Wednesday, April 2nd 2025 – Munster Technological University’s (MTU) Prize for Innovation Showcase and Awards Ceremony 2025 took place on 27th March at the Bishopstown Campus. A highlight of MTU’s month of Enterprise, the annual competition awards cash prizes to budding student entrepreneurs whose inventions and business ideas demonstrate creativity, novelty, and strong potential for market success. The competition, now in its 24th year, is sponsored by the Cork and Kerry Local Enterprise Offices, who are strong supporters of student entrepreneurship at MTU.
With a prize fund of €14,500, this year’s competition was fiercely contested, attracting over 270 students forming 78 teams or individual applications across MTU’s six campuses in Cork and Kerry.
The top prize of €4,000 and the prestigious title of MTU Entrepreneur of the Year was awarded to a multi-disciplinary team of third-year Chemical and Biopharmaceutical Engineering and Sustainable Energy Engineering students from MTU’s Bishopstown campus for their game-changing solution for TB prevention in cattle. Their product, TBGuard, protects cattle by preventing badger access to water or feeding troughs. The device provides high levels of biosecurity and practicality, offering farmers herd protection, reduced transmissions, and a way to safeguard their livelihoods and the future of their operations. The device was developed under the guidance of Ian O’Sullivan, MTU Lecturer, Department of Process, Energy & Transport Engineering.
Carole O’Leary, Regional Programme Manager for 3rd Level Student Entrepreneurship at MTU, praised the winners, saying: “TBGuard is a perfect example of how the talent and ingenuity of our students can deliver practical, real-world solutions to significant challenges in the agricultural sector. It’s inspiring to see all these young innovators applying their skills to make a genuine difference, not just locally but potentially on a global scale.”
A multi-disciplinary team of third-year Chemical & Biopharmaceutical Engineering and Sustainable Energy Engineering students from MTU’s Bishopstown campus won the award for Best Business Opportunity and a prize of €1,500 for their product, Sprout Smart Spreader. This innovative device tackles leaching and run-off associated with traditional slurry and fertiliser methods. Additional benefits of the Sprout Smart Spreader include its suitability for drought and heavy rainfall conditions, aeration of the ground and prevention of nutrient loss. It is also a less expensive option than other solutions currently on the market. The team developed the concept with the mentorship of Brian Quin, MTU Lecturer, Department of Process, Energy & Transport Engineering.
This year’s Best Concept Award and €1,500 prize money was shared by two teams for their novel concepts, NEST and Librelle. NEST is a non-invasive breast cancer detection and prevention tool that uses smart sensor technology to detect early indicators of breast cancer. NEST was inspired by the personal experiences of the team’s three members, who are Biomedical Engineering students at MTU’s Bishopstown Campus, each having someone close to them who was diagnosed with breast cancer. The team was mentored by Dr Hugh O’Donnell, Dr Paul Keane, and Jessica O’Neill, MTU Lecturers in the Department of Mechanical & Biomedical Engineering.
Librelle is an extraction tool with an encapsulation mechanism that breaks up scar tissue in a safe manner. This novel tool reduces discomfort and ensures precise extractions. Featuring a sleek ergonomic design, the tool incorporates a comfort fit handle and has intuitive buttons for operating the device. The team comprised three Business Information Systems students from MTU’s Bishopstown campus who were mentored by MTU Lecturer, Dr Trudie Murray, Department of Management & Enterprise.
Paul Healy, MTU Rubicon Centre Manager, addressed the audience, saying: “They say it takes a village to raise a child—well, it takes a university like MTU to raise aspiring entrepreneurs.”
Participants in this year’s challenge came from a wide range of disciplines including Theatre and Drama Studies, Engineering (Biomedical, Mechanical, Chemical and Biopharmaceutical, Sustainable Energy), Software Development, Computer Science, Creative Digital Media, Culinary Arts, Music, Advanced Manufacturing, and Communications and Marketing. Students have been working on their innovative ideas and business concepts since last September.
MTU’s Prize for Innovation Competition continues to demonstrate the University’s commitment to nurturing creativity, entrepreneurship, and problem-solving skills, providing students with the tools and mentorship needed to turn ideas into impactful solutions.
