09 May Dr. Patrick Cronin Wins Big Ideas Pitch Award
Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) was delighted to attend Enterprise Ireland’s annual Start-Up Day 2025 at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on the 7th of May, where over 600 entrepreneurs, investors, and innovation stakeholders gathered for the country’s largest start-up showcase.
We are also very proud to announce that Dr. Patrick Cronin, representing the Powfreq project—funded by Enterprise Ireland’s Commercialisation Fund and based at the University of Limerick—took home the prestigious Big Ideas Pitch Award at this year’s event.
Led by Dr. Marcus O’Mahony (UL) and supported by Dr. Patrick Cronin (IMR), Powfreq was recognised for its groundbreaking potential following a competitive pitching competition between Commercialisation Fund projects.
Dr. Cronin’s compelling three-minute pitch captivated a judging panel of venture capitalists and start-up experts. In a memorable opening line, he quipped:
“Today I’m going to get you excited about pipes and powders.”
Behind the humour was a powerful insight: a US$270 billion edge-AI sensor for manufacturing market growing at 25% per year—with a real and relatable challenge at its core.
From blocked baby bottles to blocked industrial pipes, the inconsistency in powder processing has wide-reaching implications. Dr. Cronin explained how even large-scale producers of infant formula face serious inefficiencies due to variations in milk powder stickiness, leading to costly blockages, energy waste, and equipment downtime.
Current sensors fall short. That’s where Powfreq steps in.
A Sensor That Thinks Like an Engineer
Powfreq is developing a robust edge-sensor technology for inline, real-time analysis of powders in transport pipes—measuring particle size and stickiness. The result? Better quality powders, reduced reliance on expensive compressed air, increased throughput, and a significant cut in operational costs.
Backed by three of the world’s largest infant formula producers, Powfreq’s sensor is already in advanced development and testing. The initial serviceable obtainable market is valued at US$8.4 billion, with early applications in infant formula, medicinal food, and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
In his pitch, Dr. Cronin likened the sensor to:
“The Smartwatch or Garmin of powder production—monitoring and controlling the heartbeat of the manufacturing plant.”
Recognition and What Comes Next
Winning the Big Ideas Pitch Award comes with more than just national recognition. Dr. Cronin and the Powfreq team will now participate in the UC Berkeley Venture Capital Executive Program, a five-day intensive designed to accelerate deep-tech start-ups and connect them with global investors.
“It’s exciting to get that validation,” said Dr. Cronin in a post-win interview. “Being viewed as ‘high potential’ by a panel with such deep experience is a fantastic endorsement.”
The award was presented by Enterprise Ireland Chair Michael Carey, who praised the calibre of research and commercialisation talent in Ireland. Carol Gibbons, EI’s Head of Entrepreneurship, also highlighted the importance of collaboration, reinforcing the agency’s ethos of “le chéile”—together.
IMR is proud to continue supporting early-stage innovation like Powfreq, helping bridge the gap between advanced research and commercial success.
To learn more about this technology, please visit www.oscil.ie or get in touch with IMR.