A Cohort Of Fifteen Founders Graduates From New Frontiers In Grangegorman

Fifteen startup founders recently graduated from Phase 2 of the New Frontiers programme at Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) – Grangegorman Campus. After six months of intensive work, guided by Programme Manager Diane Hurley, the founders were awarded their certificates of completion and invited to pitch to an expert panel for the chance to win one of three prizes.

This year’s panel of judges was composed of Hugo Grattirola, Partner at Philip Lee LLP; Mariead Roche, Investment Associate at ACT Venture Capital; Angela Duffy, Director of Resolve Ventures; and Paul Berry, Business Advisor at Dublin City Local Enterprise Office. They heard five-minute pitches from each founder, followed by a five-minute Q&A, before retiring to deliberate and select the prize-winners.

The audience also heard from TU Dublin’s Head of Enterprise, Claire Mac Namee, and Michael O’Dea, Senior Client Advisor at Enterprise Ireland. Ambiance was provided by pianist Mickey Tomas and harpist Eimear Mac Donagh, musical students at the university.

Congratulations to the Investor Pitch Competition 2025 winners, who were:

• Daragh Jordan of Magnate – winner of the Most Investible Startup (€1,000 prize, sponsored by Resolve Partners)
• Xiao Zhang of Alto Health – winner of the Philip Lee Award (€10,000 service voucher)
• Ruairí McLoughlin of Anaula – winner of the Impact Award (€1,000 prize, sponsored by LEO Dublin City)

Speaking after the event, Programme Manager Diane Hurley commented, “We had a diverse group of founders with innovative startups join the Grangegorman programme this year, working in sectors ranging from sustainable consumer products to agritech, healthtech, fintech, and B2B SaaS. Several are working towards Pre-Seed Start Funding (PSSF), while others are leaving New Frontiers with a robust plan to drive sales. We hope the programme provided these courageous early-stage entrepreneurs with a foundation to navigate uncertainties and to move the business forward with a defined roadmap to shape their own version of success. Our advice would be to keep talking to customers.”

New Frontiers graduates from Grangegorman

Graduating from the programme at Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) – Grangegorman Campus are:

Siobhan Dunphy of Bon+Berg

Bon+Berg is a sustainable lingerie brand turning beach trees into the world’s most comfortable intimates.

Daragh Jordan of Magnate

Magnate is software which helps agency leaders manage messaging and tasks more efficiently. By prioritising communications, turning messages into tasks, and using automation, it saves time and helps teams stay focused.

Emily O’ Gorman of Fendr

Fendr is a content moderator platform which protects content creators from online hate in real time.

Seamus Cummins of Aerobeam

Aerobeam is a deeptech startup that is merging drone technology with laser cleaning.

Emma Lynch and Gavin Beirne of Q2Med

Q2Med is developing smart medication procurement software tailored for community pharmacists.

Xiao Zhang of Alto Health

Alto Health is building an AI clinic co-pilot for specialist clinics, starting with referral processing and patient onboarding workflow automation.

Nicole Bonamici of Timbi EU

Timbi EU helps European organisations to access funding and secure European funding.

Judy Ehiguese of SkynCap

SkynCap is a sustainable wig, hair, and styling brand which supports wig wearers of all kinds, from those experiencing hair loss to onstage performers.

Ruairí McLoughlin of Anaula

Anaula is pioneering a circular biotech solution to achieve net zero fertilizers and feed. The startup partners with whiskey distilleries, transforming their nutrient rich water into a powerful medium for algae.

Sean Farmar of CloudLoq

CloudLoq is a cloud-based biometric access solution for large construction sites.

Gavin O’Duffy of Vox Medical AI

Vox Medical AI is posed to transform the way clinical professionals learn, engage, and communicate – improving both patient care and job satisfaction.

Ciara Hoban of Ciara Emilie

Ciara Emilie is a sustainable sea swimwear brand for female sea swimmers who have a need for better-fitting swimwear.

Shane Fleming of PropGen Platform

PropGen Platform is a property development startup on a mission to transform how people buy and sell homes.

Magda Targosz of Mind Compass AI

Mind Compass AI is a scalable edtech SaaS platform revolutionising workforce development for Irish SMEs.

Best of luck to these founders as they take the next steps with their businesses!

Phase 3 selection announced

The programme has also announced the founders who will go on to Phase 3 of New Frontiers, which offers three months of follow-on support that can include an additional tax-free allowance (for eligible participants). The Phase 3 cohort this year is: Seamus Cummins of Aerobeam, Nicole Bonamici of Timbi, Daragh Jordan of Magnate, Ruairi Mc Loughlin of Anaula, and Emma Lynch of Q2Med.

Calling startup founders in Dublin

The New Frontiers programme in Dublin 7 is based in TU Dublin’s newly redeveloped Greenway Hub, a state-of-the-art facility for research and innovation. The New Frontiers Programme Manager in Grangegorman is Diane Hurley. Find out more about Diane and our Grangegorman location or see our upcoming application deadlines (applications for the next Phase 2 in Grangegorman close in November 2025).