The finalists for the ESB Spark of Genius Award competition have been announced.

Three finalists were chosen from a shortlist of 15 who pitched to a panel of judges at the Web Summit HQ on September 15. Each startup had four minutes to impress the judges.

Ayda, Bizimply and Soapbox Labs were chosen to proceed to the final at the Web Summit in November.

Ayda is a fertility tracker that only needs to be worn by women while they sleep.

Bizimply is a people and shift management programme.

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Soapbox Labs produces software to assess children's reading skills using speech technology and adaptive learning.

One of the three finalists will win €25,000 after pitching at the Web Summit, as well as assistance with their business. Previous winners include Love and Robots and Smart Things, which was recently acquired by Samsung for a reported $200m.

The judging panel consisted of Helen McBreen, Atlantic Bridge, Shay Garvey, Frontline Ventures and Chad Nitschke, Insure.VC..

ESB judge Mary Collins said: “The amazing calibre of companies we saw present at the final of the ESB Spark of Genius stage highlights the real talent and entrepreneurial spirit that exists in Ireland today. The success of previous winners proves that this competition is an important launch pad to the world stage of technology and ESB is delighted to help them on their journey.”

The competition was open to Irish start-ups in operation for less than three years and who have received less than €1 million in funding to date. 170 startups entered this year’s competition. Entrants are judged on the uniqueness of the startup, the level of development already reached and the potential for future growth.