides promotional space on the platform for local businesses to connect directly with potential customers in the vicinity, something not possible through conventional media advertising.
Chilly Moo Frozen Yogurt
Founder(s): Clare Holman & Joanna Lovegrove
Chilly Moo Frozen Yogurt was developed by two mammies (Clare and Joanna) who were old friends and mothers to 6 little ones. Their product, Chilly Moo Frozen Yogurt, contains less than 3% fat and is sweetened just with fruit juice concentrate; it is also gluten free and has 20% real fruit. You can find it in selected Tesco, Dunnes and SuperValus nationwide as well as all your favourite independent stores and cafes.
Escape Goats
Founder(s): Sean Bushell
Escape Goats is the Cilla Black of apps – matching users with great activities – based on location, preferences and details. The app provides a personal experience that is fast and easy. It is also a complete mobile booking management platform – like AirBnB for activity providers.
Kids Play Bus
Founder(s): Leona O’Callaghan
Kids Play Bus is a double decker London Bus that’s been remodelled into a Kids Play Area. The bus has a slide from the top deck to the bottom deck, karaoke, disco, squeezy rollers, ball pit, face-painting, nail art, disco and much more on board. Everything happens on the bus so there is no mess or stress in the house. It’s ideal for parties, events, weddings, communions, corporate days, schools and crèches to keep the kids entertained. The Kids Play Bus motto is: We bring the fun on wheels to your door!
Parkme.ie
Founder(s): Liam Farrell
Parkme.ie is a platform that allows businesses and individuals to earn some extra income by renting out their private parking space (driveway or car park space) to others. Drivers simply search for and book their space online and the owner will be sent the booking details, including the registration of the vehicle. Parkme.ie have over 500 spaces currently listed around Dublin, these are mostly in popular locations like Luas stops, Dart stops, City Centre, Hospitals, Stadiums, Airport, etc.
Patels 1941
Founder(s): Raman Patel
With Patel’s ‘One-der blend’ you decide what curry you want to make. The pack includes 2 sachets, each sachet serves 4 and a recipe booklet with Patel’s 10 curry recipes which all includes lower fat options. There is no chopping garlic, ginger and chilli or blending your spices , it’s all in the One-der blend. You just add your meat, fish or veg and other readily got ingredients to make one of their 10 amazing curries.
Rain Water Station
Founder(s): Peter Vallely
Rain Water Station is a company formed on two premises, firstly the need to conserve water and secondly the desire of homeowners to reduce water bills by diverting and filtering a natural and valuable free resource, namely rain water.
Their system is an advanced rain water collector, diverting rain fall from the roof of the house or commercial building and filtering it to drinking quality before pumping it directly into the attic for use in the home.
usherU
Founder(s): Garry Walsh, Ollie Fegan, Catherine Downes & Andres Macias
usherU is a new Irish cinema app being launched in the UK in partnership with the British Film Institute. usherU find out what cinemas and films you love and then make real time recommendations for films to see based on your preferences. You book the ticket via their app in two clicks and you will get a free popcorn, Ben & Jerry’s or a discounted ticket to help sweeten the deal. usherU launches in London in January 2015 and Dublin in May 2015.
Vanguard Beer Collective
Founder(s): James Winans
Vanguard Beer Collective is a marketing and distribution agency to the burgeoning Irish craft beer industry. The company was set up in mid 2013 by James Winans in order to address the many issues publicans were experiencing when sourcing beer from independent Irish craft breweries. Vanguard Beer Collective (VBC) gives publicans and restaurateurs easy access to many different independent microbreweries across the country through a single contact, order, delivery and invoice. VBC also gives pubs and restaurants the opportunity to have rotation taps and access to many limited and seasonal beers.
Go ahead and vote for your preferred AIB Start-up Academy Wildcard nominee below…
Check out the terms and conditions here.
