In TU Dublin, we support Start-ups through the Enterprise Ireland - New Frontiers Programme, Incubation Space at TU Dublin, access to investment opportunities and training and information events. See how our support helped our clients grow an idea into national and international companies. Read their success stories below.
2017 Graduate, Pierce Dargan, of Equine MediRecord
Pierce Dargan is former TU Dublin, Greenway Hub, Grangegorman client and graduate of the 2017 TU Dublin New Frontiers Phase 2 Programme. Pierce founded Equine MediRecord with co-founders Simon Hillary and Finlay Dargan in 2016. The cloud-based platform helps transform and digitise the equine industry by managing regulatory aspects of racehorse and sport horse medicines and animal welfare compliance.
Diane caught up with Pierce last week to get an update on some of the company’s achievements to date since graduating from the TU Dublin New Frontiers Programme.
Diane: “What would you consider to be your most successful achievements since finishing up the New Frontiers Programme?
Pierce: “Last year we had a hugely successful year as we managed to secure $10 million of funding from a US private equity firm to fund the growth of the company and really drive adoption of its compliance platform. Equine MediRecord was also awarded Ireland's Best Tech Start up at the National start up Awards 2022.”
Diane: “What has been the most challenging part of the journey as entrepreneur to date?”
Pierce: “Probably starting. I set up the business with the founding team straight out of college. I had so much to learn as I had never started a business before nor had I had a full-time job in the business world. I had to quickly learn the skills required to run a business. New Frontiers really helped in this process”
Diane: “Where do you plan EquineMediRecord to be in five years?”
Pierce: “In five years I hope to have our Equine MediRecord system used every day on every continent globally, bar Antarctica, with millions of horses having their welfare ensured by our system.”
Global Reach:
Equine MediRecord has been approved by equine regulators in countries such as Ireland, United Kingdom, France, United States and Saudi Arabia. The Equine MediRecord platform has also been used by some of the top horse organisations in the world such as the Breeders Cup World Championships, The Saudi Cup, The Arabian Racing Organisation, 1S/T Racing (at the Pegasus World Cup and Preakness Stakes) and the Maryland 5 Star.
Diane Hurley
New Frontiers Programme Manager
TU Dublin Hothouse, The Greenway Hub, Grangegorman, D7
Newfrontiers@tudublin.ie
Pierce Dargan
Equine MediRecord https://equinemedirecord.com/
About TU Dublin New Frontiers Programmes
New Frontiers is the national entrepreneur development programme, funded by Enterprise Ireland. The programme is designed for ambitious early-stage founders with innovative business ideas, and runs on all three TU Dublin campuses; Blanchardstown, Grangegorman and Tallaght.
The programme enables founders to bring their businesses from concept through to investment readiness. Through the programme, entrepreneurs connect with and leverage TU Dublin’s knowledge base and facilities, and plug into the enterprise ecosystem across the greater Dublin region.
The Programme supports entrepreneurs to generate employment, to scale internationally and to create economic impact in the regions served by the University.
Last year, the TU Dublin team supported a total of 147 Founders with expert workshops and mentoring over the three-Phase programme. The founders come from a wide range of industries, including Software, Engineering, Food innovation, Med Tech, Fin Tech, Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Climate Tech and Sustainability.
