In the Midwest, the New Frontiers programme is delivered by Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) in collaboration with the University of Limerick, giving participants access to the expertise, facilities, and resources of both locations.
The Hartnett Enterprise Acceleration Centre at TUS facilitates the transition from education, research, and employment to startup success by assisting clients in a number of complementary areas: research commercialisation, early-stage enterprise startup, and internationalisation. The centre provides business development services to clients via one-to-one mentoring and business plan reviews with a panel of subject matter experts.
Providing links to Enterprise Ireland, other enterprise support agencies, and investor networks across Ireland, Europe, and the USA is a critical dimension of the Hartnett Centre service. The centre offers ready-to-go shared office solutions, hot desks, and virtual incubation services to promoters of early-stage companies. For companies that are starting to grow, some of the offices can open out into a space for 8 to 10 people.
At the heart of the University of Limerick, Nexus Innovation Centre is a purpose-built innovation centre that accelerates the development of both national and international startups, fostering global reach and supporting the commercialisation of academic research. As a vibrant hub, Nexus provides entrepreneurs with the resources to develop, collaborate, and grow through engagement, support, peer learning, and a culture of collaboration.
Nexus is a supportive environment where start-ups can quickly become investor ready. Nexus challenges startups to move beyond conventional ideas of business development, encouraging them to become highly connected, agile, and smart, positioning them for long-term success in today’s fast-paced market.
413
PHASE 1 PARTICIPANTS SUPPORTED
147
PHASE 2 PARTICIPANTS SUPPORTED
3
COUNTIES IN CATCHMENT (LIMERICK, CLARE & TIPPERARY)
What’s on offer?
TUS: 18 units of ≈25m² accommodating up to four people, shared office space, and hotdesks. Reception, restaurant, boardroom and meeting room. IT support, broadband, managed print facility, and videoconferencing. UL: individual offices, shared desk space, collaborative workspaces, meeting rooms, boardroom, high-specification bio-labs, and a re-configurable lobby/exhibition space.
TUS: Access to the TUS Enterprise Ladder, TUS International Network, and invitations to dozens of events to help inspire, motivate, and build networks and relationships and to take part in competitions. UL: Leverage the expertise of UL’s renowned faculty and cutting-edge research facilities to collaborate on innovative projects that drive progress and create real-world impact.
TUS: Access to collaborative research with the Centre for Applied BioScience Research (CABR), Factory Xchange, and the IDEAM Cluster. UL: A vibrant community of innovators and exclusive events and workshops designed to foster networking, knowledge exchange, and meaningful collaboration.
Gallery
The team
Mary Casey
New Frontiers Programme Manager
061 293 830
Gillian Barry
Head of Innovation & Enterprise
061 293 151
Nadia Hwigi
New Frontiers Programme Administrator
061 293 807
Simone Mullally
Nexus Centre Manager
061 518 376
Gert O’Rourke
New Ventures Manager
061 234 117
The New Frontiers Programme Manager in the Midwest (TUS Limerick Campus in collaboration with UL) is Mary Casey. She holds a BA degree from the University of Limerick, and qualified with the Chartered Insurance Institute while working in that sector. Mary has worked in a variety of private and public sector roles, and shares her considerable practical experience with Limerick’s programme participants, as she steers them towards success through each phase of New Frontiers. Mary thrives on the collaborative environment that the New Frontiers programme develops, and helping new entrepreneurs find their feet by drawing on the expertise of TUS’s New Frontiers alumni and consultants.
Notable alumni
- Paul Gough, Nualtra – delivery of food for special medical purposes
- Charlie Glynn, Glynn Technical Diamonds – innovative synthetic diamond products
- Evan Talty, Wild Irish Sea Weed – sustainable, hand-harvested seaweed
- Mark Cochrane, Trackplan – facilities management software
- Hannah Wrixon, Get the Shifts (Wrx Wrx) – temp staff on tap
- Shane Ryan, Fiid – the perfect everyday meal
- Leonie Lynch, Juspy – a delicious collagen and protein blend
- Nicholas Ryan, Thomond Gate Whiskey
- Eoin Keane, Tornoc Studios – AR gaming
- Paul Byrnes, Mavarick – Manufacturing production and sustainability analytics
Alumni news
Limerick start-up Mavarick raises €1.3 million
Limerick start-up Mavarick raises €1.3 million
Mavarick announced as Overall Winner of Seedcorn
Mavarick announced as Overall Winner of Seedcorn
This is the right time! Register your interest in New Frontiers and a Programme Manager will be in touch to guide you through the application process.
