Launched in 2024, New Frontiers Accelerate is a brand-new residential programme for busy would-be founders. Aimed at those with a high-potential business idea who can’t yet commit to our full-time six-month Phase 2 programme, last year’s pilot took place over four weekends between June and November.
What is New Frontiers Accelerate?
Fully funded by Enterprise Ireland, this free programme helps founders build their business model, create a market entry plan, and then prepare for funding. There are three immersive weekends (mentorship, food, and accommodation are all included too) followed by a demo day (also held at the weekend), where participants pitch to key players from the start-up ecosystem.
As well as the tools, resources, and knowledge founders gain during the residential weekends, they receive wrap-around supports such as a dedicated programme manager, one-to-one mentoring, and webinars. The programme aims to give founders:
- High-impact support and intensive personal development
- A chance to work on resilience and leadership skills
- Coaching and mentoring between residential weekends
- Workshops and masterclasses with experienced entrepreneurs
- An online community of peers for learning, sharing, and collaborating
A boost for potential founders
Anna-Marie Turley, Manager of Entrepreneurship & HPSU Operations at Enterprise Ireland, explained the thinking behind this residential programme.
“There are many experienced individuals in full-time employment with great business ideas who would benefit from some dedicated time to flesh out their ideas and derisk them before leaving the security of their jobs and transitioning into full-time entrepreneurship.
“The pilot New Frontiers Accelerate programme was designed to give people the safety to explore these ideas while remaining in employment. It is all about giving people the flexibility and breathing space to decide what is right for them and to make informed decisions about their entrepreneurial journey.
“New Frontiers is ideal for founders who want to build their startup toolkit, learn about the Irish startup ecosystem, and grow their professional network. This pilot reached those founders who may not have otherwise been able to participate in a full-time programme, offering them a valuable chance to pursue their entrepreneurial ambitions.”
This first Accelerate programme was managed by TU Dublin and overseen by Programme Manager Kilian Duignan. Reflecting on the experience, Kilian shared:
“The applicants we saw were experienced professionals with a high-potential, internationally scalable business proposition. They were looking for a support programme to wrap around their busy schedule. There were a number of products being developed and a couple of platforms (mostly SaaS offerings). There were some major pivots as the programme progresses, but a common theme was innovation and technology that leveraged AI.
“I can attest to the significant progress that every participant made in developing their business idea, specifically in clearly defining the problem they are trying to solve, crafting a meaningful value proposition, understanding the potential size of their market and devising an entry point into that market, building a business model, and thinking about how to fund the next steps in the process.
“Some of the participants will hopefully become Enterprise Ireland clients and others will find alternate paths to scaling. All of them moved the dial in a meaningful way towards their personal end goals.”
Impact of the Accelerate programme
The programme culminated in a demo day, during which participants had the opportunity to pitch to key players from the start-up ecosystem and hone their networking skills.
The feedback from the participants of our inaugural programme has been very positive, and many of our participants are already onboarding clients and generating revenue. Some have gone on to win awards at events such as the National Startup Awards. If you’d like to know more about this programme, head over to our Accelerate page; you can also register your interest below.
Interested in the Accelerate programme?
If you have a great business idea and are interested in applying to the next Accelerate programme (details for 2025 are still to be confirmed), you can leave your details below and we will contact you once the application process is open.
About the author
Scarlet Bierman
Scarlet BiermanScarlet Bierman is a content consultant, commissioned by Enterprise Ireland to fulfil the role of Editor of the New Frontiers website. She is an expert in designing and executing ethical marketing strategies and passionate about helping businesses to develop a quality online presence.
