Ireland has emerged as a vibrant location for global-minded startups. Vibrant and accessible, the country continues to attract top enterprises and the greatest entrepreneurial talent from all around the EU and beyond. Its innovation programs, supportive business climate, and diverse talent pool make Ireland a great place for aspiring creators and innovators to launch and grow their firms. Combined with the outstanding network of accelerators and incubators; joining a program is an excellent way to rapidly scale your firm in the country.
In this article, we have compiled a comprehensive list of all incubator and accelerator programs in Ireland, along with a short overview of their programs to help you determine a suitable program. The incubators and accelerators in this list have been subdivided into applicability for startups in their 'ideation', 'launch', or 'growth' stages.
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FULL LIST OF STARTUP INCUBATORS AND ACCELERATORS IN IRELAND
Ideation Stage Startup Incubators in Ireland
Full list of ideation-stage startup incubators in Ireland:
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Digital
Founded in 2007, the Media Cube is a start-up innovation center that supports the establishment of digital start-up firms in Dun Laoghaire, South Dublin, and North Wicklow. The Media Cube seeks to assist entrepreneurs with creative business ideas to grow into successful startups with worldwide scalability. Their New Frontiers program is structured as a three-phase program for testing, developing, and implementing your company concept. The program offers participants company development services, practical and engaging seminars, individualized one-on-one mentorship, financial assistance, and co-working space.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Multiple Sectors
NovaUCD is the University College Dublin's innovation and entrepreneurial center. They nurture and promote high-tech and knowledge-intensive businesses through their cutting-edge incubation facilities and extensive support services. Commercialisation Bootcamps and the 3-month UCD VentureLaunch Accelerator Programme are some of the programs available for academics who want to build their startups based on UCD's intellectual property. The programs available at the hub include counseling, seminars, and workshops, as well as access to the NovaUCD network of scholars, business leaders, investors, and programs.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Multiple Sectors
Tangent, Trinity's Ideas Workspace, is a transformational learning environment and collaborative space at the University of Dublin. Supporting creativity and entrepreneurship, Tangent provides a variety of development programs, ranging from immersive education courses, masterclasses, and mentorship to accelerators and hackathons. They work with businesses of all sizes to help startups develop the knowledge and skills required to innovate and establish new companies.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
South East BIC is a public-private initiative that fosters the creation and growth of new enterprises. They provide an active incubation service for entrepreneurs and startups, offering flexible, inexpensive office space in Waterford and free access to on-site professional support to help them prepare for funding. As the South East delivery partner for the Halo Business Angel Network (HBAN), they support startups and scaleups in getting seed/angel funding. As a member of the European BIC Network (EBN), the BIC team also has extensive networks with various local, regional, national, and international enterprise support organizations and links that you may leverage.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
DCU Invent is the commercialization and technology transfer unit of Dublin City University. They work with businesses and organizations to commercialize university research by providing incubation services and a variety of additional startup assistance. As their incubatee, you will have access to training and acceleration programs that will help you build the skills you need to start and operate your own business, as well as fundraising guidance from resident experts. Most importantly, you will gain access to DCU's excellent research environment as well as outstanding experts and researchers who can contribute to the success of your firm.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
To foster closer linkages between academia and business, the National College of Ireland established the NCI Business Incubation Centre. The center's goal is to support the development and commercialization of research initiatives in the university's areas of specializzation. The activities include events, training programs, and leadership seminars, with initiatives to establish closer collaboration between faculty/student research and incubation companies, as well as to develop further strategic collaboration with industry, business, and professional organizations.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
CorkBIC is a private-sector-led organization dedicated to identifying and developing knowledge-intensive businesses. CorkBIC offers a comprehensive approach for incubating and expanding high-growth firms, guiding them through the processes of determining business proposals, raising capital, negotiating agreements with shareholders and investors, and locating consumers. CorkBIC works directly with each business on all parts of business planning, delivering advice on fine-tuning your product and building a solid action plan. They also provide internationalization support through the EBN Soft Landing Club, designed with a focused strategy to help you enter new markets, look for a competitive edge in partnerships, and complement trade missions or marketing fairs.
Who is it for: Aspiring entrepreneurs with an idea and seeking cofounder / Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
IGNITE UCC is the innovation center at University College Cork that assists entrepreneurs in developing innovative start-ups with the potential to achieve positive economic, social, and environmental impact. They provide a number of assistance programs for startups at various stages, including IGNITE, their flagship incubation program that provides early company founders with the skills, information, guidance, and resources they require. The program comprises free workshops and seminars, guest speakers, mentoring with experienced entrepreneurs and company owners, financial assistance, and workspace. They also organize startup advice clinics to address specific inquiries regarding startups, as well as brief one-day events or evening programs for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to explore their ideas.
Who is it for: Aspiring entrepreneurs with an idea and seeking cofounder / Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
The ERIC Center offers a supportive environment to promote student entrepreneurship and accelerate the development of innovative startups. They organize a variety of programs to assist entrepreneurs at every stage of their development, focusing on both the entrepreneurs and the businesses. As part of the center, members can have access to cutting-edge research facilities on the SETU Carlow Campus, as well as incubator space, lab space, coworking space, content production studio, and any other needs you may have.
Who is it for: Aspiring entrepreneurs with an idea and seeking cofounder / Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Nexus is the innovation Centre of Limerick University, a burgeoning entrepreneurial community that leverages the university's intellectual prowess to facilitate business creation and development. With a purpose-built state-of-the-art facility, they offer a quality environment conducive for startups to explore their business ideas. Their Startup Mania Enterprise Program assists start-up businesses as they plan to commercialize their ideas. The program will provide them with the business skills, facilities, and business assistance they need, as well as introductions and links to essential support bodies and processes.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: SportsTech
To advance Ireland's sports innovation and technology, SportsTech Ireland arranges a variety of initiatives for startups at various levels of development. They provide incubation services with a co-working space and a sports performance lab to facilitate trials and validate ideas from early-stage entrepreneurs. They also provide access to experienced mentors, industry experts, and investors to help validate, commercialize, and expand their innovations and businesses.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
GatewayUCC is another initiative by University College Cork and is part of UCC Innovation which provides support for researcher-led startups and spinout companies. Their flagship SPRING program is offered to researchers and early-stage startups from across campus and helps them develop from proof-of-concept to commercialization and pitching for funding. Over the three-month program, SPRINT will explore all aspects of the start-up journey and provide crucial information; allowing them to make better business decisions and avoid the common startup pitfalls. The program is delivered by experienced entrepreneurs and business practitioners who also act as mentors will assist founders with business plan scoping and delivery.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
NDRC is a startup accelerator for global-oriented tech entrepreneurs with the mission to provide support at every stage of their journey through coaching and mentorship. They offer a number of startup initiatives, namely the Pre-Accelerator which will provide pre-seed startups with a better understanding of idea validation, customer development, financing paths, and market sizing. They also run an Accelerator program where early-stage startups may obtain customized coaching from seasoned Entrepreneurs in Residence and mentors along with a EUR100,000 investment and other benefits.
Launch Stage Startup Incubators and Accelerators in Ireland
Full list of launch stage startup incubators and accelerators in Ireland:
Who is it for: Aspiring entrepreneurs with an idea and seeking cofounder / Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Blue Economy
Hatch acts as a catalyst for a climate-smart and sustainable transformation in the Blue Economy. They run a number of innovative programs tailored to different company stages, such as an incubator for idea-stage startups to gain access to mentorship, office space, and R&D facilities, as well as an accelerator for pre-seed and seed-stage firms to gain access to a global mentorship network, visits to HATCH global locations, meeting with industry partners and international investors, and cash investments ranging from USD 150,000 to USD 300,000.
Who is it for: Aspiring entrepreneurs with an idea and seeking cofounder / Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
The Rubicon Centre is the on-campus incubator of the Munster Technological University that provides multi-stage programs for entrepreneurs and startups with unique products, services, or technology concepts. Their Start program provides entrepreneurs with a variety of services and a professional venue to begin their businesses. Accelerate is for entrepreneurs that are ready to launch, are actively seeking capital, or have a proof of concept that they want to test in the market. Grow is for established businesses looking to improve sales, acquire investment, and expand their workforce.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
WestBIC offers entrepreneurs targeted, high-level assistance in turning their creative ideas into reality and growing their businesses to become investment-ready. WestBIC will collaborate with you in delivering a personalized roadmap to develop a strong business plan, traverse market, and technical validation stages, acquire international traction, grow your team, and build a persuasive investment pitch. They will help you weigh your financial options and connect you with the most relevant sources of finance.
Who is it for: Aspiring entrepreneurs with an idea and seeking cofounder
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Multiple Sectors
The Alpha Accelerator is targeted at pre-seed founders from under-represented backgrounds who are looking to launch their business ideas and raise their seed rounds. The intense 12-week accelerator will be delivered by specialists, serial entrepreneurs, world-class operators, and investors that will provide all the knowledge, learnings, and practical information for you to establish a solid startup foundation.
Who is it for: Aspiring entrepreneurs with an idea and seeking cofounder
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
New Frontiers is a national entrepreneurial development initiative for early-stage entrepreneurs with creative business ideas, available in 18 sites around the Republic of Ireland. The program is designed for first-time entrepreneurs who want to learn what it takes to turn a concept into a revenue-generating, investor-ready firm. You will be provided with one-on-one mentorship, practitioner-led seminars, professional advice and guidance, incubation space, access to R&D facilities, and financial assistance; all at zero equity.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology, Web 3.0
Techstars is a global accelerator for tech startups as well as one of the largest pre-seed investors in the world. In Ireland, they organize the Techstars Web3 Accelerator for entrepreneurs developing blockchain technology and tokenization protocols that will lead to a more decentralized future. Within 3 months, startups will be provided with workshops and curated materials, mentoring, and many opportunities to share knowledge with fellow entrepreneurs. They also provide numerous business and fundraising opportunities from their unequaled network of investors and corporate partners.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: AgriTech
Pearse Lyons Accelerator is a program by Alltech, a leading agriculture company, that offers the path to the implementation of innovative agricultural solutions that promote a Planet of Plenty. Drawing on Alltech's extensive knowledge and worldwide presence, their year-long program provides agritech startups with the opportunity to launch commercial pilots with Alltech or one of their partners.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Life Science, MedTech, ICT, Engineering/Manufacturing/Electronics
Founded in 1988, Further provides aspiring entrepreneurs with a comprehensive set of support and resources to help Irish founders establish and expand their businesses. Amongst their startup initiatives is Go Furthr, a 20+hour consulting and acceleration program specifically designed to make your company investor-ready. You will work with a knowledgeable consultant to turn your ideas into a viable business plan. There is also the Sprint program, where founders can learn to build the groundwork of their business, including customer acquisition, revenue generation, sales planning, financial modeling and planning, and people management. They are dedicated to providing every advantage for their startups, whether through advice, programs, seminars, financing possibilities, or networking events.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Multiple Sectors
The Guinness Enterprise Centre is Ireland's entrepreneurial superhub that offers a dynamic environment for world-class businesses to launch and scale. Aside from office space, they offer a range of business support services and a network to a national and worldwide community of entrepreneurs, high-growth firms, investors, and support agencies. They host a number of startup programs where the community may exchange information, experience, ideas, and contacts, as well as form collaborations. From seed finance to Series A, the GEC will assist you in becoming investment-ready and direct you to funding channels that will meet your needs and growth ambitions.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Multiple Sectors, Finance
Start Path is the startup initiative by MasterCard, the world's second-largest payment-processing corporation. In line with their expertise, they organize a number of programs in the financial sector that assist startups in generating funds, link to the larger payments ecosystem, and build a more inclusive economy. Through their programs, startups may receive the opportunity to create businesses and solutions in collaboration with the reputable global payment provider, as well as other commercial opportunities with MasterCard and their client base.
Growth Stage Startup Accelerators in Ireland
Full list of growth-stage startup accelerators in Ireland:
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Cybersecurity, Internet of Things (IOT), Blockchain, AI, Health & Bioinformatics, Defence, Critical Infrastructure, Financial Services & Logistics
The International Security Accelerator works with early-stage security firms that are building their business plans and are raising investments to accelerate their business growth. As part of the program, startups will engage in 13 weeks of intensive tailor-made acceleration delivered by seasoned entrepreneurs who have developed successful businesses and obtained exits. At the end, participants will have a higher capacity and ability to scale by developing a high-performing team for growth, increasing sales, reaching foreign markets, and attracting external capital.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Food and Beverage
Food Works is a program for Irish food and beverage startups, led as a tri-agency effort by Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland, and Teagasc. They collaborate with early-stage food and beverage firms to help them succeed in domestic and international markets. Over the course of 10 months, you will be given a custom-tailored schedule of business advisor support sessions intended to assist you in critically evaluating your company concept and developing an investor-ready business plan. At the end of the program, startups will pitch to a panel of prominent food and beverage industry professionals to gain external feedback and advice from industry peers. To participate, the Food Works initiative does charge a fee of EUR 3,000 (VAT exempt).
Closing Thoughts on Startup Incubators and Accelerators in Ireland
Ireland is well-equipped to support the startup's growth and success, thanks to its nurturing and cultivating entrepreneurial environment. One of the major benefits for entrepreneurs in Ireland is the exceptional ecosystem of accelerators, incubators, and government support programs comprising mentoring, financing, office space, and access to vast networks. Furthermore, the wealth of talent in the nation, as well as the clustering of startups adjacent to corporations, research institutes, and universities, are also pushing collaboration and innovation throughout the ecosystem. As a result of a business-friendly climate assured by the Irish government and the plethora of accessible startup programs, startups can build, establish, and grow their startup in Ireland with confidence.
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