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New Frontiers Awards 2021 - James Power, Founder of Agri Guardian pictured above is one to watch New Frontiers Awards 2021 - James Power, Founder of Agri Guardian pictured above is one to watch

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Midwest’s Brightest Start-Ups Win Prestigious New Frontiers Awards 2021 at LIT

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New Frontiers Awards 2021 – James Power, Founder of Agri Guardian pictured above is one to watch

Midwest’s Brightest Start-Ups Win Prestigious New Frontiers Awards 2021 at LIT

Lorraine Lynch - CEO & Founder of The Child Psychology Institute.

Lorraine Lynch – CEO & Founder of The Child Psychology Institute.

An EdTech psychology company to support parents and teachers, a software to save time and cost when building a website and a farm safety wearable device, were the big winners at the LIT New Frontiers Awards 2021.


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A total of 14 new business leaders from the acclaimed New Frontiers programme showcased their start-up companies at a virtual ceremony hosted by LIT.

The LIT New Frontiers programme – funded by Enterprise Ireland, is the National Entrepreneur Development Programme with a support package worth €30,000. It is delivered by LIT at the Hartnett Enterprise Acceleration Centre for early-stage high potential start-ups.

The programme’s primary purpose is to accelerate the development of sustainable new businesses that have strong employment, growth, international potential and contribute to job creation and economic activity in the region.

LIT New Frontiers 2021 Winners:

Start Up of the Year 2021

Lorraine Lynch (Galway) CEO & Founder of The Child Psychology Institute.  

The Child Psychology Institute was set up in 2020 as a direct response to the need of overwhelmed parents and teachers who want to support children’s emotions and behaviours. The CPI’s course Working With Children Who Have Experienced Trauma is a 10 hour online self-paced course that covers everything parents and professionals need to know about trauma. This innovative EdTech company offers a premium software platform providing education, resources, a supportive community and practical strategies that members can access any time from the comfort of their home.

Business Innovation Award

Derek Nolan (Limerick) Founder of DogNotDuck. 

DogNotDuck provides embedded annotations software for teams building websites, to leave feedback, chat & collaborate directly on the website they are working on, to save time & cost on web projects.

Derek Nolan - Founder of DogNotDuck.

Derek Nolan – Founder of DogNotDuck.

One to Watch

James Power (Limerick based and Waterford native) Founder of Agri Guardian.  

Agri Guardian is a wearable device to make farming safer. It has 2 versions, one for child safety and one for adult safety. The children’s device warns parents when a child enters the farm, is in danger areas and close to machinery in operation. The adult version detects falls, slurry gas levels and provides a location to emergency services, if required.

Congratulating the New Frontier Graduates, President of LIT Prof. Vincent Cunnane said, “The talent, innovation and sense of purpose that these entrepreneurs have shown is remarkable.  Entrepreneurship is at the very heart of what defines this region, and we in LIT are very proud to support and nurture the next generation of entrepreneurs. We are committed to fostering creative and entrepreneurial activities, in all their forms, in collaboration with our stakeholders to help shape the future of our region.

 The positivity and sheer quality of this year’s New Frontiers graduates is a testament to themselves and their families as well as to the teams in LIT and Enterprise Ireland support them.  It is no surprise that the recent evaluation of the programme showed a 564% return on investment. That is almost 1,000 jobs attributed to this programme nationally, and something that I am sure we will all continue to strive to build on and improve even further.”

Vice President for Research Development and Innovation LIT Dr Liam Brown, described New Frontiers as a truly national programme with significant regional outreach and global export potential. 

“Participants of the New Frontiers Programme are playing a significant role in the indigenous business community – driving Ireland’s economy forward. We know that completing the New Frontiers Programme is like wearing a badge of quality in the business world. There is a willingness for other businesses to meet and engage with you after successful completion of the programme. The local and national environment and building a global brand is important to the success of entrepreneurship in the region and beyond. LIT plays a key role together with our partners and collaborators, to ensure that this is a thriving region and country for start-up success.”

While, Paula Carroll, Enterprise Ireland New Frontiers National Programme Manager said, “I would like to congratulate the 2021 LIT cohort of the New Frontiers Programme for all they have achieved in what has been a difficult year for many due to the impact of the pandemic. This was a particularly strong group, showcasing the entrepreneurial talent of the Midwest.

I look forward to seeing all participants further develop their companies. Enterprise Ireland is proud to offer such a critically important programme like New Frontiers. It is the national entrepreneurial development programme and helps start-ups on their journey, with expertise and funding.”

The awards were supported by LIT, EI Enterprise Ireland, Local Enterprise Office Limerick, Limerick Chamber, HOMS Solicitors and Bridgewater Management.

LIT currently has an open call for New Frontiers Phase 1. Application deadline is April 12, 2021.

For more details on the programme go HERE 

For more stories on Limerick Institute of Technology go HERE

Richard is a presenter, producer, songwriter and actor. He was named the Limerick Person of the Year (2011) and won an online award at the Metro Éireann Media and Multicultural Awards (2011) for promoting multi-culturalism online. Richard says that the ilovelimerick.com concept is very much a community driven project that aims to document life in Limerick. So, that in 20 years time people can look back and remember the events that were making the headlines.