PayPal’s ‘Hack For Impact’ hackathon empowers 10 Irish start-ups with digital firepower.
PayPal has successfully concluded its ‘Hack For Impact’ initiative, a 24-hour hackathon designed to support local entrepreneurship by connecting Irish start-ups with digital expertise.
The event, held at Dunboyne Castle in County Meath, brought together 10 local start-ups with over 30 PayPal mentors from across Ireland and Europe.
“As well as having an impact for the start-ups involved, in turn, they can have an impact on the wider community”
Working in collaboration with InnerCity Enterprise, the hackathon provided start-ups with opportunities to discuss their business plans and challenges, while PayPal mentors proposed digital solutions including website design, app creation, and marketing strategies.
Award-winning innovations
Following assessment by the judging panel based on innovation, collaboration, impact, completion, and presentation, three winners were selected:
First place was Treats by Sylvia, an award-winning mini cheesecake business enabled by an ecommerce website. In second place was Mic Drop, a mobile application developed to enable networking and digital tipping for musicians in Ireland. And in third place Vets Near Home, a home call-out veterinarian services provider built on an e-commerce platform with payment functionality.
Eve Brassil, owner of Vets Near Home, expressed her appreciation: “The team have been incredible. They haven’t just developed a website but helped me future-proof my business.”
Diverse start-ups
The event featured a diverse range of start-ups and concepts, including:
- Createnesz Virtual Solutions – A virtual assistance business developing a website booking system with payment functionality and membership area.
- Oliverita – An olive oil business built on an ecommerce platform with blockchain capabilities.
- Perfect Fit Nutrition – A nutrition and wellness website offering advisory-based subscriptions.
- Print Paper Press – A company creating vintage-style newspaper prints through an enhanced ecommerce platform.
- Reflektor Coaching – An online booking and e-learning platform for wellness coaching.
- The Mushroom Butcher – A farm-to-fork organic mushroom business supported by digital inventory management.
- Hug & Hold Doula Support – A provider of doula and early childhood services seeking mobile and e-learning solutions.
Impact Beyond Technology
Paul Ryan, global head of Risk Specialised Servicing and Ireland site lead at PayPal, highlighted the broader significance of the event.
“This hackathon is all about having an impact. As well as having an impact for the start-ups involved, in turn, they can have an impact on the wider community. From digital payments to online booking systems, this event shows the vital role that technology plays in how organisations originate and operate – and, perhaps more importantly, innovate. Through collaboration and expertise, PayPal takes pride in turning such great ideas into real outcomes.”
Evanne Kilmurray, CEO of Inner City Enterprise, added: “PayPal’s Hack for Impact is an incredible opportunity for our clients, who would gain access to professional mentorship and cutting-edge, tailored technical help designed specifically for their unique start-up business needs. I am both happy and impressed to see the innovations and collaborations that emerged from this event and how they made a meaningful difference for our community.”
The judging panel consisted of Evanne Kilmurray, CEO Inner City Enterprise; Neil McDonnel, CEO of the Irish SME Association (ISME); Luigi De Curtis, Senior Director of SMB Europe, PayPal; Paul Ryan, Global Head of Risk Specialised Servicing and Ireland Site Lead, PayPal; and Ciaran Maceochaidh, Senior Director of Global Professional Services, PayPal.
Image at top: Sylvia Kennedy, owner of Treats by Sylvia (middle), alongside PayPal mentors Jelena Silkena and Marta Alvargonzalez
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