The Creative Business Cup Ireland (CBC Ireland) is the national chapter of the global championship for entrepreneurs in the creative business space. spanning over 60 countries. It aims to promote innovation among entrepreneurs engaged in creativebusinesses by providing global exposure, mentoring, networking opportunities, and support structures.

Short-listed applicants will be invited to pitch their businesses and attend the CBC Ireland award ceremony and networking event in March 2024 at the new CREW Innovation & Enterprise Hub in Galway. Shortlisted applicants will receive bespoke training and mentorship from CREW’s network of industry professionals to support the development of their pitching skills and business plans before the national finals.

The CBC Ireland winner will receive additional mentoring and support from CREW and the Creative Business Academy, and access to international events and mentorship before leaving for Denmark.

The CBC Global Finals will take place in Copenhagen on June 2-3, 2024.

All expenses for the national winner to travel to Denmark in June 2024 for pitch training, networking opportunities and participation in the international finals will be covered by CREW and CBC-Ireland sponsors. This exciting trip includes networking with fellow entrepreneurs, a marketplace to showcase your business, dinner with foreign ambassadors and a chance to meet international investors and industry leaders.

• Up to ten successful applicants will be invited to Galway to pitch their ideas at the CBC Ireland finals in March 2024 to a jury of distinguished global
  entrepreneurs, investors and creative professionals.
• An awards ceremony and informal networking reception will follow immediately after the pitching session.
• The Irish National Winner will be awarded a trip to Copenhagen, Denmark to compete in CBC Global Finals along with national winners from over 60
  countries!

CBC IRELAND NATIONAL FINALS
All CBC Ireland shortlisted businesses will receive sponsorship to attend the Irish national finals in Galway in March 2024. Teams will also be provided with a bespoke training and mentorship programme to support pitching and business plan development in advance of the national finals.

CBC GLOBAL FINALS
All finalists will be recognised at the CBC Ireland awards in March 2024. The CBC Ireland national winner will then travel to Copenhagen, Denmark to participate in the CBC Global Finals that are held on June 2-3, 2024.

All national finalists participate in networking activities, seminars, training opportunities, and individual mentorship. Five national finalists will be selected to
pitch their business to an audience of international investors and industry experts. The Creative Business Investors Pitch is a dedicated session during the CBC Global Finals. The jury consists of a selection of international investors who have extensive experience investing in start-ups and creative businesses.

CBC IRELAND WINNERS WILL RECEIVE

• Sponsorship to attend the CBC Global Finals in Copenhagen, Denmark in June 2024
• Dublin-Copenhagen flights and accommodation to attend CBC Global Finals for up to 2 team representatives.
• An assigned mentor to help grow your business and prepare for your trip to Copenhagen
• On-going networking, training and mentorship through CREW and CBC-Ireland sponsors

COMPETITION PROCESS

1. Creative Businesses registered in Ireland are invited to submit an application by 2 January 2024 (midnight).
2. Applications will be screened by an expert panel of entrepreneurs, investors and creative professionals. A short-list of up to 10 finalists will be announced by mid-January 2024.
3. Finalists will be invited to participate in CBC Ireland Creative Business Development Programme from January – March 2024. This programme will include virtual and in=person mentorship, masterclasses, workshops and networking activities.
4. CBC Ireland National Finals will take place in March 2024 at CREW’s Innovation & Enterprise Hub in Galway. This day-long even will include business pitches from all finalists, keynote speakers and a networking event.
5. Finalists and winners will be recognised at the CBC Ireland national finals.
6. The winning creative business will represent Ireland at the CBC Global Finals in Copenhagen in June 2024. The winning team must be able to travel to Denmark for the Global Finals.

Finalists will be selected based on the following criteria:

CREATIVITY & INNOVATION

• Change the value chain of Creative Industries or use creative competences to change the value chains on other industries.
• Rely on creative skills as a key to the success of the business.
• Engage customers or others in creative processes.
• Innovate in terms of their product service, social relations, customer approach, market, etc.

BUSINESS EXECUTION

• Have a good team with complementary skills and good experience.
• Demonstrate the presence of financial & strategic flair within the team, thereby combining creative skills with business skills.
• Present a robust business model. 
• Address relevant issues regarding intellectual property rights.

MARKET POTENTIAL

• Investment potential and scalability.
• Unique value propositions.
• Create and impact new markets.
• Present a strong overview of the existing market situation.
• Present a good understanding of risks and possibilities.

Have the core asset of the business based on creative competencies.

• Be commercial, the concept must have market potential.
• Own the right of the idea with which they are entering the competition.
• Be registered as a legal entity in Ireland
• Cannot have received more than 1.000.000 USD of external capital investment in the past.
• Must be able to attend CBC Global Finals in Copenhagen on June 2-3 2024 if selected as CBC Ireland national winner
• Submit application no later than 2 January 2024

For this competition, creative industries include

• Advertising
• Architecture
• Craft
• Design
• Experience and immersive technologies
• Fashion
• Film & TV
• Gastronomy
• Music
• Performing arts
• Publishing
• Photography
• Software/IT
• Toys & games

Profiles of all jury members will be added here prior to application closing date.