Founder of the Year Awards celebrates start-ups supported by Enterprise Ireland
Trade
Mark O’Sullivan, NeuroBell, and Jenny Melia, Enterprise Ireland
Mark O’Sullivan, CEO of medical device company NeuroBell has been awarded the Enterprise Ireland high-potential start-up (HPSU) founder of the year for 2025.
Based in Cork and founded in 2023 Neurobell’s first product, Luna, is a portable brain monitor with AI-powered seizure detection, that enables neonatal ICU staff to quickly diagnose seizures without subspecialty expertise, ensuring timely intervention and treatment.
The Founder of the Year Awards recognise and celebrate the dedication of entrepreneurs and start-ups working to build world-class companies of the future. Five finalists were shortlisted for the 2025 Award, each nominated by their peers and actively engaged in Enterprise Ireland’s HPSU Founders Forum over the past year.
Eoghan Finneran, Senus; Craig Lancaster, Pilot Path; Fergal Meegan, Assiduous; and Brendan Darby, Marama Labs were acknowledged for the achievements of their respective companies to date.
This year marks the tenth year of the HPSU Founders Forum programme, which is delivered in partnership with Select Strategies. More than 480 founders have participated to date from a variety of sectors including fintech, digital technologies, medtech, fintech, food, and sustainability.
On receiving the award O’Sullivan said: “I am deeply honoured to receive this award, particularly as the nominees are selected by Founder peers. Enterprise Ireland has been with us on our start-up journey and we look forward to working them as we scale into the US and European markets. Luna allows healthcare workers in neonatal ICU’s to act quickly with the right information. Our ultimate aim is to grow the business globally, bringing Luna to all hospital settings for the benefit of critically ill infants and their families.”
Jenny Melia, CEO, Enterprise Ireland said: “The Founder of the Year Awards shine a spotlight on the ambition, innovation and resilience of Ireland’s start-up community. These awards are a celebration of the entrepreneurial spirit that drives high-potential start-ups to scale globally. With over 480 founders having participated in the HPSU Founders Forum to date, this initiative continues to be a powerful platform for peer learning, collaboration and growth.
“Enterprise Ireland is proud to support these founders at every stage of their journey, working closely with partners across the ecosystem to ensure Ireland remains a world-class location to start and scale a business. I want to congratulate Mark and Neurobell and all of this year’s finalists for their achievements and commitment to building globally ambitious companies.”
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