28 April, 2021

Funded by Enterprise Ireland, Munster Technological University (MTU) will spend €3.5m over the next five years on the New Frontiers Programme to support hundreds of entrepreneurs and to deliver 75 new companies in the South West Region.

This substantial injection of funding for the New Frontiers programme is a recognition of its broad reach across the South West with delivery being available on both MTU campuses, The Tom Crean Business Centre in Tralee, and The Rubicon Centre in Cork.

Eighty applicants, across Cork and Kerry, will be accepted on to the first phase of the programme, a pre-acceleration phase, where their business idea and their capabilities as a potential entrepreneur will be challenged.

During this part-time, 6 week phase, participants will benefit from workshops on business value proposition, market research and validation, sales training and financial management. Those selected for the second phase will enjoy a suite of supports and uniquely, for an acceleration programme of this kind, no equity will be taken from the participants in return for the generous package of supports worth €30,000.

Announcing the initiative , President of MTU Prof Maggie Cusack said, “I am delighted to announce this next round of the New Frontiers Programme for the South West Region. Colleagues in Kerry and Cork have been collaborating on entrepreneurship supports for over twenty years and this initiative is an important pillar in the implementation of one of MTU’s key functions in the region, supporting entrepreneurship, enterprise development, and innovation in business”.

Commenting on behalf of Enterprise Ireland, Paula Carroll, New Frontiers National Programme Manager said “Enterprise Ireland is proud to offer such a critically important programme like New Frontiers. It is the national entrepreneurial development programme and by combining practical advice, mentorship, and funding, it can help reduce the risk and dramatically increase the chances of success for aspiring start-up entrepreneurs.”

More Information on the New Frontiers Programme and how to apply can be found at www.rubiconcentre.ie and www.creancentre.com

If you would like to explore collaboration opportunities with MTU contact us at extendedcampus@cit.ie. We are here to connect you with the relevant people or departments and support you on your journey.

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