Susan’s app keeps finances on track

A Broadford entrepreneur has pioneered a new iphone and Android App to help people keep track of their cash transactions.

Susan Lynch has developed CashCal in collaboration with the Interaction Design Centre at the University of Limerick.
Designed to monitor a person’s day to day financial spend, CashCal fills the gap between the time of purchase and the arrival of bank or credit card statements.
Ms Lynch explained this new app will allow people to literally access the most up to the minute spend balance while on the move and at the touch of a button.
“The idea came to me when I tried to find a gadget, app or home accounts software that would help me track my own household spend.
“What I found was either too complicated, overloaded and not immediate. I thought if I can’t find it then perhaps I should create it. This is exactly what I did,” she said.
Patrick Cross, David Kaneswaran, Aaron Mulhall, and Kevin O’Sullivan were introduced to the CashCal project by Mikael Fernstrom, head of the Interaction Design Centre at the college.
According to Mikael Fernstrom, ‘It has been amazing to see how a novel idea from an entrepreneur can be rapidly turned into a commercial app by our UL graduates. If we could do more matchmaking like this, Ireland’s outlook would be bright”.
The team developed a prototype for CashCal as the most viable one-stop mobile cash tracking solution.
Patrick Cross, managing director of Appidae says the success of this design is that it is simple, easy to use and you can carry it wherever you go.
“Cashcal takes advantage of the high tech functionality of to-day’s top smart phones providing you with real time feedback on where your money is being spent. 
“By simplifying the act of tracking your spending, CashCal will improve your understanding of your personal finances and save you money along the way,” he said.
The CashCal App was developed with the support of an Enterprise Ireland Innovation voucher, an initiative designed by the government agency to support small companies in the early developmental stages.
It matches companies with a viable idea to researchers with the technical expertise to find innovative ways of ­overcoming challenges while giving products a more ­competitive and commercial edge for the global market place.
Patrick O’Brien, Enterprise Ireland’s Innovation Vouchers Programme manager said,  “CashCal is a prime example of the kind of inventive products that are emerging from our Voucher Initiative and we are delighted to see such a practical mobile app being launched on the commercial market”. The project was also supported by Clare County Enterprise Board.
A graduate of University College Cork, Susan Lynch is a full-time director of Collins Building & Steeplejack Services based in Ardnacrusha, a company founded by her mother, Dr Angela Collins-O’Mahony.
A pioneering female ­steeplejack, Dr Collins-O’Mahony was the first ever recipient of the Veuve Cliquot Business Woman of the Year in Ireland in 1980 and also received the Bowmaker Business Award.