The Creative Business Cup is the destination for creative minds, innovative thinkers and future leaders. It is a global competition involving more than 60 creative entrepreneurs, brilliant keynote speakers, juries, and investors. Creative entrepreneurs, industry experts and international thought leaders come together to form a community that focuses on promoting innovation and creative business efforts. The global competition and conference concentrates on new creative and cultural businesses in the creative industries to motivate, sharpen and develop the entrepreneurs of tomorrow.
CBC Ireland is delivered by CREW in partnership with, and supported by, the Western Development Commission.
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 June 2025 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 September 14-16, 2025.
All expenses for the national winner to travel to Denmark in September 2025 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, and an opportunity to pitch to international investors and industry leaders.
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 June 2025. The CBC Ireland national winner will then travel to Copenhagen, Denmark to participate in the CBC Global Finals that are held on September 14-16, 2025.
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
COMPETITION PROCESS
Finalists will be selected based on the following criteria:
CREATIVITY & INNOVATION
BUSINESS EXECUTION
MARKET POTENTIAL
Have the core asset of the business based on creative competencies.
For this competition, creative industries include
2025 Jury
Danielle Townsend
Danielle Townsend is a designer, educator, and strategist committed to advancing the design sector as a centre of excellence while supporting early-career graduates. As the founder of BOUNCE, Danielle has created an event at the intersection of experimentation, process and critical discourse inspiring design professionals and fostering meaningful connections across the creative community. Alongside her work with BOUNCE, she serves as a Board Director at the Institute of Designers in Ireland (IDI) and works as an independent design and education consultant, leading initiatives to enhance professionalism in the sector, elevate academic standards, and bridge the gap between industry and education.
Danielle co-founded The New Now graduate platform, a pioneering talent directory connects early-career designers with employers, providing crucial support as they launch their professional journeys. With a background in practice and education, she served as Director of Programmes and Head of Department in higher education, and has developed and taught on design Masters and Degree programmes across Ireland, serving as external examiner, and contributing to numerous validation panels, shaping the future of design education.
An advocate for design excellence, Danielle is actively involved in assessing a range of prestigious awards, including the ISTD Student Awards, IDI Graduate Design Awards, 100 Archive, Irish Print Awards, Universal Design Awards for the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design, and, most recently, the European Design Awards. Her passion for advancing typographic standards is reflected in her role as a member and assessor for the International Society of Typographic Designers (ISTD) and as a panel member for the 100 Archive (2022–2027).
Danielle’s work extends to the government forum for the Commercial Creative Sector under the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) and Creative Ireland, where she is leading the development of programmes that address research, professional accreditation, and graduate opportunities. She is particularly focused on exploring the intersection of creative leadership and entrepreneurship, contributing to the growth of Ireland’s commercial design landscape.
With significant experience in graphic design, Danielle has led numerous commercial projects and remains committed to lifelong learning, often engaging in educational programs herself. Her dedication to fostering innovation and excellence continues to inspire the next generation of creatives and drive meaningful progress within the design sector.
Emily Brady
Emily Brady is a dynamic entrepreneur and a strategic leader in next-generation software solutions and digital media. She combines Partner level at global consulting giant Unisys, Executive IT Leadership positions, and several Technology start-ups. Emily brings deep expertise in IT and business strategy to every venture she started and for the many start-ups she supports, guides and mentors.
In 2017, Emily founded Elcaso Network Ltd, making a bold move into the world of Over-The-Top (OTT) content creation. Under her leadership, Elcaso has successfully designed, produced, and marketed two major online kids’ shows—the globally acclaimed Elena and Clara Show and Doll Time HD Show. These series have garnered over 1.5 million followers, 800 million views, and 80 million watch hours, earning YouTube’s prestigious Gold and Silver Play Awards. Available on platforms like YouTube, Roku, Amazon Fire, Apple TV, and HappyKids, Elcaso’s content captivates young audiences worldwide.
Operating from its Galway-based studio, Elcaso has established an international footprint, with 99% of its audience outside Ireland, including key markets in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and the Middle East. The company has also collaborated with global toy giants such as Disney, LEGO, Mattel (Barbie), MGA (LOL), Moose Toys, and Zuru to create engaging branded content.
Emily’s expertise in entrepreneurship, digital content strategy, and global brand partnerships makes her an inspirational speaker for women in business and media.
Emily founded Elcaso Network Ltd in 2017; operating from Galway, Elcaso has established an international footprint, with 99% of its audience outside Ireland, including key markets in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and the Middle East. The company has also collaborated with global toy giants such as Disney, LEGO, Mattel (Barbie), MGA (LOL), Moose Toys, and Zuru to create engaging branded content.
Paul Bason
Paul Bason is Reader in Digital and Creative Industries at Manchester Metropolitan University. Paul has a background in managing complex multimedia projects for prestigious museums and galleries around the world, including as the Creative Director for, at that time, the world’s largest audio-visual exhibit at Expo 2000 in Hannover.
At MMU he has responsibility for building relationships with broadcasters, agencies and other companies in the North West’s digital media sector. Paul has a particular interest in how digital media can be used for new approaches to education economic growth and social change. Paul also led elements of the development of the university’s new School of Digital Arts, a £35m future media school that opened in 2021.
Recently, Paul has been leading the universities input into a £2.5m UK Cultural Development Fund (CDF) project that will provide refurbished spaces for creative businesses, and other initiatives to provide opportunities for people in Stockport to participate in creative projects or business enterprise.
Robert Rosenberg
