NovaUCD and CeADAR Open Applications for 2026 AI Ecosystem Accelerator Programme

- Third programme will support Ireland’s most promising AI-first start-ups to accelerate traction and close investment rounds in 2026

(opens in a new window)NovaUCD and (opens in a new window)CeADAR today announced that they are seeking applications from Irish-based AI start-ups to participate in the 2026 AI Ecosystem Accelerator programme at University College Dublin (UCD). The accelerator is delivered by NovaUCD and CeADAR as part of CeADAR's European Digital Innovation Hub for AI programme which supports Irish start-ups and SMEs innovating with AI.

Now in its third year this 6-month accelerator is designed to support Ireland’s most promising and disruptive AI-first start-ups to accelerate commercial traction for global markets and become investment-ready scalable businesses, with a particular focus on start-ups actively raising and aiming to close a funding round in 2026.

Michelle Doyle, Senior Manager, Strategic Innovation Partnerships, NovaUCD, said, “We are delighted to open applications for the third cohort of the AI Ecosystem Accelerator, delivered by NovaUCD in partnership with CeADAR and supported through the European Digital Innovation Hub framework.

This year’s programme is designed as a conversion engine, supporting ambitious, AI-first start-ups that already have market validation or live pilots underway and are now focused on accelerating traction and closing a funding round in 2026.

We encourage founders who are building globally scalable AI products across a range of sectors including, healthcare, cybersecurity, education, sustainability, finance, content creation, supply chain and customer service, to apply and become part of our growing ecosystem of high-potential entrepreneurs.”

The AI Ecosystem Accelerator programme provides a structured pathway for founders who have moved beyond early ideation and are ready to convert validated momentum into scalable growth and investor readiness.

The programme also delivers a combination of commercial, fundraising and technical supports, including guidance from CeADAR’s AI experts to strengthen AI implementation and readiness for scale. This includes support on data strategy, model evaluation, AI deployment readiness, and ensuring the underlying AI is robust, reliable and fit for real-world use.

A total of twenty (20) start-ups have completed the programme in the last two years, including, (opens in a new window)NestiFi, (opens in a new window)TrojanTrack, (opens in a new window)UniDoodle and (opens in a new window)UnitMode.

Stephen O’Dwyer, Founder, TrojanTrack, who won the One to Watch Award at the conclusion of the 2025 programme said, “I would highly recommend the AI Ecosystem Accelerator programme to entrepreneurs who wish to advance their AI-first start-ups through the programme’s excellent and dedicated technical and commercial supports.

We found our participation on last year’s programme to be brilliant, we learned a huge amount from the NovaUCD and CeADAR teams, programme facilitators, mentors, and fellow start-up participants. We came away from the programme with sharper thinking, real connections, and great momentum for TrojanTrack as we begin to close our €1.3 million seed round.”  

Targeted supports for programme participants also include experienced commercial mentors and practical workshops focused on positioning, value proposition refinement, scaling and investor readiness. Participants will also benefit from access to collaborative co-working space at NovaUCD, with opportunities to connect with successful entrepreneurs, start-ups, corporates, investors and access to skilled interns.

The 2026 AI Ecosystem Accelerator programme, which starts in April, will culminate with an Investor Showcase event, connecting founders with investors and strategic partners at the point they are ready to progress and accelerate their next stage of growth.

Dr Ricardo Simon Carbajo, Director of Innovation and Development, CeADAR, said, “The AI Ecosystem Accelerator is a key service within CeADAR’s European Digital Innovation Hub in AI programme. In partnership with NovaUCD, we support founders to accelerate from traction to investment readiness through a blend of commercial supports and technical guidance. We encourage AI entrepreneurs to apply and benefit from the expertise, network and funded supports available through CeADAR’s EDIH programme.”

The AI Ecosystem Accelerator Programme is funded through the European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH) framework, a Europe-wide initiative supported by the European Commission and the Governments of member states. In Ireland, the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, through Enterprise Ireland, leads on the EDIH programme.

Applications are open via https://www.ucd.ie/innovation/start-ups/aiecosystemaccelerator/

ENDS

28 January 2026

For further information contact Micéal Whelan, Communications and Media Relations Manager, UCD Research and Innovation, e: (opens in a new window)miceal.whelan@ucd.ie.

Editors Notes

Who should apply for the 2026 AI Ecosystem Accelerator Programme

Irish start-ups with:

• AI as a core part of the product and defensibility
• A validated MVP or product already in the market, and/or active pilots underway
• A technical co-founder, CTO, or clear access to AI engineering capability to deliver the roadmap
• Evidence of customer demand and a clear route to scale
• A committed team with the capability to execute quickly.

https://www.ucd.ie/innovation/start-ups/aiecosystemaccelerator/

For further information about NovaUCD visit: (opens in a new window)www.novaucd.ie

For further information about CeADAR visit: (opens in a new window)www.ceadar.ie

The European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) are one-stop shops supporting companies and public sector organisations to respond to digital challenges and become more competitive. Four European Digital Innovation Hubs, including CeADAR, are now operational in Ireland. (opens in a new window)https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/activities/edihs