8th March 2018
Today, Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD welcomed 144 graduates of the New Frontiers business development programme to a national networking event organised by Enterprise Ireland at the Red Cow Hotel in Dublin. Almost 150 one-to-one dedicated network meetings between ‘Class of 2017’ graduates from all over the country have been scheduled.
New Frontiers is a national entrepreneur development programme delivered in two phases at local level by Institutes of Technology at 14 locations around Ireland and funded by the Irish government through Enterprise Ireland.
2017 was a record year for New Frontiers as 164 entrepreneurs were supported at Phase 2 of the Programme.
Providing expert advice, training and mentoring to people with innovative business ideas, the programme is an important pipeline for Enterprise Ireland’s Competitive Start Fund (CSF) and High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) programmes. New Frontiers generates an estimated 20 HPSUs and a third of CSF awards go to companies from the programme.
Speaking at the event, Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD, said: “The New Frontiers programme was launched in 2012 at a time when the economy faced many challenges. The primary purpose was to accelerate the development of sustainable new businesses that have strong employment and growth potential, ultimately stimulating jobs recovery and economic activity in regional locations. It is heart-warming to hear of the success of this programme and I know that with capability and commitment, many of you here today will become the Irish international success stories of the future.”
Joe Healy, Manager, High Potential Start-Ups Division, Enterprise Ireland added: “Since 2012, over 1,000 New Frontiers participants have received intensive support to develop their start-up ideas in sectors ranging from cleantech and food products to digital media and medical devices, with many entrepreneurs going on to develop award-winning businesses to match their global ambition. With competitive recruitment and rigorous reviews, the programme’s success lies in the fact that selected participants are high calibre and committed to the process, benefitting from the comprehensive set of business development supports, funding and networking opportunities that the programme offers.”
For further information on the New Frontiers programme, go to www.newfrontiers.ie
ENDS
Media contacts:
Conor O’Donovan, Head of Communications, Enterprise Ireland, 01 7272912 / 087 9671342 conor.odonovan@enterprise-ireland.com
Brigid Burke, Press & Media Relations, Enterprise Ireland, 01 7272430 / 087 1803995 brigid.burke@enterprise-ireland.com
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