business-startup.ie

The high street banks' profitable stranglehold on foreign exchange transactions continues to be challenged by Irish start-up CurrencyFair. The company hosts the world's first ever person to person foreign exchange marketplace and  has delivered on its promise to return the huge swathes of charges, commissions and spreads that banks currently grab to the customer. Since launching in May 2010, CurrencyFair’s customers have saved over €1 million when comparing their rates with typical Bank exchange rates.

SmartBuilder Software Ltd today announced the launch of SmartBuilder1, a powerful web-based mobile software system, for the Irish and UK construction markets. SmartBuilder1, which works on Android smartphones and tablets, is the first complete system of its type for the construction market. It is focused on saving contractors time and money and on helping them to bring in buildings with zero defects.

MuteButton, which has developed a novel medical device to successfully treat people suffering from permanent tinnitus, has secured a €200,000 investment from Enterprise Ireland. Permanent tinnitus is estimated to affect over 20,000 people in Ireland alone and over 40 million people globally. The funding will enable MuteButton to accelerate large scale clinical trials of its tinnitus treatment device and to secure ISO certification in advance of regulatory approval and device manufacturing. The company plans to launch its new device into the market during 2013.

The launch of a new internationally focused credit analysis company based in Cork was announced today by Minster for Finance, Michael Noonan.  Founded by ex senior executives of Standard & Poor’s, the company, Rockboro Analytics, supported by Enterprise Ireland, will create 50 high calibre jobs in Cork over the next five years to provide expert credit assessment solutions for banks, insurers, investment managers and corporations globally.