awards

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).

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.

On 1st April, 13 founders from Phase 2 of the New Frontiers programme in the Midwest region were celebrated at the TUS Startup Awards, hosted by TUS Hartnett Enterprise Accelelaration Centre in collaboration with University of Limerick’s Nexus Innovation Centre.

The awards event is an important milestone for founders as they finish up the six-month, full-time programme which helps entrepreneurs develop their capacities as founders while they validate their business proposition and move towards generating revenue.

With an attendee list that included members of the local and regional startup ecosystem (including key colleagues from TUS and UL, Local Enterprise Offices, BICs, etc.), this was a day to champion innovation in counties Limerick, Clare, and Tipperary.

Ciara Concannon, National New Frontiers Programme Manager at Enterprise Ireland, praised the new alumni. “I warmly congratulate the entrepreneurs that have completed this year’s programme at TUS and wish them every success in achieving their ambitions to grow the success stories of the future […] Many of the entrepreneurs we support through New Frontiers have gone on to start and grow valuable businesses that have created employment and have made a significant contribution to regional and national prosperity.”

Award winners at New Frontiers in Limerick

This year’s event recognised four standout founders from the cohort of 13:

• (Joint winners) Best Innovation: David O’Keeffe of SeeGap and Stephen O’Sullivan of I Left You A Note.
• One to Watch: Jon Harrison of StatrDraft
• Overall Startup of the Year: Cathal D’Arcy of Bergo

Professor Vincent Cunnane, President of TUS, highlighted the broader importance of the startups celebrated, saying, “Today’s event showcases the strength of entrepreneurial ambition in our region, and the value of supporting that ambition through New Frontiers […] It’s particularly encouraging to see innovation emerging in areas of national importance, such as housing and energy — areas where fresh thinking and practical tools can help support broader societal goals.”

The New Frontiers Programme Manager in Limerick is Mary Casey. Speaking at the event, she note that, “New Frontiers is a demanding programme – but that’s exactly why it delivers. The programme gives them the structure, accountability, and network to move faster and further than they could on their own. They’re developing business models, piloting with customers, validating their markets, and in many cases, preparing for or actively raising investment.” Learn more about Mary Casey and our Limerick location or see our upcoming application deadlines.

New Frontiers 2024 cohort in Limerick

New Frontiers accepts applications from a wide range of sectors. These founders had business ideas that spanned sectors ranging from climate tech to digital health to consumer insights. The alumni of the 2024 cohort are:

Cathal D’Arcy of Bergo (specialist BER assessment software)

The platform equips Building Energy Rating (BER) assessors with digital tools to create digital floor plans, automate calculations, improve accuracy, and streamline compliance – addressing a critical step in how homes and buildings are evaluated for energy performance (used for home sales, rentals, public grants, national energy reporting, and discounted mortgage rates).

Dave Gilligan of Reminisce (digital platform)

Reminisce helps families preserve and share the heartfelt stories of their loved ones, creating a lasting legacy through a beautifully designed digital platform and artisan-crafted memorial products. Unlike traditional memorial services, Reminisce is an interactive experience which aids in story creation and enables collaborative storytelling, allowing families to contribute memories, reflect on their shared history, and keep their connections alive across generations.

David O’Keeffe of SeeGap

SeeGap helps consumer brands build a more loyal and profitable customer base, by optimising their packaging using QR codes.

Ger Tobin of SparkSeeds (edtech platform)

Sparkseeds helps parents and teachers of neurodivergent children aged 12 and under. The platform helps develop social and emotional skills, literacy, speech, and language through nature-based activities using gamified storytelling.

Jon Harrison of StatrDraft (sports platform)

StatrDraft is a next-generation fantasy football platform that redefines how fans engage with the sport. Unlike traditional fantasy games, StatrDraft introduces exclusive draft-style gameplay (turn-based), ensuring every team is unique, and every player’s performance matters. The platform integrates both the English Premier League (EPL) and Women’s Super League (WSL), making fantasy football more inclusive, engaging, and strategic. It also eliminates the hassle of manual cash collection by providing seamless in-platform payment processing for private leagues.

Keith O’Leary of ScanSafe (digital platform)

Scan Safe is a comprehensive digital solution for the construction industry, designed to elevate safety and streamline operations. Their goal is to transform traditional safety management by replacing cumbersome paperwork with an intuitive digital system, thereby reducing workload and enhancing compliance.

Kevin Mounsey of FarmFlow Solutions (agritech)

FarmFlow Solutions is transforming the animal feed supply chain through a comprehensive platform that connects farmers, feed mills, co-ops, and delivery drivers, enabling real-time feed ordering, inventory tracking, and delivery coordination. It provides co-ops and farmers with advanced forecasting solutions for bulk deliveries, such as meal and fertiliser, through tailored mobile applications.

Michael Maul of Subtimize (management platform)

Subtimize is a SaaS license management platform that helps businesses reduce software waste, optimize costs, and prevent renewal issues by providing automated tracking, usage insights, and centralized control over subscriptions – cutting unnecessary SaaS costs by up to 30%. Unlike complex enterprise tools or manual spreadsheets, Subtimize is simple, efficient, and built with the needs of growing SMEs in mind.

Stephen O’Sullivan of I Left You A Note (SaaS platform)

I Left You A Note works with hotels to protect their reputation and revenue through guest feedback and guest communications. With more private feedback from guests during their stay, issues can be identified and resolved in real-time, leading to better satisfaction, better loyalty, better public reviews, and better revenue.

Tania O’Halloran of Abstrakta (digital platform)

A compliance and knowledge management platform for universities, Abstrakta unlocks unpublished cancer research, ensuring failed experiments and hidden findings are structured, compliant, and actionable. The AI-driven platform prevents redundant studies and accelerates breakthroughs.

Annemarie Gillman of Totpots (food)

Healthy snacking for little ones just got an upgrade! Totpots offers nutrient-packed jellies designed for busy parents and growing kids. With pre-biotic fiber, essential vitamins, and a fun, mess-free format, Totpots makes healthy eating effortless.

Andra Lupea of Planex360 (management platform)

Planex360 is puting an end to scheduling nightmares – transforming employee and fleet management with a unified platform designed to streamline operations, reduce staff dependency, and cut costs.

Sean Dzokesayi of Abbantu (gaming)

Abbantu is transforming gaming accessories with modular controllers that allow players to replace buttons and joysticks instead of the whole controller – saving money and reducing waste.

Calling new founders in the Midwest!

Do you have an innovative business idea? Are you thinking of founding a startup in the Midwest? Discover what you can expect from the New Frontiers programme in Limerick in our interview with New Frontiers Programme Manager Mary Casey and Gillian Barry, TUS Head of Innovation & Enterprise.

On 21st February, a new cohort of founders graduated from Phase 2 of the New Frontiers programme in Carlow and delivered their four-minute pitches to a platform of judges and potential investors.

The event at South East Technological University’s Carlow Campus was attended by a range of stakeholders from the startup ecosystem including Professor Marie Claire Van Hout, Vice President of Research Innovation and Impact at SETU; Colin Hayes, Managing Director of Netwatch Ireland and UK; and Ciara Concannon, National New Frontiers Programme Manager at Enterprise Ireland. Alumna Audrey Vance of Activity Time (a previous Best Pitch winner) talked about her experience of the programme and her progress since finishing New Frontiers 12 months ago.

Two awards were given following the pitches: Best Pitch went to Ciara Herit of HurlingKeeper.ie and Most Innovative Business went to Kevin Barrett of Genotrial.

Ciara Concannon shared that “It was a difficult decision for the judging panel, but I am incredibly proud of all the groups for their achievements and the progress they have made over the past six months. New Frontiers provides unparalleled support to founders, helping them expand their networks, build confidence, and secure capital. The €40,000 support package plays a crucial role in this, enabling them to focus entirely on growing their business.”

New Frontiers 2024 cohort in Carlow

The latest cohort of graduates from Carlow are:

Ciara Herity of HurlingKeeper.ie

An online platform offering specialised coaching resources and training programmes to develop hurling and camogie goalkeepers through real-game scenarios and expert insights.

Rob Brown of Hourglass

A social networking platform aiming to make scrolling less mindless.

Peter O’Hare of Eirguard

Innovative cyber security governance and compliance products for non-corporate organisations.

Keith Tracey of Benefeet

An in-house manufacturing solution for podiatrists streamlining the 3D scanning and printing of insoles.

James Byrne of Grab and Grow

High-protein, low-calorie iced coffee beverages, combining the benefits of coffee and protein shakes for health-conscious consumers.

Caroline Gethings of Anú Heritage

Consultancy services focused on conserving and recording Ireland’s cultural heritage through a holistic and research-based approach.

Kevin Barrett of Genotrial

Using AI to analyse patient health records and genomic data, rapidly matching patients with suitable clinical trials to streamline the recruitment process.

Fergus Gleeson of Fostering Connect

A GDPR-compliant and streamlined communication tool for foster carers and agencies.

Following graduation, four founders have been accepted onto Phase 3 of New Frontiers, which will provide follow-on support and guidance: Ciara Herity, Fergus Gleeson, Keith Tracey, and Kevin Barett. Best of luck to all the graduates as they take the next steps with their businesses!

Calling startup founders near Carlow

The New Frontiers programme in Carlow is delivered by South East Technological University (SETU) and the New Frontiers Programme Manager is Gemma Purcell. Find out more about Gemma and our Carlow location or see our upcoming application deadlines.