ArrayPatch Wins €130,000 in Seedcorn Competition, Advances MedTech

UPDATE: In a stunning victory, Cork-based biotech company ArrayPatch has been crowned the overall winner of the InterTradeIreland all-island Seedcorn Investor Readiness Competition, claiming a substantial cash prize of €130,000 to propel their innovative medical technology forward.

The announcement was made on 14 November 2025, as ArrayPatch also triumphed in the deep tech category during the highly competitive event. The company is revolutionizing drug delivery with its groundbreaking product, DerMap, a next-generation pain-free dissolving microneedle technology aimed at treating conditions like nail fungal infections, skin cancers, migraines, and metabolic diseases.

Dr. Waleed Faisal, CEO of ArrayPatch, expressed his excitement, stating, “Becoming the overall Seedcorn winner is a tremendous validation of our technology and our vision. This recognition shows how much potential DerMap has to reshape drug delivery.” His words highlight the profound impact that this competition has on emerging businesses, underscoring the importance of investor readiness.

The Seedcorn competition, which awarded a total prize fund of €800,000 this year, aims to enhance the investor readiness of innovative startups across the island. Participants benefit from crucial workshops, networking opportunities, and mentorship, helping them secure essential funding for growth. This year, Gigi Supplements and HaPPE Earth each won €100,000 in the B2C and B2B categories, respectively, while Slice of Life, a Dublin-based food startup, received the impact award of €20,000.

ArrayPatch’s success emphasizes the need for innovative solutions in healthcare, particularly as the demand for effective, non-invasive treatments rises. The recognition from the Seedcorn competition not only validates their approach but also accelerates their path towards first-in-human studies for DerMap.

As ArrayPatch prepares for the next stage of its growth, the biotech community will be watching closely. The advancements in drug delivery technology hold the promise of transforming patient experiences, making therapies safer and more accessible.

This development is a reminder of the vital role competitions like Seedcorn play in fostering innovation and supporting startups that are poised to make significant impacts in their respective fields. With ArrayPatch leading the way, the future of medical technology looks promising.

Stay tuned for more updates on ArrayPatch and the broader implications of their groundbreaking work in the biotech sector.