Cork Institute of Technology

Rubicon Centre

The Rubicon Centre is home to 57 knowledge-based startups at all stages of development – from concept stage to completing their first customer orders – many of which are already trading on the international market.

The Centre is jointly financed by CIT & Enterprise Ireland and was opened in 2006, with further extension in 2010 bringing the total incubation footprint to over 3,000m². It provides a modern and dynamic working environment, conveniently located on campus within one of Ireland’s top third level institutes.

Rubicon clients enjoy access to a full development path in an environment of creativity and innovation, with a continual focus on nurturing growth. Entrepreneurs benefit from being part of the vibrant entrepreneurial community within the Rubicon Centre. Other programmes available include EXXCEL and Student Inc. (only open to students of CIT).

Rubicon Centre website ￫

jobs created by our programmes since 1998

percent survival rate after five years

million euros investment raised since 1998

What does the Rubicon Centre offer?

Ready-to-go, own-door offices with dedicated broadband & direct phone lines. Training room, board room and meeting rooms with full AV capability.

CIT research facilities include the NIMBUS Centre, CAPPA – Centre for advanced Photonics and Process Analysis, MEDIC – Medical Engineering Design and Innovation Centre & CREATE – Centre for Research in Advanced Therapeutic Engineering.

Business support includes one-to-one mentoring, access to finance, access to international markets, pre and post incubation assistance and networking opportunities.

Entrepreneurs benefit from 24/7 access, free car parking, security, reception services, a café and break-out areas. The centre also offers a Virtual Office facility.

Gallery

The Rubicon Centre team

The New Frontiers Programme Manager at Cork Institute of Technology is Alison Walsh. Alison worked for 15 years in Enterprise Ireland, supporting indigenous Irish SMEs. As a Senior Development Adviser, she advised companies on strategies for growth, skills development, and leadership development. She has worked with companies from start-up stage to multinationals – primarily in areas such as food, consumer products and internationally traded services.

Alison Walsh

New Frontiers Programme Manager

021 492 8903

Paul Healy

Innovation Centre Manager

021 492 8901
@rubiconcentre

George Bulman

Operations manager

The New Frontiers Programme not only gave me the time to further develop the company, it pushed me forward and provided me with the other necessary tools to develop my company. Without the New Frontiers Programme my company would not be in the position it is now.

Dr Frank Riedewald, Composite Recycling

We were provided with fantastic support from the Rubicon Centre team and the other people that we came into contact with on the programme. With 11 other businesses on the programme, it feels like we have already grown our team given the amount of support and advice on offer.

Andrew Kingston, GroupBooked

During the programme, we won a global award for passenger innovation, landed our first client and raised Enterprise Ireland Competitive Start funding. Any one of these achievements would significantly help any business, but I would never have envisaged all three! Thank you!

Paul Brugger, TIC

Some of our previous participants

Patrick Dinneen, Platform Avenue – talent management software
Niamh O’Dwyer, Organic Little One – organic baby food
Dr Robert Cosgrave, LearnLode – information sharing SaaS
Stephen Slattery, Zeto – commercial refrigeration management
Conor Quigley, Safe Care Technologies – assistive technology solutions
Peter Conway, Travel Buddy – tourism promotions portal
Sarah O’Sullivan, SeaHorse Atlantic – kelp animal supplements

The latest news from the Rubicon Centre

€5m fundraising to fuel Swyft Energy expansion

The Cork-based energy technology firm, Swyft Energy, has launched a €5 million funding round to further develop its online technology platform. The company was co-founded by New Frontiers alumnus, Joseph Freyne.

TeachKloud closes €750,000 funding round

TeachKloud, founded by Wendy Oke, is looking to raise up to €4 million more after closing a €750,000 funding round. The startup has developed a platform for early childcare providers and has found investment from the likes of Frontline Ventures and Enterprise Ireland. Read more in articles from siliconrepublic.com and irishtimes.com.

Have a startup idea? Register your interest in New Frontiers and one of our Programme Managers will be in touch soon!

Further reading

Still not ready to apply? We have some useful links that might help:

the Rubicon Centre 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