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Enterprise Ireland has named five finalists for its 2026 High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) Founder of the Year award. The winner is scheduled to be announced on 15 October 2026 at Salesforce Tower in Dublin; as of 3 October, no winner had been announced.
Who are the five finalists?
Thirty-eight HPSUs were eligible before Enterprise Ireland narrowed the field to five. The finalists represent companies working in eyecare technology, confectionery, communications software, hospital workflows and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
| Finalist | Company and sector | What Enterprise Ireland says the company does |
|---|---|---|
| Breda O’Regan | Lia EyeCare — eyecare technology | Co-founder and CEO. Lia EyeCare’s first product, Nightleaf, is a non-invasive wearable intended for use before sleep. Enterprise Ireland’s bio says it supports the eyes’ natural ability to restore and recover; that is the company’s positioning, not independently verified clinical evidence. |
| Mark Birrane | WONDR — confectionery | Founder and CEO of an Irish sweets brand. Enterprise Ireland describes WONDR’s jellies as low sugar, high protein and high fibre, and says the brand is growing in Ireland, the UK and Europe, with the US in view. These are attributed company claims, not independently tested nutrition or sales findings. |
| Robert Norton | Kaptea — communications workflow software | Co-founder and CTO. Kaptea’s Pronto platform is built on Twilio and orchestrates journeys by running workflows and AI across communication channels. |
| Seán Kirwan | MedWrite AI — hospital workflow automation | CEO. Enterprise Ireland says hospitals use MedWrite to deploy and manage AI agents for clinical documentation, coding and administrative workflows. Its biography reports tasks can be completed up to 10x faster and that the company has raised over €1 million; neither figure is independently verified here. |
| Leah Fletcher | Dunbar Pharma — cannabinoid pharmaceutical manufacturing | Founder and CEO. Enterprise Ireland describes Dunbar as Ireland’s first EU GMP-certified cannabinoid pharmaceutical manufacturer. Its bio says Dunbar launched WaterClear THC, a plant-derived dronabinol active pharmaceutical ingredient, to partners behind ten magistral preparations in two major export markets. |
When and where will the winner be announced?
The ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, 15 October 2026, at Salesforce Tower in Dublin. Enterprise Ireland says the overall winner will be selected by the announced judging panel. The date is a scheduled future event as of 3 October 2026.
Who is judging the award?
Enterprise Ireland names three judges:
- Heidi Davis, CEO and founder of Peri and 2024 Founder of the Year.
- Dan Fox, strategic advisor of Eudia and co-founder of Johnson Hana, where he was formerly CEO.
- Donnchadh Cullinan, Divisional Manager for Technology, Services and Consumer at Enterprise Ireland.
Enterprise Ireland’s announcement does not publish a judging rubric or scorecard, so the finalists’ company milestones should not be treated as stated award criteria.
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#1 Best Overall
Elebase USB to USB C Adapter for iPhone 18 Pro Max,USBC Car Charger Adapter
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
How does the award fit into the HPSU Founders Forum?
The award is part of Enterprise Ireland’s HPSU Founders Forum, delivered in partnership with Select Strategies. Enterprise Ireland says the Forum is in its 11th year and has had over 500 founder participants to date, spanning fields that include digital technologies, medical devices, fintech, food, engineering and construction. The agency describes its objective as providing “a platform for founders to help founders succeed internationally and scale faster.”
Quick Recap
Bestseller No. 5
Best Value
Anker USB C Hub, 5-in-1 USBC to HDMI Splitter with 4K Display
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Rank #4
Sale
UGREEN USB to USB C Adapter Combo 4-Pack, 10Gbps USB C Converter Space Gray
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Rank #3
Sale
Anker USB C Hub, 7in1 Multi-Port USB Adapter, 4K@60Hz USBC to HDMI Splitter
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Rank #2
Anker USB-C Hub, 5-in-1 USB Hub for Laptops, 4K HDMI Multiport Adapter
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
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