UCD spin-out scoops Ideate Ireland startup competition award

MicroJect , a University College Dublin (UCD) medtech spin-out supported through NovaUCD, has been announced as the winner of the first runner-up award at the final of the 2026 IDEATE Ireland startup competition.

The competition is focused on uncovering and empowering Ireland's next generation of student entrepreneurs and graduates, helping to turn their brilliant ideas into thriving international businesses.

MicroJect is developing a novel polymer microneedle-based delivery platform that enables safe and consistent intradermal delivery, without the need for conventional metal needles. The company's multi-outlet, multi-depth platform design ensures accurate and precise delivery into the dermis, while reducing patient discomfort, training requirements, and reliance on sharp metal waste.

Designed for scalability and cost-effectiveness through injection moulding, the MicroJect platform supports a wide range of therapies such as allergy diagnosis, vaccines, and high-viscosity formulations, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional injection devices.