Athlone Institute of Technology
Midlands Innovation and Research Centre
The Midlands Innovation and Research Centre (MIRC) in Athlone and MaynoothWorks in Maynooth jointly deliver the New Frontiers programme in the Midlands Mid-East region. This partnership between Athlone Institute of Technology and Maynooth University means that New Frontiers participants have access to the expertise, facilities and resources of both locations.
The MIRC provides incubation facilities and business development support for innovative and knowledge-based startups and makes available the resources and expertise of AIT to support client companies and enterprise in the region. Whether you are a prospective entrepreneur, a start-up, an existing company committed to ongoing innovation or an academic interested in commercialising your research, the MIRC is open to you.
What does the MIRC offer?
Incubation units ranging from 14m² to 42m², concept desking, high-speed broadband, boardroom, meeting room and canteen facilities.
Access to the R&D resources of AIT’s Software Research Institute, Materials Research Institute and Bioscience Research Institute, along with the expertise of AIT’s Schools of Business, Science and Engineering.
Business development support: project management, mentoring, one-to-one interventions to accelerate project progression, and networking. Student placements and collaborative student projects.
The InnovAIT Entrepreneurship Academy for graduate entrepreneurs – led by AIT’s Business School – is based in the MIRC.
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The MIRC team
The New Frontiers Programme Manager at Athlone IT is Nick Allen. Nick has 18 years’ experience working as a training consultant and management consultant in the challenging environment of leading corporations in the UK and in delivering value management services to public and corporate sector clients in Ireland and the UK.
Nick Allen
New Frontiers Programme Manager
090 648 3043
Michael Lonergan
MIRC Manager
090 647 1882
Owen Laverty
MaynoothWorks Manager
01 708 6902
Some of our previous participants
The latest news from the MIRC
Further reading
Still not ready to apply? We have some useful links that might help:
- the MIRC website
- more information about the New Frontiers programme
- see our Frequently Asked Questions
- check out our 10 tips for entrepreneurs thinking of applying to New Frontiers