A new programme that is targeted at emerging start-up entrepreneurs is now accepting applications.
The National Digital Research Centre (NDRC) has announced it is accepting applications to the January 2011 Ideas to Income LaunchPad programme, which targets start-up entrepreneurs with strong research links.
Applicants, some of whom will be invited to pitch their concept to a panel of judges at the event, will be accepted from small groups or individual entrepreneurs with ideas for new businesses in the digital space.
LaunchPad Lift-off
Successful applicants will be provided with a dedicated working environment within the Digital Hub for the three-month period, a hands-on mentoring programme from industry experts; weekly workshops and networking opportunities; plus an investment of up to €20,000 per project.
All projects will be working towards a service launch or product launch and on completion, projects will take part in ‘LaunchPad Lift-Off’ – where they will network and pitch to investors in a battle for funding.
Ben Hurley, CEO, NDRC, said the successes of the LaunchPad programmes have enabled them to proceed with their businesses and lead them to potential investors.
“We have seen impressive results from the LaunchPad programmes to date, with 82pc of projects launching prototypes within the three-month programme time period, 27pc of projects that have taken part in LaunchPad have successfully raised finances to proceed with their business and 91pc of projects have met with potential investors,” he said.
“These figures reflect the potential that can be achieved within a short period of time when the right people collaborate and focus on progressing ideas to income,” Hurley continued.
Former winners of the LaunchPad programme include CloudSplit – whose cost-control application for cloud computing succeeded in a highly competitive programme among nine other LaunchPad projects.
The closing date for applications to the LaunchPad programme is 5pm on 17 November 2010.
