New Frontiers

New Frontiers Entrepreneur Development Programme – We are now accepting applications for Phase 2 (commencing December 2018).

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The New Frontiers Entrepreneur Development Programme, funded by Enterprise Ireland, will be delivered twice annually across the South East region by Waterford Institute of Technology and Institute of Technology Carlow. Over an intensive 6 month period, participants will learn how to establish and run a new high growth company. Participants will also hear from start-up promoters such as David Whelan, CEO & Founder of Immersive VR Education, Patsy Carney, CEO & Founder of EirGen Pharma, Edward Henrick, CEO & Founder of Sonru, Richard Rodger, Co-Founder of NearForm and CEO & Founder of Voxgig, and from many others about their start-up journey.

If you believe that you are capable of building a new company, creating employment and generating revenue and export sales from Ireland, act now and apply for a place on Ireland’s largest entrepreneur development programme. If you would like to be considered for Phase 2 of the programme at Waterford Institute of Technology please complete the New Frontiers Application Form and Lean Canvas (download below) and submit to the New Frontiers Programme Manager [email protected] by no later than Wednesday, October 31st 2018, by 16:00 hours:

New Frontiers Application Form Phase 2

Also, check out the New Frontiers Entrepreneur Development Programme website and blog. It shows the benefits of the programme and offers advice to help people thinking of starting their own business. You can find it on www.newfrontiers.ie

For more Information see our frequently asked questions

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New Frontiers Programme at WIT

New Frontiers is for potential entrepreneurs who have a well thought-out innovative business idea or an innovative technology that has the potential 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 and should be committed to spending time on researching the market potential and launching a new business.

This intensive training and support programme provides desk space, mentoring, business master classes, networking plus €15,000 in financial support to accelerate business start-ups across the Southeast region. The New Frontiers programme is now entering its sixth year and is ready to accept new applications. Phase 1 of the programme will commence in Waterford in September 2018 on a part-time basis, with Phase 2 commencing in December 2018.

New Frontiers Brochure

For more information on the New Frontiers Entrepreneur Development Programme in this institute and of other students around the country click the link below

New Frontiers Entrepreneur Programme Information

What is the New Frontiers Programme?
Where is it based?
How will it work?
Who is eligible to Apply?
What supports are offered?
Duration of Programme

What is the New Frontiers Programme?

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.

Where is it based?

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.

How will it work?

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

Who is eligible to Apply?

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.

What supports are offered?

Shared office accommodation in the Arclabs Research & Innovation Centre located at Waterford Institute of Technology or at the Enterprise & Research Incubation Centre located at the Institute of Technology Carlow
Business advice
Access to training and consultancy services of partner organisations
Introduction to networks of mentors, venture capitalists and other support agencies
Personal mentoring relevant to grow the enterprise or product development under the programme mentoring scheme delivered by experts in the field of business management and development
Eligible to apply for Enterprise Ireland Support funding up to a maximum of €15,000 for participants who proceed to proceed Phase 2 of the programme (conditions apply)

Duration of Programme

The next Phase 1 programme of New Frontiers will commence in September 2018 at Waterford Institute of Technology and will be delivered one evening per week over an eight-week period. The next Phase 2 programme will commence in December 2018 over a 6 month period.