Entrepreneurs link up at major event in hotel in centre of Limerick

ENTERPRISE Ireland, the Government agency designed to support the growth of new business, backed a major business event in Limerick.

The Clayton Hotel in the city centre played host to the event, themed 'Connections Drive Growth'.

It was organised by the New Frontiers teams at Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) and Munster Technological University in Cork.

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It was also supported by FactoryXChange, which is a European Digital Innovation Hub. This is a one-stop shop created by the European Commission and European Union member states to help smeall and medium sized enterprises with transforming to digital.

It brought together three Enterprise Ireland–funded initiatives: the New Frontiers nationwide programme for ambitious startup founders with scalable, innovative business ideas, the National Technology Gateway Network and the Industry Cluster Network.

More than 50 business people attended, including current New Frontiers participants alongside those who have formerly taken part in the programme, at the Hartnett Accelleration Centre on campus at TUS.

One of these people, Dr Paul Byrnes, chief executive and co-founder of Mavarick AI - which specialises in artificial intelligence - said New Frontiers has been invaluable for growing his firm.

"New Frontiers isn’t just about funding. It’s about building connections, gaining guidance, and finding the insights you need to succeed," he said.

Organisers say the day created space for practical learning, peer connection and candid discussion about the realities of validating ideas, raising finance, building teams and scaling companies.

Dr Gillian Barry, head of innovation and enterprise at TUS said: "New Frontiers is where Ireland’s entrepreneurs get the start they need. It brings structure, guidance and the right connections together in one place, helping founders move faster and with more confidence. When entrepreneurs are supported at this early stage, the whole innovation ecosystem benefits, from industry partners to investors to Ireland’s wider economy.”