New Frontiers - Waterford Institute of Technology

The New Frontiers Entrepreneur Development Programme is for people with new ideas who are starting scalable knowledge based businesses and have the potential to be transferred to Enterprise Ireland’s High Potential Start-up Unit. It is a structured programme that supports promoters to learn new skills critical at the start-up phase and guides them in the transition to successful self employment. Waterford Institute of Technology has been running the Entrepreneur Development Programme successfully for over sixteen years supporting companies such as Immersive VR Education www.immersivevreducation.com , Sonru www.sonru.com/, Stitcher ads, www.stitcherads.com/, Taoglas www.taoglas.com, Scurri www.scurri.com, Hybrid Energy www.hybrid.ie and Near Form www.nearform.com. The programme has in the past supported projects diverse as medical components/devices, social media, original food products and software.

The New Frontiers Entrepreneur Development Programme is co-located at the ArcLabs Research and Innovation Centre in Waterford Institute of Technology and at the Enterprise and Research Incubation Centre (ERIC) in IT Carlow. Both Centres have strong track records of successfully providing a business incubation environment that supports entrepreneurial development and company growth. The partnership between the two Institutes provides an extensive support network for wider regional business development.

This three-phase programme will provide a professional practical support programme targeted at people who are in the early stages of setting up a technology-based or knowledge-intensive business. Training and support will be provided by experienced practitioners through a structured delivery and assessment process which will provide the required assistance and guidance for the development of commercially viable enterprises.

Phase 1	Phase 2	Phase 3
Business Feasibility	Business Development	Business Commercialisation
6-8 weeks part-time	6 months full-time	Customised supports
Validating the business idea	Structured training	Route to Market strategies
Prepare detailed application for Phase 2	Business Mentoring	Secure investment
	Investor pitch preparation	Scale the business
	Free Hot desk facilities
	Enterprise Ireland funding of €15,000 (conditions apply)
	Investor-ready Business Plan
	Value proposition
	Fully explored business proposition

Applicants should be prospective entrepreneurs who have a well thought-out innovative business idea or technology that has the ability to be developed into a scalable high potential start-up company. Applicants should have enthusiasm, confidence and single-mindedness about setting up and running your own business. They should also be committed to spending time on researching the market potential and launching a business. Ineligible businesses include consultancy, training or retail businesses as they would not be regarded as 'an innovative business idea or an innovative technology.

The next Phase 1 programme of New Frontiers will commence in September 2021 at Waterford Institute of Technology and will be delivered on a part-time basis. If you would like to be considered for Phase 1 of the programme please submit your completed application form by no later than Tuesday, August 31st 2021. The next Phase 2 programme of New Frontiers will commence in December 2021 over a 6 month period.