Enterprise Ireland-backed initiative Prep4Seed begins 12-week journey to help ambitious founders prepare for investment and scale internationally.
Eighteen high-growth start-ups from across Ireland have been selected to take part in the latest Prep4Seed Programme, a national investor-readiness initiative delivered by the Irish Business Innovation Centres (BICs) in collaboration with Enterprise Ireland.
The 12-week programme officially got under way in Cork on Tuesday, bringing together founders from a broad range of sectors including climate technology, sustainability, life sciences, fintech, digital technology, food, drinks and consumer goods.
“Prep4Seed plays an important role in supporting ambitious early-stage companies to build the foundations for investment and sustainable growth”
Designed to help early-stage companies prepare for investment and future growth, the programme combines a series of expert-led masterclasses with tailored one-to-one mentoring sessions delivered by experienced BIC consultants.
Why Prep4Seed is vital
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is Prep4Seed? | Prep4Seed is a 12-week investor-readiness programme for high-growth Irish start-ups delivered by the Irish BICs in partnership with Enterprise Ireland. |
| How many companies were selected for Prep4Seed 2026? | Eighteen high-growth start-ups were selected for the latest cohort. |
| Who delivers the Prep4Seed programme? | The programme is delivered by AxisBIC, Furthr, Propelor BIC and WestBIC in collaboration with Enterprise Ireland. |
| When did the 2026 Prep4Seed programme begin? | The latest programme began with an in-person masterclass in Cork on 8 September 2026. |
| What is the purpose of Prep4Seed? | The programme helps early-stage companies become investor-ready, strengthen growth strategies and prepare for fundraising. |
| How long does the programme last? | Prep4Seed runs for 12 weeks. |
| What support do participating companies receive? | Participants receive five specialist masterclasses and six tailored one-to-one mentoring sessions with experienced BIC consultants. |
| What sectors are represented in the 2026 cohort? | Climate technology, sustainability, life sciences, fintech, digital technology, food, drinks and consumer goods. |
| What is Investor Pitch Day? | Investor Pitch Day is the final stage of the programme where participants present their businesses to potential investors. |
| When and where is Investor Pitch Day 2026? | The event will take place on 18 November 2026 at Enterprise Ireland’s Eastpoint office in Dublin. |
| What did Enterprise Ireland say about the programme? | Conor O’Donovan, Head of Startups at Enterprise Ireland, said the programme equips founders with the tools and investor-readiness support needed to scale and compete internationally. |
| What did AxisBIC say about Prep4Seed? | Larry O’Donoghue, CEO of AxisBIC, said the programme helps founders build the foundations for investment, sustainable growth and investor readiness. |
| Which companies were selected for Prep4Seed 2026? | Ainmhí Beauty, Alfaeye, Bean Around, ComplyB4 Limited, Doctrine, Fashion Connect Ireland Limited, Genotrial Health Ltd (Evident), Intelireg Limited (Envaira), Kelvinix, Key2Biotics Limited, Otis Technology, PharmaFast, Sea plus Solu, Seer Health Limited, Slíglas Limited, Talexa, Timeless Beauty and Well Preserved Limited (Mór Taste). |
| Why is Prep4Seed important for Irish start-ups? | It helps founders develop investment strategies, improve investor communications and prepare businesses for future fundraising and growth. |
| Who funds or supports Prep4Seed? | The programme is supported by Enterprise Ireland and delivered through Ireland’s network of Business Innovation Centres (BICs). |
Born local, think global
“Enterprise Ireland is committed to supporting ambitious start-ups to scale and compete internationally,” said Conor O’Donovan, Head of Startups at Enterprise Ireland.
“Prep4Seed equips founders with the tools and investor-readiness support they need to take that next step, and we look forward to seeing this latest cohort progress through the programme and beyond.”
The programme is delivered nationally by AxisBIC, Furthr, Propelor BIC and WestBIC, which work closely with Enterprise Ireland to support the development of high-potential start-ups throughout the country.
Opening the first Prep4Seed Masterclass in Cork, AxisBIC CEO Larry O’Donoghue highlighted the programme’s role in helping founders prepare for sustainable expansion and investment opportunities.
“It is fantastic to welcome the latest Prep4Seed cohort to Cork. Delivered in partnership with the IrishBICs and Enterprise Ireland, Prep4Seed plays an important role in supporting ambitious early-stage companies to build the foundations for investment and sustainable growth,” said O’Donoghue.
“We have seen first-hand the impact Prep4Seed has in helping to develop the next generation of high-potential Irish start-ups, giving founders the skills, confidence and investor readiness they need to turn ambition into growth.”
Throughout the programme, participating companies will complete five specialist masterclasses while also receiving six bespoke one-to-one advisory sessions. The individual support is designed to help founders apply the programme’s learning directly to their own businesses and investment strategies.
A key element of the initiative is intensive investor pitch preparation. The programme will culminate in an Investor Pitch Day at Enterprise Ireland’s Eastpoint office in Dublin on 18 November, where participating companies will present their businesses to potential investors.
The 18 companies selected for the 2026 Prep4Seed cohort are Ainmhí Beauty, Alfaeye, Bean Around, ComplyB4 Limited, Doctrine, Fashion Connect Ireland Limited, Genotrial Health Ltd trading as Evident, Intelireg Limited trading as Envaira, Kelvinix, Key2Biotics Limited, Otis Technology, PharmaFast, Sea plus Solu, Seer Health Limited, Slíglas Limited, Talexa, Timeless Beauty, and Well Preserved Limited trading as Mór Taste.
The cohort reflects the breadth of innovation emerging across Ireland’s start-up ecosystem, with founders developing solutions across health, sustainability, technology, consumer products and digital services as they prepare for their next stage of growth.
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