IADT Media Cube and NovaUCD Launch €1.6 million New Frontiers Programme to Support Early-Stage Start-ups
The Institute of Art, Design and Technology Dún Laoghaire (IADT) and NovaUCD today welcomed the first cohort of entrepreneurs to its Enterprise Ireland backed New Frontiers programme.
Enterprise Ireland has committed €1.6 million in funding over the next five years on a New Frontiers programme to support up to 265 entrepreneurs in the greater South Dublin area incorporating Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown and North Wicklow.
The launch of this Enterprise Ireland New Frontiers programme will commence with 13 participants selected as part of a competitive process from 56 applicants. Participants are working on early-stage business concepts ranging from fintech, medtech, digital media, innovation in healthcare and food products and software to help organisations embed diversity and inclusion.
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD said, “It is a privilege to launch the New Frontiers programme here at IADT today, delivering this critically important programme to Dún Laoghaire Rathdown. One of the striking elements of this intake is the diversity of sectors they are working on, from healthy eating to software to promoting diversity and inclusion. I wish all the participants the best of luck as they begin the programme.”
The programme will see each participant receive financial support of €15,000 scholarship to cover full-time participation in the 6-month course, as they focus on moving their business from concept to market. Programme participants will be hosted in the IADT Media Cube building and in NovaUCD.
Tom Flanagan, Director of Enterprise and Commercialisation, NovaUCD, said, “I am delighted that our first joint New Frontiers Programme with IADT Media Cube has such fantastic participants. We look forward to working with them to further develop and grow their start-ups into companies with the potential to scale on an international stage.”
Orla Reynolds, New Frontiers Lead, IADT Media Cube said, “Following many years of success with the New Frontiers programme, IADT are delighted to be the lead partner in this collaboration with NovaUCD. The New Frontiers team, mentors and facilitators is exceptional if you want to take the leap and focus on creating a successful business. The energy and camaraderie amongst your fellow participants fuels your drive as they understand the rollercoaster of entrepreneurship. I can’t wait to support our 13 participants on their journey.”
Dr Fiona Kiernan, CEO and founder, Zeumed, a digital health start-up and a New Frontiers participant said, “I’m delighted to be starting the New Frontiers Phase 2 Programme with IADT and NovaUCD. This is a fantastic time to be a digital health start-up. Most importantly, the programme will provide a challenging yet supportive environment for me to develop and hone the business skills that are necessary to lead our team as we move into European markets.”
Caption - Pictured (l-r) Paula Carroll, New Frontiers Programme Enterprise Ireland, Cormac Finn, SideTeams, Fiona Kiernan, Zeumed, David Smith, President, IADT, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, Lisa Geoghegan, SonaLife, Tom Flanagan, NovaUCD; Rachel Gallagher, IADT Media Cube and Conor Duggan, TaxZap. Chris Bellew, Fennell Photography.
ENDS
22 March 2022
For further information contact Micéal Whelan, Communications and Media Relations Manager, UCD Research and Innovation, e: miceal.whelan@ucd.ie or Declan Jackson/Claire Rowley, Drury, e: declan.jackson@drury.ie/ claire.rowley@drury.ie
Editors Notes
For information on IADT Media Cube visit https://mediacube.ie/
For information on NovaUCD visit www.novaucd.ie
For information on the New Frontiers Programme visit https://www.newfrontiers.ie/