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
To be announced shortly
