Enterprise Ireland is calling on potential entrepreneurs with an innovative business idea to apply for a place on its New Frontiers programme, which offers funding of up to €15,000.

Last year New Frontiers, Ireland’s national entrepreneur development programme that is delivered at a local level by the Institutes of Technology, supported over 120 new business ventures. A further €12.65 million is now being invested for the next three years of the programme.

The programme provides budding entrepreneurs with a package of supports including funding of €15,000, office space, mentoring and workshops to help accelerate their business development. The aim is to equip participants with the skills and contacts they need to successfully start and grow a company.

Yvonne Brady, CEO and founder of EVB Sports Shorts Ltd, which has designed a compression sports brief, joined the programme in March last year. Since then, she has been awarded Competitive Start Funding of €50,000 from Enterprise Ireland to further develop the product and business and to make her business market- ready.

She says that the programme provided her with “amazing resources, coaching, mentoring and placed me in a creative space with other like minded individuals all trying to get a business off the ground”.