Five finalists set to compete for the HPSU Founder of the Year Award 2026
38 potential start-ups were eligible for the award this year, however, the list has now been narrowed down to five finalists. Read more: Five finalists set to compete for the HPSU Founder of the Year Award 2026
The High Potential Start-up (HPSU) Founder of the Year Awards 2026 have announced their five finalists, recognizing leaders and innovators in the start-up space. Enterprise Ireland, in partnership with Select Strategies, has selected Breda O’Regan, Mark Birrane, Kevin Sherry, Robert Norton, and Sean Kirwan as the top contenders. The awards ceremony is set to take place on October 15th at the Salesforce Tower in Dublin.
This year's finalists hail from a diverse range of sectors, including digital technologies, medical devices, fintech, food, engineering, and construction. Breda O’Regan, CEO and co-founder of Lia EyeCare, is recognized for her work on Nightleaf, a non-invasive wearable device for eye care and health. Mark Birrane, who founded the confectionary brand Wondr, is celebrated for creating low-sugar, high-protein and fibre sweets. Wondr operates in Ireland, the UK, and across Europe, with aspirations to expand to the US.
Robert Norton, co-founder and CTO of Kaptea, is known for his work on the Pronto platform, a workflow and AI solution. MedWrite AI, led by CEO Seán Kirwan, develops software to streamline healthcare professionals' tasks, working with various healthcare organizations across Ireland. Leah Fletcher, founder and CEO of Dunbar Pharma, Ireland's first EU GMP-certified cannabinoid pharmaceutical manufacturer, is also among the finalists.
Dunbar Pharma has secured significant funding, obtained licenses, developed IP, and launched a novel plant-derived dronabinol API.
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