The Matchbox: Fueling Startups, One Match at a Time

🌟 The Matchbox: Ireland’s First Co-Founder Matchmaking & Startup Spark Night 🌟

Ever had a brilliant idea but no team to make it real?
Or dreamed of joining something exciting, but didn’t know where to find the right people?

Welcome to The Matchbox — Ireland’s first dedicated co-founder matchmaking event, hosted by Cocoon in collaboration with UCD Netsoc and the International Student Society.

This is not just another networking event.
This is a startup playground where techies, creatives, business minds, and visionaries collide to pitch, connect, and ignite the next big thing.

✅ Network freely with EVERYONE — not just attendees, but also the hosts, judges, and mentors.
✅ Color-coded wristbands help you instantly spot your crowd (tech, design, business, social impact, etc.).
✅ Rapid networking rounds let you meet as many potential co-founders, collaborators, or teammates as possible.
✅ Mini-pitch session gives you the mic — share your idea in 1–2 minutes and inspire the room.
✅ Audience voting decides the night’s favorite idea.
✅ Winner’s prize: the best pitch, as chosen by the crowd, will receive a €500 grant to help bring their idea to life.
✅ A room charged with startup energy — whether you come with an idea or just your energy, you’ll leave inspired, connected, and ready to build.

🗓 Date: 5 November 2025
⏰ Time: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 Location: Astra Hall, UCD Student Centre

🔥 This is your chance to spark real connections, find your next co-founder, and kickstart the next wave of innovation.
One room. Endless ideas. One spark to change everything.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher UCD International Student Society (ISS)