Irish start-up mBryonics is creating the technologies and infrastructure to enable a space-based internet. Using laser data transport networks, they are building a communications infrastructure for deep space missions to Mars, the lunar surface and back here on Earth. http://www.mbryonics.com/

Can't find the right words to share your feelings? Huggnote is an app that that uses the power of music to connect. Whatever you w

AptaGold, an Irish based project, has been awarded funding to develop a saliva-based screening process to detect Covid-19 in minutes for rapid intervention.   Based on mixing patient saliva samples with specially selected DNA strands called aptamers, if Covid-19 virus proteins are present, these particles lead to a visible colour change in minutes. Aptamers can be produced at a much lower cost than antibodies, so the production can be easily scaled up to meet demand in Ireland and abroad. Funded by Science Foundation Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and the IDA, the collaboration involves researchers at Irish Universities and Hospitals. https://www.sfi.ie/research-news/news/covid-19-research-ireland/

Hexafly produces a range of sustainable, natural commodities through insect farming. They take in the raw material bioproduct and use insects to upcycle that waste into valuable sustainable products such as organic fertiliser, high protein animal feed, sustainable insect oil and natural chicken feed. They believe insect farming is the most efficient form of farming in the world in terms of the amount of protein produced per square metre and resources needed. There is also a 90% reduction in CO2 emissions compared with other farming methods and it is also the most efficient when it comes to water usage.

Irish start-up SoapBox Labs specialises in automatic speech recognition (ASR) and natural language processing (NLP) for kids.

Acoustic and vibration materials in aerospace are very thick due to high levels of low frequency noise generated at the launch and separation stages of space flight. This reduces the space available for the payload (cargo) of the shuttle which is sensitive to vibrations and risks getting damaged during transportation. SoundBounce has the potential to change the industry in terms of larger payloads and lower cost per payload. Created by Irish company Lios, SoundBounce is acoustic protection material originally developed to protect human hearing. Lios is working with the European Space Agency to develop and test new acoustic components.