Rubicon start-ups have moved from concept to investor readiness, pitching in front of investors in Ireland and the US.
Fifteen Cork start-ups have completed Enterprise Ireland’s New Frontiers Programme in Munster Technology University’s Rubicon centre.
Starting last September, the group participated in a 6-month, full-time acceleration programme, benefitting from seed funding of €15,000, individual professional mentoring, expert-led workshops, access to MTU’s research expertise and free office space for their start-up.
“It’s been very rewarding to watch these founders develop their products and engage with the vibrant start up community that exists in the region”
The start-ups have moved from concept to investor readiness, pitching in front of investors in Ireland and the US.
Ready to launch
MTU Rubicon New Frontiers graduates 2024
In addition to the support from the Rubicon team, mentors and trainers, the founders benefited from the wide range of supports available for startups across the Southwest region and the wide network of New Frontiers alumni.
Nine of the startups have already launched their products on the market, with customers in Ireland and abroad. Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices are continuing to provide assistance and many of the startups are working with MTU’s Technology Gateways which are providing technical supports to help them implement their product road maps.
“It’s been very rewarding to watch these founders develop their products and engage with the vibrant start up community that exists in the region,” said New Frontiers Programme manager Aoife McInerney.
“We look forward to seeing them continue to grow in the coming months and years”.
Elvis Seporaitis of Volta Robotics received the Best Business Opportunity Award at the end of programme and Paula McGovern of Wizard and Grace Candles received the award for Best Pitch.
Elvis Seporaitis commenting on receiving his award said: “New Frontiers provided me with new skills and networks to accelerate my startup business, in a dynamic entrepreneurial environment. I look forward to growing my business using the networks and support available, in the years ahead.”
Alumni of the New Frontiers programme in Cork include LegitFit, BladeBridge, HaPPE Earth, Swyft Energy, Spéire and Kuul Play.
Main image at top: Paul Healy, general manager of the Rubicon Centre, with Elvis Seporaitis of Volta Robotics, Winner of Best Business Opportunity; Paula McGovern of Wizard & Grace Candles, Winner of Best Pitch; and Michael Loftus, vice-president of External Affairs, MTU
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