Tallaght

New Frontiers is Enterprise Ireland’s national programme to support startup founders – delivered at 18 different locations around the country. TU Dublin delivers the programme at three different campuses. The Programme Manager at the Tallaght Campus is Laura Enache. We sat down with Laura to learn more about her process and methodology.

Laura Enache, Programme Manager at TU Dublin – Tallaght Campus

Laura’s approach to running the programme is influenced by her deep focus on fostering communication, collaboration, and personal growth. As a programme alumna herself, Laura knows firsthand the challenges that entrepreneurs face, and her experience as a marketer, businesswoman, and now a programme manager, shines through in every aspect of her work.

From the outset, Laura introduces programme participants to the importance of community. One of her core beliefs is that teamwork and networking are pivotal to success, which she emphasises from day one. She helps participants build meaningful connections through peer-to-peer coaching and group discussions, encouraging them to help each other tackle the business challenges they face. Using the GROW coaching model (Goal, Reality, Options, Way forward), she creates small groups of participants to share insights and find solutions collaboratively.

One challenge Laura noticed early on in her role was that participants often struggled with monthly reporting, an essential part of tracking their progress through the programme. To address this, she leveraged the peer-to-peer model, asking participants who excelled at completing reports to share their best practices with the group. This learning approach helps ease the burden on those who find the task challenging and fosters a greater sense of community, with participants stepping in to support one another. It’s another example of how Laura prioritises collaborative problem-solving and learning from within the group.

Creating a cohesive group dynamic is a priority for Laura. At the start of the programme, she introduces participants to the Myers-Briggs Personality Test, a tool she finds invaluable for improving communication and collaboration. Each participant completes the questionnaire and then shares their results with their cohort, so that everyone is familiar with each other’s behaviour preferences. Many past participants have found this exercise to be transformative, not only improving their teamwork during the programme but also going on to apply the insights within their own businesses when building teams or resolving internal conflicts.

Laura incorporates team-building exercises and training from the beginning of the programme – with activities to help break the ice and encourage participants to get to know each other on a deeper level. By fostering early connections, she ensures that participants feel comfortable collaborating and sharing knowledge from the outset. An Excel file allows participants to list their strengths and areas where they need support, helping to build a solid foundation of trust and mutual aid. Throughout the programme, founders with expertise in a particular area (for example, marketing, using Figma, branding, etc.) are given the opportunity to teach those skills to the rest of the group. The results are clear: participants report stronger relationships and a greater willingness to offer and receive help throughout the programme, making the environment not only educational but supportive.

But Laura’s commitment to feedback doesn’t stop there. She actively listens to participants and refines the programme based on their input. From introducing workshops around sustainability, mindful leadership, and balance and boundaries for startups through to appointing a spokesperson to streamline feedback, Laura’s adjustments ensure that the programme remains relevant and practical.

The Phase 2 New Frontiers programme at Tallaght is front-loaded, meaning that the majority of activities, workshops, and other learning experiences are concentrated in the first three months of the programme. This ensures that participants establish solid foundations early on, setting them up for success as they move into the second half of the programme, when they focus on putting their newly acquired toolkit to work in the business.

New Frontiers in Tallaght is delivered at the Synergy Centre, a state-of-the-art business incubator located on-campus. TU Dublin’s size, breadth, and focus on practical, industry-aligned education, combined with strong entrepreneurial support, give founders countless opportunities for networking and growth. TU Dublin is very active in this space, with initiatives such as ivenTUre (a student entrepreneur programme) and TrailblazHER (a community with a shared commitment to advancing gender equality). Participants can also engage in Pitch Perfect, organised in partnership with the Local Enterprise Offices, or connect with students through the TU Dublin Immerse internship programme, expanding their business networks even further.

The logistics and facilities of the Tallaght campus offer a further advantage to New Frontiers participants. Situated conveniently near major transport links, the site also features extensive outdoor spaces and wildlife areas, giving participants the opportunity to recharge and find balance. Practicalities such as hot desks and private offices make it easier for participants to focus on their work. Programme alumni make up 30% of the clients in the space, adding to the supportive atmosphere.

Laura has taken lessons from her own time as an entrepreneur and embedded them into her management style, helping participants feel supported and connected throughout the programme while always stressing the importance of validation and market research. Her background has influenced her approach in many subtle ways, while her passion for self-improvement – including training as a hypnotherapist – makes her an intuitive and supportive programme manager. Throughout our conversation, Laura’s focus was clear: empowering participants to build strong networks, grow their confidence, and continuously evolve their businesses.

If you’re interested in applying to the New Frontiers programme in Tallaght, you can head over to the Tallaght Campus location page to learn more about what’s on offer and keep an eye on their upcoming application deadlines on our calendar page. You can also visit the TU Dublin website for more information about how they support entrepreneurship and innovation.