Innovative start-up Dia Beta Labs is developing transformative treatments that take a holistic approach to metabolic disease management.
Young Northern Ireland business Dia Beta Labs has been named overall winner of the 2024 INVENT Awards.
The firm also secured the top spot of the brand new BioBreakthrough category.
“Fostering entrepreneurship and celebrating innovation are at the core of our long-standing partnership with Catalyst, and crucial to developing a strong and resilient local economy”
Organised by science and technology hub Catalyst with headline partner Bank of Ireland UK, INVENT is the highlight event of the year for early-stage start-ups and aspiring entrepreneurs to showcase their innovations to a panel of expert judges.
At an award ceremony held in the ICC Belfast on Thursday 3 October 2024, twelve finalists competed for the main prize, with Dia Beta Labs Ltd triumphing overall and taking home £25,000 from the total prize fund of £55,000. Each category winner took home £5,000.
An innovative and future-thinking company, Dia Beta Labs Ltd is developing transformative treatments which take a holistic approach to metabolic disease management. These treatments provide high quality, sustainable weight loss through preferential targeting of fat whilst sparing muscle. Additionally, they rescue insulin-producing cells of the pancreas which are lost over time as the disease progresses.
A high water mark for innovation
“Fostering entrepreneurship and celebrating innovation are at the core of our long-standing partnership with Catalyst, and crucial to developing a strong and resilient local economy,” said George Higginson, Managing Director, Northern Ireland and UK Strategic Partnerships at Bank of Ireland UK.
“Each year the INVENT Awards showcase what can be achieved when the right conditions are provided to help entrepreneurs grow, scale and thrive.
“That approach to developing an entrepreneurial spirit is at the heart of our partnership with Catalyst, working with local talent to deliver innovative solutions to real world issues.
“Congratulations to all the finalists, and particularly to Dia Beta Labs Ltd who have shown how thinking differently about an existing issue can result in an innovative solution. I very much look forward to seeing their continued development and success.”
Outliers in their categories
Reflecting the different forms that innovation can take, INVENT refreshed its awards into six new categories this year: Green Horizons, Living Well, Creative Leisure, BioBreakthroughs, Unchartered Ideas and Future Business. In addition to the six main categories, INVENT also selected a winner for both the best student and inclusive innovation.
The INVENT Awards category winners on the night were:
- INVENT 2024 Overall – Dia Beta Labs Ltd
- BioBreakthroughs – Dia Beta Labs Ltd
- Creative Leisure – KIJN
- Future Business – Equipple
- Green Horizons – e-breathe
- Living Well – CyberSyd Ltd.
- Unchartered Ideas – TalkTerms Ltd
- Inclusive Innovation – Galvani TECH
- Student INVENT – Vibrotect
The twelve finalists each took to the stage at the awards ceremony to give a one-minute elevator pitch for the chance to win £1,000 as voted for by the audience. Judged as the best pitch and winner of the additional £1,000 on the night was MediPacks Ltd.
The Catalyst for Change Award was awarded to Leeann Monk-Özgül, Co-Founder of Access Elemental. The award recognises and celebrates individuals who are driving positive change within the entrepreneurial ecosystem by offering pro bono support. Leeann was in great company with two other outstanding nominees, Adrienne Hanna, Founder & CEO of Right Revenue, and Eddie McGoldrick, Co-Founder & Chair of Joulen.
“We are so proud and amazed by the huge level of talent within the INVENT 2024 finalists and would like to congratulate everyone involved, especially our winners on the night,” said Fiona Bennington, Director of Entrepreneurship and Scaling at Catalyst.
“Innovation comes in many forms and so by refreshing our categories this year we were delighted to welcome a host of new and creative ideas across different industries. At Catalyst we are focused on fostering inclusive innovation and so are delighted see the level of entries from people from different background continue to rise each year.”
Main image at top: Dr Ryan Lafferty (second left), Chief Executive of overall INVENT 2024 winner Dia Beta Labs Ltd, is presented with his trophy from George Higginson, Managing Director NI and UK Strategic Partnerships, Bank of Ireland UK. Also included are Fiona Bennington, Director of Entrepreneurship & Scaling, Catalyst, and Steve Orr, Chief Executive, Catalyst
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