John Hartnett, president and founder of the Irish Technology Leadership Group to link Ireland with Silicon Valley, speaking at the Hartnett Enterprise Acceleration Centre at LIT
Those with business ideas for high-potential start-ups can now apply for the second phase of the Enterprise Ireland-funded New Frontiers programme, which will begin in July at Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT).
The programme itself will run for six months at the Hartnett Enterprise Acceleration centre at LIT.
Enterprise Ireland funds and co-ordinates the €4.2m New Frontiers programme, the aim of which is to spawn new companies that will be eligible for Enterprise Ireland’s high-potential start-up (HPSU) supports.
Applications are now being accepted from entrepreneurs and early stage start-ups with business ideas from a range of sectors, including IT, engineering and electronics, medical devices, biotech, pharma, innovations around food tech, digital media and clean technologies.
Mentoring and a scholarship grant
During the six-month programme, those accepted will get a €15,000 scholarship to kick start their ventures, as well as training and mentoring from seasoned entrepreneurs and experts. They will also become an Enterprise Ireland client and will be assigned a development adviser.
The Minister for Research and Innovation Séan Sherlock has launched New Frontiers. He spoke about how the programme aims to equip people with the entrepreneurial skills to make their business concepts become a reality.
Jerry Moloney, Enterprise Ireland South and South East regional director, said New Frontiers is for people who have an innovative idea and want to learn how to set up and run a company around the idea.
“We are looking for people who can create sustainable businesses with the potential to deliver local employment,” he said.
The deadline for applications to New Frontiers is 8 June 2012. The LIT website has more information.
