Cork firm shortlisted for regional finals of international start-up awards

A Cork-based vehicle specialist development company has been shortlisted in the Western Europe regional finals of the Global Startup Awards.

Hibra Design, a vehicle development company which specialises in clean technology power, has been shortlisted in the Greentech Startup of The Year category.

The Global Startup Awards celebrate the people and organisations building the next generation of innovation across the world.

Finalists are selected by an expert jury sourced from across 154 countries.

As a Western Europe Regional Finalist, Hibra Design will be in the regional round where category winners will be announced on February 18.

Winners from each region will progress to the global finals, which will be held in Valetta in Malta this coming May.

The Cork company is also the only Irish start-up nominated across all of the categories.

Founded in 2022, Hibra focuses on delivering sustainable and bespoke vehicle solutions for the public and private sector, with clients including in Europe and the Middle East.

Hibra also secured an international tender to develop battery technology solutions for South Africa public transport vehicles.

The Hibra chief executive is Mike Keane, who previously worked for the Williams Formula 1 team as the head of engineering in their advanced engineering division.

Mr Keane told The Echo that it means a massive amount to all involved with Hibra to be recognised and also to represent Ireland on the international stage.

“It is a huge deal and it is a huge this for us. We are the only Irish company globally nominated.

“Any kind of recognition on an international scale is always really important for any company to showcase what they do.

“For me there is also an added element as well, we build tangible things. We design and develop vehicles and we build the vehicles.

“We are delighted with having got this far.” A quarter of the final score is based on public voting and members of the public can support Hibra Design in the Greentech Startup of The Year category by casting a vote online at

competition-system.globalstartupawards.com.