Eight Innovative Startups Graduate From New Frontiers In Waterford

At the end of June, eight founders graduated from Phase 2 of the New Frontiers programme in Waterford, where our Programme Manager is Dr Eugene Crehan. The showcase event marks the end of an intensive six months for the startup founders, during which they receive a number of supports (including mentoring and a tax-free allowance of €15,000) while they build a solid foundation for their business.

Showcase day is also an opportunity to recognise the stand-out participants from the programme. This year, the Most Innovative Business Idea award (for the concept that is most innovative or uses innovative technology) went to Tom Weldon of Lagertha; the Best Business Opportunity award (for the concept that has best prospect for early adoption in the market and strong growth potential) went to Brian Cusack of Supp Genie AI; and the Best Business Plan award (for the best researched business plan with a credible go-to-market strategy) went to Clare Mansfield of Flowering Fertility Support.

The event at South East Technological University (SETU) – Waterford Campus was attended by various stakeholders from the startup community including Dr Patricia Bowe, Head of Department of Management and Organisation at SETU; Dr Thomas O’Toole, Dean of Faculty of Business at SETU; and Ciara Concannon, National New Frontiers Programme Manager at Enterprise Ireland.

In his address, Dr Thomas O’Toole remarked, “SETU is more than a place of learning; we are an anchor university for the South East, working to ensure our region is vibrant, competitive, and forward-looking. The New Frontiers programme is a leading example of how SETU delivers on this vision. Through New Frontiers programme, SETU is building the skills, confidence, and networks that founders need to succeed, and in doing so is directly supporting Enterprise Ireland’s strategy to increase the number of new start-ups and scaling businesses in line with their Strategic Plan 2025-2029.”

Speaking at the event, Programme Manager Dr Eugene Crehan praised the cohort for their engagement throughout the programme. “I would like to commend you on your dedication in staying focused on the market opportunity, increasing your knowledge of your market and developing solutions for your target market customers. I hope that you can continue on your growth trajectories and that several of you will follow in the footsteps of former Waterford New Frontiers participants who scaled their businesses securing investments and Enterprise Ireland’s PSSF and HPSU funding.”

New Frontiers cohort in Waterford

The graduates from the programme in Waterford are:

Joseph Casey of Water Wall

Water Wall is an entirely new approach in the pretreatment of seawater prior to its use in a desalination facility. The innovative solar-powered desalination solution ensures a more contaminate free and cost-effective process.

Brian Cusack of Supp Genie AI

Supp Genie is an AI-driven platform that drastically reduces supplement research time for freelance formulators, ensuring compliance, accuracy, and synergy.

Jennifer O’Connell of ReMe Wellness

ReMe Wellness is on a mission to deliver science-led, hormone-free nutraceutical and digital solutions for men and women navigating menopause, andropause, cancer recovery, and autoimmune challenges – beginning with cognition and brain health.

Thomas Weldon of Lagertha

Lagertha creates autonomous drones that safely detect and neutralise landmines, restoring land and saving lives with precision satellite-linked AI.

Clare Mansfield of Flowering – Fertility Support Services

Flowering Fertility Support helps people emotionally and practically on their path to parenthood.

Deirdre McCarthy of AllSkills Tech

FLIT Financial Literacy is an AI-backed, personalised software platform which identifies financial opportunities and supports for different lifestages and circumstances.

Dave Minogue of HyperConnect

HyperConnect is a modular platform combining smart ticketing, geo-triggered content, and real-time CMS for mid-sized events and festivals.

Denis Queally of Awaken Botanical

Awaken Botanical crafts fully natural, synergistic herbal supplements – personalised through Dúlra, a revolutionary AI wellness guide – empowering ethical, science-backed, holistic self-healing.

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

Keynote speaker: Paul Savage

The audience was also invited to hear insights from speaker Paul Savage, a programme alumnus and COO of Brightbeam. Paul – an experienced technology entrepreneur who has led a range of early-stage startups through significant growth – shared his perspectives on leveraging agile thinking and action to identify and overcome challenges. He encouraged New Frontiers founders to engage with their target market to understand the lived experiences of prospective customers. He also discussed the capabilities of AI and gave advice on how early-stage businesses can harness it to, for example, analyse customer insights, iterate product design, test product-market fit, and manage resources.

Phase 3 selection announced

National Programme Manager Ciara Concannon also announced the Phase 2 graduates who have been selected to join Phase 3 of New Frontiers, which provides follow-on support, a monthly stipend, and guidance to prepare for raising investment. The Phase 3 participants this year are: Brian Cusack of Supp Genie AI, Tom Weldon of Lagertha, Dave Minogue of HyperConnect, and Denis Queally of Awaken Botanical.

Calling startup founders near Waterford

The New Frontiers programme in Waterford is based in the ArcLabs Research & Innovation Centre, located on the grounds of the South East Technological University (SETU) West Campus in Waterford. Learn more about New Frontiers Programme Manager Dr Eugene Crehan, the programme in Waterford, and if you have a business idea and are considering applying to New Frontiers, keep an eye on our upcoming application deadlines.