PHOTOS Entrepreneurs Explore Opportunities at New Frontiers Gateway & Clusters Event

Enterprise Ireland New Frontiers Clusters and Gateways event took place at The Savoy Hotel Limerick on Thursday, November 28, 2024. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick

Startup founders from across Ireland came together at the Savoy Hotel in Limerick City on Thursday, November 28th, for Enterprise Ireland’s New Frontiers Gateway & Clusters event

Led by the New Frontiers teams at TUS and MTU, and supported by FactoryXChange (European Digital Innovation Hub), the day connects Enterprise Ireland’s Technology Gateway Network, EI’s Cluster Network, and the, with over 50 startup founders.  The event offered a practical exploration of the support and collaboration available to help entrepreneurs grow and scale their businesses.

Welcoming attendees, Gillian Barry, Head of Innovation & Enterprise at The Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), highlighted the vital role of Enterprise Ireland’s New Frontiers in Ireland’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. “New Frontiers is the backbone of Ireland’s entrepreneurial journey,” she said.

“It does more than support startups – it empowers them to take their ideas and turn them into scalable businesses. By providing mentorship, access to industry experts, and connections with key networks, New Frontiers drives real, measurable success for both entrepreneurs and the economy. It’s this kind of strategic investment that ensures Ireland continues to lead in innovation.”

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The event highlighted the strength of Enterprise Ireland’s innovation ecosystem through presentations from several of the national Technology Gateways, which provide businesses with specialised expertise and access to cutting-edge facilities. Among those featured were CAPPA (MTU Cork), advancing photonics technologies for manufacturing and device innovation; COMAND (TUS Athlone), specialising in connected media solutions; IMaR (MTU Kerry), focused on IoT, robotics, and intelligent systems for automation; Nimbus (MTU Cork), experts in IoT, cybersecurity, and smart technologies; and the Centre for Applied Bioscience Research (formerly Shannon ABC, TUS Midwest and MTU Kerry), responding to the challenges of Biotech, Food and Life Science Industries through the sustainable development of viable and cost-effective processes and products from bio-resources. These Gateways are part of a national network that helps businesses innovate, develop new products, and improve processes across diverse sectors.

Industry clusters also featured prominently, with IDEAM (Irish Digital Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing), ATIM (Advanced Technologies in Manufacturing), and the Circular Bioeconomy Cluster South-West demonstrating how collaboration and industry-specific expertise can unlock new opportunities for founders.

Dr. Paul Byrnes, CEO and Co-Founder of Mavarick AI and an alumni of New Frontiers Midwest, shared how the programme helped him develop his business. “New Frontiers isn’t just about funding,” he said. “It’s about building connections, gaining guidance, and finding the insights you need to succeed. For me, the programme-and the support from clusters like IDEAM and ATIM- has been invaluable in scaling Mavarick AI and navigating the challenges of building a tech startup.”

Another success story, Mike Keane, alumni of the 2022 New Frontiers Cork programme emphasised the practical impact of the programme on his business. “”Hibra Designs wouldn’t have advanced this quickly without the support of the New Frontiers programme. It helped me sharpen my strategy and provided access to invaluable resources at Nimbus, which accelerated our path to market. The ongoing relationship with MTU has been invaluable.”

The event also highlighted the role of FactoryXChange, who collaborated with New Frontiers on the event and are part of the European Digital Innovation Hub network, which is focused on helping businesses integrate advanced digital and sustainable solutions. Their participation reinforced the importance of digital transformation in Ireland’s startup landscape.

Closing the event, Donnchadh Cullinan, Head of ICT High Potential Startups at Enterprise Ireland, urged founders to embrace the opportunities available. “New Frontiers one of the best startup support programme in Ireland,” he said. “With its resources, expertise, and connections, it equips entrepreneurs to think bigger, scale faster, and deliver real impact.”

The event left attendees with a clear message: New Frontiers is a cornerstone of Ireland’s innovation ecosystem, offering founders the tools and connections to grow their businesses and contribute to the economy. For anyone looking to take an idea to the next level, there’s no better place to start.

For more information about New Frontiers, visit www.newfrontiers.ie

About TUS New Frontiers

The New Frontiers programme at the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) is a leading national programme for startup entrepreneurs, funded by Enterprise Ireland. TUS delivers this intensive programme in the Midwest region, offering participants expert mentoring, funding, and access to research and industry networks, enabling entrepreneurs to launch and scale their businesses successfully.

About MTU New Frontiers

Based in The Rubicon Centre, Munster Technological University’s (MTU) onsite incubator, the New Frontiers programme provides high-potential startups in the Cork region with a robust foundation of business supports. Through hands-on workshops, one-to-one mentoring, and access to an expansive network of industry experts and investors, Enterprise Ireland’s New Frontiers programme plays a pivotal role in transforming innovative ideas into thriving businesses.

About FactoryXChange

FactoryXChange is Ireland’s European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) focused on empowering businesses to embrace digital transformation. By integrating ecological, digital, and societal solutions into their core models, FactoryXChange helps startups and SMEs prepare for Industry 5.0, ensuring competitiveness in a rapidly evolving market.

About Enterprise Ireland

Enterprise Ireland is the government agency responsible for the development and growth of Irish enterprises in global markets. It supports startups, SMEs, and established companies through a wide range of programmes, including the National Technology Gateway Network, industry clusters like IDEAM and ATIM, and the flagship New Frontiers programme. These initiatives drive collaboration, research, and innovation, empowering Irish businesses to scale and compete internationally.

For more information see www.enterprise-ireland.com

Pictures: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick