Wayra Dublin selects nine new start-ups to join accelerator

Telefónica’s Wayra start-up accelerator in Dublin has selected another nine start-up companies out of a shortlist of 15 to begin its programme in September.

The start-ups include Beautifuleye, Evercam.io, Haskoin, Legalshin, Xpreso, Fund Recs, Investor Sheet, Restored Hearing and CloudDock.

Wayra start-ups have raised more than €7.5m in funding to date.

Each of the nine start-ups entering Wayra, which is now into its second year in Dublin’s docklands, will receive financing of up to €40,000.

In addition to a dedicated workspace, the start-ups will benefit from a nine-month, intensive commercial acceleration programme with access to expert mentors and favourable commercial terms with leading technology suppliers, including Amazon, Google, PayPal and Microsoft.

The nine start-ups were chosen following a day of competitive pitches and mentoring. The judging panel included David Bowles from Delta Partners, entrepreneur and angel investor Eamon Leonard, Microsoft’s Andrew McAdam, DBIC’s John Phelan, John O’Dea from Enterprise Ireland, Barry Winkless from Katawave, and Eugene Mitchell from Telefónica.

“Wayra is creating an ecosystem that stimulates already highly promising, entrepreneurial initiatives,” said Wayra director Karl Aherne.

“Our role is to provide the platform to help ac­celerate ideas and impact, ultimately with the goal of creating highly investable businesses. For the selected start-ups announced today, Wayra presents a huge opportunity to drive their business forward, leveraging the global network of Wayra accelerators, resources and customer access,” Aherne added.

The nine start-ups entering Telefónica’s Wayra start-up accelerator in September