Dublin start-up Coroflo wins ESB Spark Of Genius Award 2017

9 Nov 2017

Paul Mulvaney, executive director of innovation at ESB, with Rosanne Longmore, CEO of Coroflo. Image: Filipe Tombo/AFFP

Coroflo fends off stiff competition to secure the €25,000 Spark Of Genius cash prize.

Today (9 November), Dublin-based start-up Coroflo emerged as the winner of the ESB Spark of Genius Award 2017. The awards took place at the Web Summit in Lisbon, Portugal.

Coroflo claims to have developed the world’s first accurate breastfeeding monitor, allowing mothers to know how much milk their baby is getting.

Using a sensor and a companion app, milk volume can be measured in real time, and feeding patterns can be examined over a number of days or weeks.

A competitive event

Coroflo fought off Mobility Mojo, a TripAdvisor-like website that focuses on accessibility, and Electrical Analytics, a company using data and automation to provide actionable intelligence on the health and performance of power transformers.

All three companies came through an intensive process, which involved a live on-air competition on RTÉ 2FM’s Eoghan McDermott Show.

The world-class judging panel in Lisbon included leaders such as Paul Mulvaney, ESB executive director of innovation; Brian Caulfield, Draper Esprit; Stephen Shortt, EO Accelerator; and Kathleen Warner, Techstars.

A game-changing opportunity for Coroflo

Coroflo CEO Rosanne Longmore described the win as a “massive achievement” for the young company.

She added: “From exhibiting here at Web Summit, to pitching our product to global investors and media, this has been a game-changing opportunity for us to grow our business.

“Seeing off stiff competition from the competitors to win the ESB Spark of Genius Award is the pinnacle of our experience here.”

ESB recognising innovation

Mulvaney spoke highly of Coroflo, and the standard of entries for 2017 across the board: “Each year, the ESB Spark of Genius Award recognises the exceptional standard of technology-led start-ups in Ireland.

“Coroflo is a deserving winner and a perfect example of a company that has innovated to harness the opportunities that new technologies bring.”

Past winners of the Spark of Genius Award include Bizimply, Viddyad, Datahug and SmartThings, with OpenBack, a personalised notifications provider, crowned the 2016 winner.

Ellen Tannam was a journalist with Silicon Republic, covering all manner of business and tech subjects

editorial@siliconrepublic.com