Nine Start-Ups Selected for Second AI Ecosystem Accelerator Programme at University College Dublin
- Programme is a key service of Ireland’s Digital Innovation Hub for AI run by CeADAR in partnership with NovaUCD
The nine (9) start-ups selected to participate in the second 6-month AI Ecosystem Accelerator Programme, which is being delivered by NovaUCD and CeADAR, Ireland’s Centre for AI, at University College Dublin (UCD), have been announced today.
The participating start-ups are; Ailtir, Leapifai, NestiFi, PacSana, Reactable AI, Run Audit, TrojanTrack, UniDoodle and UnitMode.
See start-up profiles below.
The focus of the programme, which has just commenced, is to support a cohort of entrepreneurs who are developing disruptive AI solutions in sectors including; advertising, construction, content creation, cybersecurity, education, finance, healthcare and sportstech, for a global market.
The AI Ecosystem Accelerator Programme is funded through the European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH) framework, a Europe-wide initiative with funding of €700 million from both the European Commission and the Governments of member states. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, through Enterprise Ireland, is leading on the EDIH programme for Ireland.
Pictured (l-r) at NovaUCD are; Sean Boyle, founder, UnitMode; Denise O’Grady, founder, UniDoodle and Allen Corcoran, Chief Product Officer, TrojanTrack.
Michelle Doyle, Senior Manager, Strategic Innovation Partnerships, NovaUCD, said, “I would like to congratulate the nine start-ups which have been selected, following a very competitive selection process, to participate in our second AI Ecosystem Accelerator programme. Over the next few months, we will be supporting this dynamic cohort of Irish start-ups and entrepreneurs who are focused on using AI technologies to deliver a range of disruptive products and services, for the benefit of society, not only here in Ireland, but on a global stage. I wish them every success over the coming 6-months.”
Pictured (l-r) at NovaUCD are; Donagh Ó’Buachalla, co-founder, Ailtir; Dr Beibei Flynn, founder, Leapifai and Feargal Duignan, founder, PacSana.
Targeted supports for participants over the next 6-months include guidance from CeADAR’s AI experts, and experienced commercial mentors, along with workshops on value proposition, scaling and investor readiness. Participants will also have access to collaborative co-working space at NovaUCD with the opportunity to connect with successful AI entrepreneurs, start-ups, corporates, investors and access to skilled interns.
Dr Ricardo Simon Carbajo, Director of Innovation and Development, CeADAR, said, “The AI Ecosystem Accelerator programme is one of the key services of CeADAR's European Digital Innovation Hub programme. The CeADAR and NovaUCD teams look forward to supporting the participating entrepreneurs, who are leveraging the power of AI, through our knowledge, expertise and networks, as they accelerate their start-ups to the next stage of their entrepreneurial journeys.”
Pictured (l-r) at NovaUCD are; Brian Egan, co-founder, Reactable AI; Dr Beibei Flynn, founder, Leapifai and Donal Kerr, co-founder, Run Audit.
Among the eleven (11) start-ups which completed the inaugural programme in 2024 were, Customs Window Technologies, a RegTech start-up co-founded by Brian Murphy and Johnny Dunne and Wrksense, an AI-driven HR tech start-up transforming high-volume recruitment co-founded by Andrew Connolly and Ruaidhrí McDonnell.
The 2025 AI Ecosystem Accelerator Programme will end with a showcase event in October.
ENDS
22 May 2025
For further information contact Micéal Whelan, Communications and Media Relations Manager, UCD Research and Innovation, NovaUCD, e: miceal.whelan@ucd.ie.
Editors Notes
Profiles of Participating Start-ups
Ailtir is revolutionising the construction tendering process with its AI-powered platform that dramatically reduces the time and cost of bid preparation. By automating document analysis, simplifying compliance checks, and providing data-driven bid/no-bid decision tools, the company's SaaS platform enables construction firms to pursue more opportunities with greater efficiency and higher success rates. The company’s founders are Donagh Ó’Buachalla and Adrian Smith. https://www.ailtir.ai/
Leapifai has developed an AI-enabled digital tax copilot that delivers real-time, reliable tax advisory guidance and streamlines tax research. Leapifai empowers accountants to handle their clients’ tax-related queries more effectively and efficiently, reducing costs while adding clarity and potentially greater values to their clients’ specific tax situations. The company’s founder is Dr Beibei Flynn. https://www.leapifai.com/
NestiFi is using AI to revolutionize family wealth-building by democratising access to investments for children. The platform provides an AI-powered collaborative investing environment where parents, grandparents, and extended family can contribute to a child's financial future while utilising ‘Sebastion’ a personalized AI assistant that offers investment guidance and financial education. The company’s founder is Niall Dennehy. https://www.nestifi.money/
PacSana helps older people to remain independent for longer. Insights provided from the company’s Smart Bracelet inform the client’s care circle when an intervention is needed and how best to respond. In doing so, PacSana prevents falls and other emergencies that can escalate care needs. Waterproof, with a 365-day battery life the smart bracelet is exceptionally easy to manage for older adults. The company’s founder is Feargal Duignan. https://pacsana.com/
Reactable AI is an AI-based marketing tool for growing your online reach. It makes social media posts, marketing materials, sales landing pages, videos and more. It’s called Reactable because it learns and reacts to how things you create perform. Then it optimises them for better engagement and reach. The more you use Reactable, the better your online content is. It allows smaller businesses, with lower marketing budgets, to skip hiring a marketing agency. The company’s founders are, Szymon Adamiak, Brian Egan, Barry Gough and Michał Malewicz. https://www.reactable.ai/
Run Audit is developing an automated audit, risk and compliance software using AI to augment the work output of skilled auditors and consultants. Run Audit is solving the complicated and arduous cybersecurity audit process with machine learning and AI powered software. The company’s solution is a 10x cost improvement, automated, self-learning and easy to use. The company’s founders are Donal Kerr and Tony Hughes.
TrojanTrack helps equine trainers and owners spot problems before they become injuries. Using just a smartphone and AI, TrojanTrack turns short videos of a horse walking into powerful biomechanical insights. It is non-invasive, built for busy yards, and gives trainers a new way to monitor movement with confidence. The company’s founder is Stephen O’Dwyer. https://www.trojantrack.ie/
UniDoodle is an AI-powered student response system that is making life easier for teachers and lecturers worldwide. In live classrooms and lecture halls, educators can check in with students instantly, creating interactive questions, displaying answers in real time, and energising learning. Teachers also use UniDoodle to assign and correct homework, track progress, and identify students at risk. UniDoodle, a spin-out of Maynooth University, is the brainchild of inventor Dr Seamus McLoone and was founded by Denise O’Grady. https://www.unidoodle.com/
UnitMode sets a new standard for sustainability in marketing, giving brands the confidence to communicate environmental claims that are clear, compliant, and trusted. With emerging regulations and fines of up to 4% of global turnover for misleading green claims, the UnitMode platform gives brands the tools to stay compliant, avoid reputational risk and communicate credibly to consumers. The company’s founder is Sean Boyle. https://www.unitmode.com/
AI Ecosystem Accelerator - be part of an ecosystem of successful AI entrepreneurs and advance your AI start-up with our dedicated technical and commercial supports. www.ucd.ie/innovation/aiecosystem/
NovaUCD has been nurturing and supporting high-tech start-ups with global potential since 2003. NovaUCD has developed an excellent and expanded infrastructure and a suite of comprehensive business support programmes, dedicated accelerators, and an ecosystem of mentors, investors and industry partners that help to nurture an enthusiastic and dynamic community of start-ups and established companies, to grow and scale on the global stage. NovaUCD was originally funded through a unique public-private partnership that included AIB; AMD; Arthur Cox; Deloitte; Enterprise Ireland; Ericsson; Goodbody and UCD. www.novaucd.ie
CeADAR – Ireland’s Centre for AI, is the national centre and the European Digital Innovation Hub for AI in Ireland, supporting organisations across Ireland to explore, experiment with, and integrate AI into products and processes. Established in 2013 and funded by Enterprise Ireland and the IDA, CeADAR bridges the gap between academic research and industry needs, accelerating the journey from concept to market-ready solutions. With a strong focus on business impact, CeADAR empowers companies to boost productivity, competitiveness, and sustainability through innovative, real-world AI applications. 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. https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/activities/edihs