The Irish Times/AIB Start-up Academy kicked off on Monday, with guest speakers Johnny Ryan and Seán Weafer discussing the lean business canvas, and how to become a "world-class networker".
Speaking beforehand, Mr Weafer said that being able to network effectively is “the single most powerful development tool available today”.
He said most people don’t know how to network, which involves knowing how to read a room and have an effective conversation. But developing a networking strategy can be learned.
Dr Johnny Ryan, executive director of the Innovation Academy at UCD, also spoke on the first day of the academy, addressing the finalists on the subject of the lean business canvas.
Over eight weeks, 11 start-ups on the academy will be guided through a curriculum aimed at helping them scale their businesses, nail down their accounting, refine their marketing strategies, test their market fit and find and reach customers.
The finalists consist of: Blanco Nino, Everest Granola, GymChef, Herdwatch, KillBiller, Obeo, Usher, worldBOX.ie, Writing for Tiny, Vanguard Beer Collective and Wyldsson.
