BIC client, Sonru Ltd, the online video interview company based in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, has won the National Final of the Bank of Ireland/Business Innovation Centre’s Bright Ideas Challenge with a top prize of €100,000 interest free loan and the title of the National Bright Ideas Winner.

From left to right Michael Maddock, South East BIC; Fergal O’Byrne, Sonru;
Aidan Shine, South East BIC and Edward Hendrick, Sonru

Held in the House of Lords, Bank of Ireland, College Green in Dublin last night, Sonru excelled against stiff competition to beat finalists from Dublin, the South and the West of the country.

Other finalists included, from Dublin, RendezVu a new e-learning venture co-founded earlier this year by Paul Groarke and Garrett Hussey. From Galway, Eventovate has created an innovative suite of software for the hotel industry, enabling them to generate more value and profit from their events business. From Cork, ResourceKraft Limited provide software-based services which collect energy use data and analyse it in real-time, thereby providing management and staff with the essential information necessary to identify waste and reduce energy consumption quickly and effectively.

Sonru’s innovative ‘software as a service’ (SaaS) is an automated online video interview tool with applications within the recruitment, education, training and CRM sectors.  The remote nature of the Sonru process eliminates scheduling and the need for two people to be online at the same time.  Currently, Sonru has four product offerings:
• Recruitment: online interviews
• Interview Coaching: online interview preparation
• Schools: language exams and assignment setting
• Call Centres: technical/language proficiency

Edward Hendrick, Founder of Sonru, commenting on the win said “We are thrilled to win the National Bright Ideas Challenge. The competition was intense but we are delighted that the judges decided in our favour. Our products are truly scalable and the company has the potential to grow into a global player. Winning this award will enable us to grow faster, evolve our products at a greater pace and consolidate the gains we have made.”  Sonru’s CEO, Fergal O’Byrne added, “Winning this award is a huge bonus for the company, its shareholders and clients. All the team worked really hard to ensure we gave ourselves the best opportunity of success. We would particularly like to thank the South East BIC team for all their efforts and support since the company’s inception. This award will be the substrate on which we grow and evolve the company internationally and become a major player in the online video space.”

Commenting on the National win, Michael Maddock, CEO South East BIC said “We are truly excited and thrilled for Sonru, who have been clients of the South East BIC for more than two years now. They are worthy winners of this national award as they have worked tirelessly to bring this innovative service to market. They are a clear example of the type of quality entrepreneur we have here in the South East. Also, it is great to see the partnership develop between the BICs, Bank of Ireland and Kernal Capital in bringing real tangible and pragmatic assistance to start up companies in these straightened times. “
For more information, please contact:
Michael Maddock,
South East BIC, Unit 1A, IDA Industrial Estate, Cork Road, Waterford
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Phone: 051 356300, Web: www.sebic.ie

About the Bright Ideas Challenge
The Bright Ideas Challenge is open to all start-ups, SMEs, sole traders or social enterprises considered to be an innovative product or service; an exciting export opportunity; a company with high growth potential and a strong management team.
About South East BIC
The South East BIC provides tailored support to innovative enterprise from concept to commercialisation. Established in 1995, the South East BIC is a specialist provider in the Government’s portfolio of supports to indigenous industry, supported under the National Development Plan. They provide support with incubation space, feasibility studies and business planning, through to expansion of existing businesses into new markets and new product development.  The team at South East BIC have extensive business exposure, technical expertise and the commercial and financial skills needed to help entrepreneurs. They are part of an expert network of similar BICs in Ireland and over 200 Business and Innovation Centres throughout Europe.

About Bank of Ireland Business Banking
Bank of Ireland is a full service business bank with the most comprehensive Business Start-Up package available to new businesses, featuring a business current account that has a range of banking services free of charge for two years, and a suite of internal and external offers specifically tailored for the new enterprise. Bank of Ireland’s service is delivered through a network of over 600 business bankers, including a Business Advisor in every one of the 270 branches nationwide.