CONGRATS! Tipperary entrepreneur wins innovation award for her unique startup

A Tipperary entrepreneur has been recognised for innovation at this year’s Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) Startup Awards, which highlighted emerging businesses with strong growth potential.

Sarah Hayes, co-founder of Fastwave and from Newport, Co Tipperary, received the Best Innovation Award for a platform focused on competitive swimming that automates and standardises competition entry.

The system replaces fragmented manual processes with a single, data-driven platform, simplifying how competitions are organised and delivered.

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The awards, hosted at The Engine in Limerick City, marked the culmination of the Enterprise Ireland New Frontiers programme at TUS, supporting founders to build scalable, innovation-led businesses.

Also recognised on the night was Calm & Free, the paediatrician-led skincare venture co-founded by Dr Rachel Power, which was named Startup of the Year, while the One to Watch Award went to Clare entrepreneur Hugh McNally for his automotive platform CarPal.

The event featured a keynote from John Cleary, founder and CEO of Eventmaster, who shared insights from building and scaling a technology company across Ireland and Europe.

More than 100 investors, business leaders and representatives from support agencies and higher education institutions attended the event.

The programme is delivered through the TUS Hartnett Enterprise Acceleration Centre, in collaboration with UL Nexus, and supported by the Local Enterprise Offices in Tipperary, Limerick and Clare, alongside AxisBIC, Propelor BIC and Limerick Chamber Skillnet.

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The cohort reflected a strong mix of sectors critical to Ireland’s future economy, including life sciences, sustainability, software, AI and consumer products.

Professor Vincent Cunnane, President of TUS, said: “Programmes like New Frontiers are critical in strengthening Ireland’s pipeline of innovation-led, export-focused companies. At TUS, we are proud to support founders as they move from early ideas to scalable businesses.”

Ciara Concannon, National Programme Manager for New Frontiers at Enterprise Ireland, said: “The Limerick cohort reflects the strength of innovation emerging from the region, supported by a highly collaborative ecosystem that helps founders build real momentum.”

Applications for the next New Frontiers programme at TUS are now open.