NovaUCD and CeADAR-led programme supports AI-first ventures to scale globally and prepare for investment.
Ten AI-focused start-ups have commenced a six-month accelerator programme at University College Dublin aimed at accelerating commercial traction and preparing companies for global growth and investment.
The participants have been selected for the third AI Ecosystem Accelerator Programme, delivered by NovaUCD in partnership with CeADAR, Ireland’s Centre for Applied AI. The programme forms part of CeADAR’s European Digital Innovation Hub for AI initiative, which supports Irish start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises adopting and scaling artificial intelligence.
The start-ups taking part in the 2026 cohort are AnotherTrip, Databuckets, Diotima, Envaira, Infralign.ai, MESO, NeuroNourish, RunCommerce, Setanta Space and Stormlands Mining.
Conversion engine
Designed as a six-month intensive programme, the accelerator targets AI-first companies that have already achieved early market validation or are running live pilots. The focus is on helping founders convert early momentum into commercial scale, particularly in international markets, while progressing towards closing funding rounds.
Michelle Doyle, senior manager of strategic innovation partnerships at NovaUCD, said the demand for places on the programme reflected the growing maturity of Ireland’s AI start-up ecosystem.
“I would like to congratulate the ten start-ups which have been selected, following a very competitive selection process, to participate in our third AI Ecosystem Accelerator programme.
“This year’s programme has been designed as a conversion engine to support ambitious, AI-first start-ups that already have market validation or live pilots underway and are now focused on accelerating traction on a global stage and are seeking to close a funding round this year.”
Participants will receive structured support across commercial strategy, fundraising and technical development. This includes direct engagement with CeADAR’s AI specialists, who will work with founders on areas such as data strategy, model evaluation, deployment readiness and ensuring AI systems are robust and suitable for real-world use.
Dr Ricardo Simon Carbajo, director of innovation and development at CeADAR, said the accelerator plays a central role in the organisation’s wider mission to reduce risk and increase adoption of applied AI.
“It is quite rewarding to see the growing interest of entrepreneurs in our AI Ecosystem Accelerator year on year. The Accelerator is a key pillar of CeADAR’s European Digital Innovation Hub for AI programme which has a set of services to reduce the risk and catalyse the adoption of AI in start-ups, SMEs and public sector organisations.”
Twenty start-ups have completed the AI Ecosystem Accelerator since its launch, including Customs Window, TrojanTrack, UniDoodle and Wrksense, with several going on to secure funding and commercial partnerships.
The programme is funded through the European Digital Innovation Hubs framework, a Europe-wide initiative supported by the European Commission and the governments of EU member states. In Ireland, the EDIH programme is led by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, with Enterprise Ireland responsible for delivery.
The 2026 AI Ecosystem Accelerator Programme will conclude with a showcase event in October, where participating companies will present their progress to investors, industry partners and the wider innovation community.
Among the 20 start-ups which have completed AI Ecosystem Accelerator Programmes delivered to date are Customs Window, TrojanTrack, UniDoodle and Wrksense.
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