New Frontiers Programme
National Programme for Developing Entrepreneurs
Enterprise Ireland’s New Frontiers is the nationwide programme for ambitious startup founders with an innovative business idea that has the potential to scale and provide employment.
IADT NovaUCD New Frontiers – Phase 1
- Applications for the Midweek programme are now closed.
- Applications for the Bootcamp Phase 1 programme are now closed.
About New Frontiers
Every successful startup begins with a great idea. New Frontiers will equip you with the right connections, the right skills, and the right route to capital. We’ll empower you to build a successful and sustainable startup business. Ready to develop your idea and turn it into a revenue-generating business? This is the right time!
New Frontiers is designed for individuals who:
- Are early-stage founders
- Are new to business, have experience in a completely different industry, or haven’t yet successfully built or scaled a business
- Have an innovative business idea with scaling, export and employment potential
- Can show evidence of a commercial market for their proposed product/service
- Have experience, sectoral and/or technical knowledge in the area of their business idea
- Have the drive and ambition required to commit fully to building a successful start-up
One programme, two phases
The different phases of New Frontiers bring value at different stages of your startup journey. On each phase, you’ll benefit from a supportive environment in which to discover the proven tactics, core principles, and best practice behind successful startups
New Frontiers Phase 1 is the part-time "Explore and Validate" introductory stage of Enterprise Ireland's national entrepreneur development programme. It is designed for early-stage founders and individuals with innovative, scalable, or export-potential business ideas who want to test their concept while often keeping their current full-time job.
New Frontiers Phase 2 is a six-month, full-time intensive business development and incubation programme designed for ambitious, early-stage entrepreneurs with innovative, scalable ideas that have export potential
The different phases of New Frontiers bring value at different stages of your startup journey. On each phase, you’ll benefit from a supportive environment in which to discover the proven tactics, core principles, and best practice behind successful startups
How does the programme work?
New Frontiers is a programme of two phases, taking you up to readiness for pre-seed fundraising. Whatever your business idea or sector (our alumni come from sectors as diverse as food and drink, consumer products, engineering, medical devices, pharma, digital media, and cleantech), you will develop a wide range of business skills and get expert guidance from advisors and successful entrepreneurs. All this happens in the supportive environment of a local incubation centre, where you and your fellow participants will be based.
Applications for the IADT NovaUCD New Frontiers Phase 2 programme will open in mid-December 2026.
"If you have an idea in your head that you think might create value in the world, New Frontiers is the place to find if that's going to be a reality and make that reality happen."
Darragh O’Regan, Lifeforce
If you'd like to speak with a programme manager, contact NewFrontiers@IADT.ie to arrange a call.
Important Note on Eligibility: You must be based, and intend to run your business in Ireland. In addition, applicants must be eligible to live AND run a business in the Republic of Ireland. If your current visa status does not allow you to run a business in Ireland, you must regularise your visa situation before being accepted on to the programme. Please refer to current guidelines from the Department of Justice with regard to the status of non-EEA nationals wishing to set up a business in Ireland.
If you'd like to speak with a programme manager, contact NewFrontiers@IADT.ie to arrange a call.
Important Note on Eligibility: You must be based, and intend to run your business in Ireland. In addition, applicants must be eligible to live AND run a business in the Republic of Ireland. If your current visa status does not allow you to run a business in Ireland, you must regularise your visa situation before being accepted on to the programme. Please refer to current guidelines from the Department of Justice with regard to the status of non-EEA nationals wishing to set up a business in Ireland.
Who should apply
New Frontiers is designed for entrepreneurs who have an innovative business idea and plan to establish and run their own company in Ireland. The Programme is open to business ideas from a range of sectors including food and consumer products; information and communication technology; engineering and electronics; medical devices; biotechnology; pharma; digital media; cleantech/renewable energy; eligible internationally traded services. Places on all phases of New Frontiers are assigned through a competitive process including interview/s. Develop your business idea at The Media Cube, IADT.
*Note: Important Note on Eligibility: You must be based, and intend to run your business in Ireland. In addition, applicants must be eligible to live AND run a business in the Republic of Ireland. If your current visa status does not allow you to run a business in Ireland, you must regularise your visa situation before being accepted on to the programme. Please refer to current guidelines from the Department of Justice with regard to the status of non-EEA nationals wishing to set up a business in Ireland.
Only one (named) person per company can secure a place on the programme.
