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Meet the Team: Ciara Concannon

New Frontiers National Programme Manager, Enterprise Ireland

Ciara Concannon National Programme Manager New Frontiers Enterprise IrelandWhere are you from and how did you get here?

I am from Cork. I joined Enterprise Ireland in 2007 as a senior press officer having come from a PR, journalism, and broadcasting background. I spent seven years in the Corporate Communications Team, leading EI’s press strategy and strategic communications. After completing an MBA with UCD Smurfit School, I moved into a new role in Regional Development & Entrepreneurship – returning to Cork in 2014. In 2024, I was seconded from my role to join the Enterprise Ireland strategy development team, working on the development of EI’s new five year strategy 2025-2029. Delivering for Ireland – Leading Globally was launched in February 2025. Towards the end of that assignment, the New Frontiers Programme Manager role came up for recruitment and I applied and happily got it!

What is it about business and start-ups that so interests you?

What really interest me about business and particularly the start-up space is the dynamism, innovation, and ideation that I get to work with first-hand. I have huge admiration for the commitment and sacrifices that are intrinsic in the entrepreneurs I meet. Having worked in this space for so long, I now personally know many successful companies that I first encountered as solo entrepreneurs with just an idea and a lot of determination many years previously. Their successes really motivate and inspire.

When did you become involved with New Frontiers and what appealed about the role?

For the nine years I worked as a senior regional development executive in our Cork office, I collaborated directly with the New Frontiers team at MTU Cork. Working with the programme was one of my favourite elements of that role so I was thrilled when I was offered the opportunity to lead New Frontiers nationally. Our journey starts with the entrepreneurs we can foster and grow into the scaled Irish successes of the future. I am excited by the opportunity to lead and develop New Frontiers and ensure it continues to support the next generation of entrepreneurs with the confidence, tools, and connections they need to build their ideas into successful start-ups.

What do you feel are the qualities you bring to the role?

My strong communications and strategy development skills, coupled with my many years’ experience working directly with the New Frontiers programme, will help ensure I can make a positive impact in this role. In addition, I thoroughly enjoy meeting entrepreneurs and developing relationships with our partners and collaborators. Regional collaboration is critical to the delivery of New Frontiers and I look forward to nurturing and building those key relationships with our highly valued partners in the institutes, the LEOs, and the BICs – all of whom are incredible supporters of the programme.