What is The Big Pitch?
What is
The Big Pitch?
The Big Pitch is Propelor’s annual flagship event, where three rising startups take centre stage to compete for a cash prize. Each founder is matched with an experienced entrepreneur who mentors them from preparation to pitch.
The 2026 event will take place at the House of Waterford, Waterford City on Thursday, 12th November, 2026.
Who Can Apply?
Innovative Startups or ScaleUps with global ambition
Businesses must be less than 5 years old
Individuals, Sole Traders, Partnerships or Companies
Businesses throughout the Republic of Ireland are welcome to apply
2025 Finalists
Three exceptional finalists took to the stage to pitch their businesses to a panel of judges, competing for the title of The Big Pitch 2025 Winner and the €5,000 cash prize, which was awarded to UnitMode for their innovative approach to sustainable marketing.
Seán Boyle
Setting a new standard for sustainability in marketing, ensuring advertised claims are responsible, compliant, and trusted.
Mark Dunne
Replacing slow, manual technical due diligence with an AI-powered platform that provides predictive financial insights in hours, transforming technology investments from a gamble to a guarantee.
Felix Oster
Crafting Europe’s fruitiest jams, made with 85% real fruit and 70% less sugar, where intense fruit flavour meets healthier eating.
Relive the 2025 Final
Get a taste of what The Big Pitch is all about with highlights from last year’s Final – three ambitious founders taking to the stage, a live audience, and a prize of €7,500. This year’s finalists will be revealed soon.
The 2026 Mentors
Each finalist will be paired with an experienced entrepreneur or business leader who provides mentorship, strategic guidance, and valuable insights to help refine their story, strengthen their business case, and prepare to deliver a standout pitch on stage.
The Little Pitchers
Alongside our three main finalists, The Big Pitch’s Little Pitch gives a group of early-stage founders their moment in the spotlight, each with just a few minutes to deliver a lightning pitch to a live audience. It’s the audience themselves who decide the winner on the day, crowning one standout founder The One to Watch.
Shane Doherty
Blending actuarial precision with AI to redefine hotel performance. Huwmo’s intelligent platform helps hotels optimise pricing, fill empty rooms, and deliver hyper-personalised guest experiences.
Sarah Hayes
A revolutionary sports technology platform transforming competitive swimming. FastWave® removes administrative burdens, empowering coaches and clubs to focus on developing champions — in and out of the pool.
Norma Carty
A proven entrepreneur bringing AI to agriculture. FarmBiddy tackles the admin and compliance challenges faced by farmers, delivering scalable, practical tech for the future of agri-business.
Past Mentors
Liam Dunne
CEO and Co-Founder Klearcom
Louise Grubb
CEO and Founder TriviumVet
Edward Hendrick
Founder Sonru
Rory O'Connor
Scurri
Siobhan Oates
CFO Klearcom
Tom Brennan
Co-founder Eirgen Pharma
Barry Downes
Sure Valley Ventures
Clare Hughes
CF Pharma
Patsy Carney
Eirgen
Previous winners have raised €12.6 in pre-seed and seed funding
2020
Allen O’Neill
2021
Phily Hayes
2022
David Ganly
2023
John Barron
2024
Kevin Barrett
2025
Seán Boyle
With Thanks
To Our Sponsors
