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Minister of State Pat Breen TD launches the “Propeller Shannon” Start-Up Accelerator at Shannon Airport

Accelerator programme, supported by Enterprise Ireland now open to applications from entrepreneurs and teams in the aviation sector

Minister of State for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection, Pat Breen TD today launched the Propeller Shannon start-up accelerator programme, supported by Enterprise Ireland to further enhance the aviation and the aerospace start-up ecosystem within Ireland.

The Propeller Shannon start-up accelerator, a partnership between Shannon Group’s International Aviation Services Centre (IASC), DCU Ryan Academy for Entrepreneurs, Boeing, and Datalex, and supported by Enterprise Ireland, aims to drive the development of innovative Irish and international start-up companies in the aviation sector.

The Propeller Shannon accelerator is now open to applications from potential teams or individuals both in Ireland and from overseas working in the aviation, aerospace and travel tech sectors. There are 10 slots available within the programme which will be based at a dedicated innovation hub in the Shannon Free Zone adjacent to Shannon Airport.

Successful applicants to the Accelerator programme will receive a place within the programme for a period of three months where teams will be able to build and commercially validate their technologies by working with existing networks and mentors from global aviation companies like Boeing and Datalex.

The Accelerator programme is part of Enterprise Ireland’s overall strategy to increase the number and quality of start-ups that have the potential to employ more than 10 persons and achieve €1 million in export sales within three years.

Launching the Shannon Propeller Start-up Accelerator, Minister of State for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection, Pat Breen TD said: “I am delighted to officially launch the Propeller Shannon start-up accelerator here in my own constituency today. Shannon has a great heritage of working in this sector and this programme will pave the way for a new generation of aviation entrepreneurs. This incubator programme, supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through Enterprise Ireland, will make a real contribution to supporting growth in the aviation and aerospace industry. It will nurture innovative Irish companies to build scale and expand their reach in global markets.”  

Speaking at the launch in Shannon Airport, Joe Healy, Division Manager High Potential Start-Ups, Enterprise Ireland said: “A priority for Enterprise Ireland is to help entrepreneurs and companies to start and scale. By introducing this accelerator programme in co-ordination with Shannon Group and DCU Ryan Academy, Enterprise Ireland is leveraging our strong international reputation as an aviation hub and our world class start-up eco-system to allow businesses in this specialised and innovative sector to scale and succeed. We welcome and look forward to receiving applications from the sector within Ireland and from overseas.”

Welcoming the support of Enterprise Ireland, Matthew Thomas, CEO, Shannon Group said: “Over the years, Shannon has been home to innovations such as the world’s first Duty Free and the first Free Zone, as well as GPA, who pioneered the aircraft leasing industry. I’m delighted that Shannon will now be home to a new generation of aviation entrepreneurs, and we are very grateful to Enterprise Ireland for recognising the importance of the aviation industry for Ireland and for its generous support. The accelerator programme will help drive the development of innovative Irish and international start-up aviation companies and participate in their success, with a goal of producing companies of global significance from Ireland.”

Patrick Edmond, MD of Shannon Group’s International Aviation Services Centre (IASC) said: “IASC’s mission is to grow Shannon’s aviation industry cluster and Ireland’s aviation capability, and we are delighted to join with visionary partners Enterprise Ireland, Boeing, and Datalex, to jointly unearth and support the next generation of aviation and travel technology entrepreneurs and to write the next chapter in Shannon’s long history of innovation."

ENDS For further information please contact:

Nicola Corboy, Press & Media Relations, Enterprise Ireland. T: 01-7272973 / 086 021 0114 nicola.corboy@enterprise-ireland.com

About Enterprise Ireland

Enterprise Ireland is the Irish State agency that works with Irish enterprises to help them start, grow, innovate and win export sales in global markets. Enterprise Ireland partners with entrepreneurs, Irish businesses, and the research and investment communities to develop Ireland’s international trade, innovation, leadership and competitiveness.  In this way, we support sustainable economic growth and regional development, and help create and sustain employment in Ireland.  www.enterprise-ireland.com

About DCU Ryan Academy

The DCU Ryan Academy is a not-for-profit partnership between Dublin City University and the Ryan Family (Ryanair) with the objective to be the leading supporter of entrepreneurs and innovation in Ireland.  Operating from its own campus, the DCU Ryan Academy bridges the gap between academia and entrepreneurial practice through a unique partnership between Ireland’s youngest university, DCU, and the family of one of Ireland’s greatest entrepreneurs, Tony Ryan.The Ryan Academy supports a vision where entrepreneurship and innovation are recognised as key drivers of Irish business success and acts as a catalyst in helping to develop an entrepreneurial mind-set and a real focus on innovation amongst Irish SME’s, corporates, start-ups and researchers through a range of training, leadership and funding initiatives. Learn more at www.ryanacademy.ie/

About IASC

Shannon is home to the largest aerospace and aviation cluster in Ireland, with over 60 firms and growing steadily. The Shannon aviation cluster spans the industry value chain, encompassing everything from aircraft leasing, maintenance and recycling to component manufacture, parts repair and business aviation. Shannon Group’s International Aviation Services Centre (IASC) helps these companies to develop their businesses. It also supports new entrants keen to join this growing nucleus of aerospace excellence, ensuring that Shannon remains a global centre for the aviation industry. www.iasc.aero

About Boeing

By leveraging the power of the world’s largest aerospace company, Boeing HorizonX applies its momentum to new business ventures to unlock the next generation of game-changing ideas, products, and markets. From investment capital to technology commercialization and market access, HorizonX turns new ideas and businesses into reality. www.boeing.com

About Datalex

Datalex is a market leader in digital commerce for travel retailers. The Datalex Commerce Platform enables a travel marketplace of over one billion shoppers covering every corner of the globe, driven by some of the world’s most innovative airline retail brands. Its customers include Aer Lingus, Air China, Air Malta, Air Transat, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Hainan Group, HP Enterprise Services, IBM, JetBlue Airways, Lufthansa Group, Philippine Airlines, SITA, STA Travel, Swiss International Air Lines and Virgin Australia. The company is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, and maintains offices across Europe, USA and China. Datalex is a publicly listed company and is listed on the Irish Stock Exchange (ISE: DLE). Learn more at www.datalex.com