Enterprise Ireland's New Frontiers
This is the right time to start your business.
Do you want help to:
- build a successful and sustainable startup business?
- develop your startup business or idea towards income-generating and investor-readiness?
- receive free mentoring, training, incubation space, access to R&D facilities, and financial support (phase 2 and phase 3 only).
If your answer is YES, then apply to join
Enterprise Ireland’s New Frontiers with TU Dublin!
What is Enterprise Ireland's New Frontiers?
Enterprise Ireland's New Frontiers programme is the national funded programme for ambitious startup founders with an innovative business idea that has the potential to scale and provide employment. It offers an exciting and supportive environment to test your idea and start building the foundations of a successful startup.
Programme Details
Programmes are free of charge, but places are offered competitively using the information supplied in the application form. Places are offered competitively using the information supplied in the application form. We recommend talking to the Programme Manager before you apply for an informal discussion on the programmes and application process.
Where is it delivered?
Enterprise Ireland’s New Frontiers Programme offers a supportive environment for aspiring entrepreneurs to turn their innovative business ideas into successful startups. Delivered at 18 locations across Ireland, this national programme provides first-time founders with essential skills, resources, and a strong professional network to help them build investor-ready businesses. In the greater Dublin region, we deliver separate streams of Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3 at TU Dublin in our three campus locations in:
- Blanchardstown,
- Dublin City Centre (Grangegorman), and
- Tallaght
When is it delivered?
We have start dates throughout the year, but we are always actively recruiting for our Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3 programmes, which you can apply for depending on what stage you are at.
It’s easy, just register your interest.
Enterprise Ireland funds the programmes. Places are offered competitively using the information supplied in the application form. We recommend talking to the Programme Manager before you apply for an informal discussion on the programmes and application process.
- TU Dublin – Grangegorman Campus - applications close 17/11/2024 - Phase 2 (full-time, six-month programme). Starts 13/01/2025
Unlike many accelerator programmes, Enterprise Ireland’s New Frontiers programme does not take equity in your business. The focus is on developing your founder toolkit, giving you skills you can immediately put to work in your business (for example, customer research, marketing, or financial planning).
Key features of New Frontiers include:
- A €15,000 tax-free allowance for one founder/co-founder (Phase 2, subject to performance). Founders participating in all three phases experience a support package valued at over €40,000.
- A community of support offering help, advice, collaboration, and feedback when you need it most.
- Understand the Irish startup ecosystem and how it can help you.
- One-to-one mentoring with seasoned business mentors from the Enterprise Ireland Mentor Network.
- Workshops facilitated by industry experts and experienced founders.
- Networking opportunities and introductions.
- Access to R&D facilities and specialist expertise at the institute or university.
- Investment-readiness preparation, including development of a strong business plan.
Who is New Frontiers for?
The programme is designed for early-stage entrepreneurs who:
- Have an innovative business idea with scaling and export potential.
- Are committed to being involved full-time in growing their startup.
- Want to build connections in Ireland’s dynamic startup ecosystem.
- Are looking to gain the skills needed to pitch to investors and build a sustainable company.
What are New Frontiers' core benefits?
Programme core benefits
- Connections: Connect with a vibrant community of founders, business experts, Enterprise Ireland advisers, and Local Enterprise Offices for invaluable support and insights on your journey.
- Confidence: Build the knowledge and confidence to thrive as a founder through a comprehensive programme that equips you to navigate the opportunities and challenges ahead.
- Capital: Benefit from a support package valued at over €40,000 as you build your business (without giving away any equity) and advice to establish your future fundraising options.
New Frontiers has three phases, each designed to offer value at different stages of your entrepreneurial journey. In each phase, you'll benefit from a supportive environment in which to discover the proven tactics, core principles, and best practices behind successful startups.
Phase 1: Part-time sessions to test and validate business ideas (8-10 weeks).
- Part-time workshops held over evenings or weekends.
- Participants explore the market potential of their business idea, evaluate customer needs, and identify their value proposition.
- Phase 1 helps founders make a go/no-go decision about their idea and lays the groundwork for potential entry into Phase 2.
- Key deliverables: The founder’s Go/No Go decision, an outline strategy for proceeding, a Practice Pitch and Business Case Document.
Phase 2: Full-time Incubation (6 months)
- Six-month commitment to develop and refine your business idea.
- Includes mentoring, workshops, milestone reviews and personalised guidance.
- Founder receives a €15,000 tax-free stipend (subject to eligibility and performance) and access to various support services
- Key deliverables: Solid business plan, Pitch deck, and Strategy for securing future funding
Phase 3: Additional support for market launch and funding preparation.
- Available to selected Phase 2 graduates, this phase offers additional financial support and mentoring.
- Participants focus on bringing their product or service to market and preparing for external investment.
- This phase includes further access to co-working space, mentorship, and introductions to investment networks.
Programme Key Benefits
- Access to mentoring, training, and incubation space.
- Comprehensive workshops on customer research, marketing, and financial planning.
- Connections to the Irish startup ecosystem, R&D facilities, and potential investors.
- No equity is taken, allowing founders to retain 100% ownership.
- Expert mentorship from seasoned business mentors and entrepreneurs in Enterprise Ireland’s network.
- Financial support of over €40,000, including a €15,000 tax-free stipend in Phase 2.
- Free access to co-working spaces and R&D resources.
- National reach with a community of founders nationwide.
Eligibility Criteria
Find out if you're eligible to apply by reviewing the eligibility criteria: https://www.newfrontiers.ie/about/eligibility-criteria
Application steps:
- Step 1: Review the eligibility criteria to ensure that New Frontiers is a good fit for you and that no factors might exclude you from the program.
- Step 2: Register your interest here. One of our New Frontiers Programme Managers will guide you through the application process and determine whether to start with Phase 1 or proceed directly to Phase 2.
- Step 3: Apply to the programme.
At TU Dublin, we empower startups through the Enterprise Ireland - New Frontiers Programme, providing incubation space, access to investment opportunities, and various training and informational events. Discover how our support has helped transform ideas into thriving national and international businesses. Explore our clients' success stories below.
Contact our Programme Managers and Programme Administrators to get personalised advice on your application and guidance on the programme phases.
Programme Managers
- Diane Hurley, Enterprise Ireland New Frontiers Programme Manager - City Campus
- Laura Enache, Enterprise Ireland New Frontiers Manager - Tallaght campus
- Sarah Dunleavy, Enterprise Ireland New Frontiers Programme Manager - Blanchardstown Campus
Programme Administrators
- Cassilda Colgan, Enterprise Ireland New Frontiers Programme Administrator - Tallaght Campus
- Glen Creighton, Enterprise Ireland New Frontiers Programme Administrator Blanchardstown Campus
- Laura Murphy, Enterprise Ireland New Frontiers Programme Administrator - City Campus
Join our community of entrepreneurs
- Email us with your query at NewFrontiers@tudublin.ie
- Register your interest
- Follow us on LinkedIn