SETU graduates reach 'new frontiers'
Pictured are the Eight founders, who graduated recently from Phase 2 of the New Frontiers programme at South East Technological University (SETU) in Waterford.
Eight founders graduated recently from Phase 2 of the New Frontiers programme at South East Technological University (SETU) in Waterford.
The showcase event marked the end of an intensive six months for the startup founders, during which they received a number of supports, including mentoring and a tax-free allowance of €15,000, while they built a solid foundation for their business.
Showcase day is an opportunity to recognise the stand-out participants from the programme.
This year, the Most Innovative Business Idea award for the concept that was most innovative or one that used innovative technology, went to Tom Weldon of Lagertha.
Among the other award recipients was Brian Cusack of Supp Genie AI, who won the Best Business Opportunity award for the concept that had best prospect for early adoption in the market and strong growth potential.
Meanwhile, the Best Business Plan award for the best researched business plan went to Clare Mansfield of Flowering Fertility Support.
The showcase ceremony event was held at SETU’s Cork Road Campus and was attended by various stakeholders from the startup community including Dr Patricia Bowe, Head of the Department of Management and Organisation at SETU; Dr Thomas O’Toole, Dean of Faculty of Business at SETU; and Ciara Concannon, National New Frontiers Programme Manager at Enterprise Ireland.
A spokesperson for SETU told Waterford News & Star that the audience in attendance heard insights from speaker Paul Savage, a programme alumnus and COO of Brightbeam.
"Paul, an experienced technology entrepreneur who has led a range of early-stage startups through significant growth, shared his perspectives on leveraging agile thinking and action to identify and overcome challenges," said the spokesperson.
She went on to highlight how Mr Savage encouraged New Frontiers founders to engage with their target market to understand the lived experiences of prospective customers.
"He also discussed the capabilities of AI and gave advice on how early-stage businesses can harness it to, for example, analyse customer insights, iterate product design, test product-market fit, and manage resources," said the spokesperson.
In her welcome speech, Dr Patricia Bowe said: “These entrepreneurs have worked diligently on Phase 2 of New Frontiers, over the past six months, to increase the knowledge of their target markets."
"As part of their market research, they have engaged with target customers to gain deep understandings of the customers’ pain points in order to develop desirable solutions, in pursuit of achieving the best possible Product-Market Fit solutions for their prospective customers’ problems," she added.
In his address to the crowd in attendance, Dr Thomas O’Toole remarked: “SETU is more than a place of learning; we are an anchor university for the South East, working to ensure our region is vibrant, competitive, and forward-looking."
"The New Frontiers programme is a leading example of how SETU delivers on this vision," he said.
He went on comment: "Through the New Frontiers programme, SETU is building the skills, confidence, and networks that founders need to succeed, and in doing so is directly supporting Enterprise Ireland’s strategy to increase the number of new startups and scaling businesses in line with their Strategic Plan 2025-2029.”
New Frontiers Programme Director in Waterford, Dr Eugene Crehan, praised the cohort for their engagement throughout the programme and addressing them directly said: “I would like to commend you on your dedication in staying focused on the market opportunity, increasing your knowledge of your market and developing solutions for your target market customers."
"I hope that you can continue on your growth trajectories and that many of you will follow in the footsteps of former Waterford New Frontiers participants who scaled their businesses securing investments and Enterprise Ireland’s PSSF and HPSU funding," he said.
The graduates from the programme in Waterford were composed of: Brian Cusack - Supp Genie AI; Thomas Weldon - Lagertha; Dave Minogue - HyperConnect; Denis Queally - Awaken Botanical; Clare Mansfield - Flowering Fertility Support Services; Joseph Casey - Water Wall; Deirdre McCarthy - FLIT Financial; Jennifer O’Connell - ReMe Wellness.
About New Frontiers Enterprise Ireland’s New Frontiers programme equips ambitious founders with the right connections, the right skills, and the right route to capital. It empowers them to take an idea or early-stage business through the initial development phases and prepare for their first phases of fundraising and growth. Delivered across 18 locations nationally, New Frontiers is the right way to build a successful and sustainable startup.
Phase 2 is a full-time six-month intensive commitment, with places offered following a competitive selection process. Founders learn how to develop and validate their business proposition as they work on their capacities as a founder. The support package, worth over €30,000, includes a €15,000 tax-free allowance, one-to-one mentoring, expert-led workshops, advice and guidance, free coworking space, introduction to the startup ecosystem, and access to third-level R&D facilities and expertise.
About New Frontiers in Waterford The New Frontiers programme in Waterford is based in the ArcLabs Research & Innovation Centre, located on the West Campus of
