BIA BEAUTY HAS THE WINNING FORMULA
17th November 2014
There could only be one winner of the Cork innovates €30,000 bursary, and Tracey Ryan of Bia Beauty Skincare walked away from the inBusiness inCork 2014 showcase a winner.
Several hundred business people and entrepreneurs crossed the threshold of City Hall in Cork to attend inBusiness inCork 2014, the leading showcase for entrepreneurs, innovators, startups and small businesses in the Cork region.
The seven finalists TIC Ltd, Ottera Technology, Inspect4, AventaMed, Pundit Arena, Mountain Man Brewing pitched for the coveted €30,000 Cork innovates bursary purse. Bia Beauty, a company that develops and produces natural and effective skincare, was announced as the 2014 winner.
“In the last 2 years Bia Beauty has grown from my kitchen table project to a full scale manufacturing business, we are currently stocked in more than 100 stores in Ireland including Avoca, Blarney Woolen Mills, Mothercare, Evergreen Health Stores and Lloyd’s Pharmacy chain. Winning the Cork innovates bursary means that I can now consider exploring exporting opportunities, in particular the German, US and Australian markets,” said Tracey Ryan, Bia Beauty Ltd.
The bursary provides a cash investment sum, as well as a suite of services from advertising, financial advice, mentoring, PR, a Vodafone communications package and Cork Chamber membership supports to the value of thirty thousand euro.
“We have had over one thousand through the door today exploring the business networking opportunities that inBusiness inCork 2014 showcase and exhibition provides. The success of this event, which is now in its third year, is testament to work and enthusiasm of our partners including Vodafone Ireland, AIB, Cork City Council, Cork County Council, Cork Chamber, UCC and CIT among others who came together to deliver this breakthrough event for businesses in the region,” said Siobhan Finn, Project Director, Cork innovates.
"I am thrilled to announce Bia Beauty as the winner of the 2014 Cork innovates bursary. Bia Beauty has a fantastic range of natural skincare products, and I know that the company will continue to thrive and grow with the help of this important support", she added.
Inspect4 took home the award for most engaging pitch while AventaMed was awarded for excellence in innovation and Bia Beauty for best business opportunity
Sponsors of the Cork innovates bursary include the Irish Examiner, Red FM, AIB, Westboro Partners, CAMEO Communications, Brook Catering and Cork Chamber.
For more information, please see www.corkinnovates.com
ENDS
Return to the Archive News section