Development programme open for aspiring entrepreneurs in the North West

New Frontiers can help people determine its feasibility through Phase 1 of its three-phase programme. The North West's next part-time programme takes place online and begins on November 5th. It runs over for four weeks and is completely free of charge.

The New Frontiers programme is funded by Enterprise Ireland and delivered in the North West through ATU Donegal and Sligo. Participants have access to co-working spaces at Letterkenny's Co-Lab or Sligo's Innovation Centre, one-on-one mentoring, master-classes, and up to €22,500 in financial support to accelerate the start up.

The programme provides an integrated and comprehensive set of business development supports to participants through its three phases, with the first phase focused on assessing the market potential of the business idea. Phase 2 provides support in developing an investor-ready business proposition, while Phase 3 focuses on implementing the business plan.

According to the Programme Manager for the region, Geraldine Beirne, New Frontiers is perfect for early-stage entrepreneurs with an innovative business idea with export and employment potential. The programme is designed to drive sustainable economic growth for the region and foster and develop local businesses to become key drivers of employment growth in partnership with key stakeholders such as Local Enterprise Offices, Westbic, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Local Development Companies, and County Councils.

One of the strengths of the New Frontiers programme is that participants have direct access to the Atlantic Technological University's expertise and specialisations in areas such as product development, design for manufacture, renewable energy, sustainable technologies, digital transformation and emerging technologies, design, innovation, creativity and enterprise, and life sciences, health and wellbeing. The research collaboration is complementary and invaluable for early-stage entrepreneurs.

The programme's alumni have achieved considerable success, such as Kieran Supple, founder of Reap Interactive. Kieran won the Start-up Innovator of the Year award for his livestock management tool at Enterprise Ireland's Innovation Arena Awards at the National Ploughing Championships last month.