New Frontiers alumni raise €23.3m and create 197 jobs

More than 300 entrepreneurs completed the IADT NovaUCD New Frontiers programme, raising €23.3m, creating 197 jobs and showcasing award-winning start-ups.

More than 300 entrepreneurs from the greater South Dublin and North Wicklow region have completed the IADT and NovaUCD New Frontiers programme over the past five years, collectively raising €23.3 million in funding and creating 197 jobs.

The milestone was announced at the Carnegie Library in Dún Laoghaire during a showcase event marking the conclusion of the 2026 IADT NovaUCD New Frontiers Phase 2 programme, where five start-ups were recognised for their achievements following pitches to an expert judging panel.

Funded by Enterprise Ireland and delivered annually by IADT and NovaUCD since 2022, the programme has supported 301 entrepreneurs in testing business ideas, establishing ventures and preparing start-ups for investment and growth.

KEY NUMBERS: IADT NovaUCD New Frontiers Impact

Pitch perfect

Eleven start-ups pitched at the event, with five receiving awards across different categories.

The Best Pitch Award, sponsored by IADT Media Cube, was presented to Beth Pereira, founder of Cavalloré, an AI-driven digital equine injury management system.

The One to Watch Award, sponsored by NovaUCD, went to Gearóid Keegan of Hedj, which is developing an accessible risk management system for small and medium-sized companies.

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The Most Likely to Scale Award, sponsored by Flynn O’Driscoll, was awarded to Alistair Bunch of GNV, a B2B platform providing real-time end-to-end supply chain traceability.

The Most Innovative Award, sponsored by EisnerAmper, was presented to Susie Kilcoyne of Locket AI Labs, which is developing an AI agent and community-powered e-commerce retention infrastructure designed to replace static marketing rules with personalised customer experiences.

Jenny Kilbride of MyLaw received the Most Likely to Succeed Award, sponsored by LEO DLR, for her legal platform focused on commercial contracts.

The remaining pitching companies were ESG Data Core, Ganzy, LR Music, LuminaeCx, RespÉire and Wealth Wisdom.

Making an impact

Liam Cronin, director of Innovation at UCD, said the programme’s impact was evident in both funding secured and jobs created by participating founders.

“Congratulations to the five Awardees, and indeed all the participants, who have just completed the fifth Enterprise Ireland funded New Frontiers Programme delivered by NovaUCD in partnership with IADT.

“It is fantastic to see the impact delivered since 2022 in terms of the number of entrepreneurs who have completed the programme and who have gone on to successfully secure significant funding and create jobs. I wish this year’s cohort, and indeed all the programme alumni, continued success on the next stages of their start-up journeys as they continue to secure investment and create employment opportunities while they grow and scale at home and further afield.”

Susanne Lestrange, New Frontiers Programme Manager at IADT, said the programme is designed to help founders test ideas and build stronger businesses.

“IADT NovaUCD New Frontiers is about turning entrepreneurial potential into real business opportunity. We give founders the time, expertise, networks and practical support to test their ideas, challenge their thinking and build stronger, more investment-ready businesses. By the end of the programme, founders have not only greater clarity about where they are going, but the confidence, capability and connections to take their businesses forward.”

Ciara Concannon, National Programme Manager for New Frontiers at Enterprise Ireland, highlighted the programme’s role in developing Ireland’s future generation of start-up founders.

“New Frontiers is Enterprise Ireland’s national entrepreneurship development programme, it gives early-stage entrepreneurs a fully supported 6-month period in which to work on their innovative business idea, to take them from idea stage to investment. It’s where we sow the seeds for the next wave of High Potential Start-ups coming from Ireland that will be internationally traded.”

The judging panel included Rachel Gallagher, Enterprise and Innovation Manager at IADT Media Cube; Ciara Concannon, Enterprise Ireland; Lisa Brown, Head of Enterprise at DLR Local Enterprise Office; Jonathan O’Beirne, Senior Associate at Flynn O’Driscoll; and Majella Murphy, Head of Acceleration at Furthr.

Validating propositions

The Phase 2 programme provides founders with six months of business development support, including a €15,000 scholarship, mentoring, workshops and access to the IADT, NovaUCD and wider entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Reflecting on her experience of the programme, award winner Beth Pereira of Cavalloré said it helped her refine and validate her business proposition.

“I came into New Frontiers solving a completely different problem, when I got here, I realised the research I have done was not validating it as a problem, so went back to stage one before I wasted any capital building out a solution that was never going to sell.”

Applications for the next full-time New Frontiers Phase 2 programme, which will begin at IADT’s Dún Laoghaire campus in March 2027, are due to open in mid-December. A hybrid Phase 1 programme is scheduled to commence later this month.

Image at top: Gearóid Keegan, Hedj; Beth Pereira, Cavalloré; Jenny Kilbride, MyLaw; Susie Kilcoyne, Locket AI Labs and Alistair Bunch, GNV, Award winners of the 2026 IADT NovaUCD New Frontiers (Phase 2) Programme. Photo: Alec Moore Photography