15 January 2024
A new Artificial Intelligence (AI) accelerator programme has been announced for start-ups at University College Dublin (UCD).
The six-month programme, which begins in April, will be delivered by NovaUCD, the university's hub of innovation and start-up activities, in partnership with CeADAR, Ireland's National Centre for Applied AI.
The focus of the new accelerator will be to support entrepreneurs who are developing AI solutions in sectors including, healthcare, cybersecurity, education, sustainability, finance, content creation, supply chain and customer service, for a global market.
Supports for participants will include a dedicated commercial mentor and workshops on value proposition, route to market, sales strategies and securing investment.
The programme is being funded through the European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH) framework, a Europe-wide initiative with funding of €700m from both the European Commission and the Governments of member states.
Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation Dara Calleary announced the new programme today.
"Sitting at the crossroads of higher education, industry, and research, the AI Ecosystem Accelerator programme aims to support AI start-ups grow through dedicated technical and commercial supports," Mr Calleary said.
Tom Flanagan, Director of Enterprise and Commercialisation at UCD, said the new programme will showcase and support the most advanced AI start-ups in Ireland.
"We are currently seeking applications from Irish-based start-ups with really novel AI based products or services, who want to be part of an ecosystem of the most successful entrepreneurs in Ireland using AI," Mr Flanagan said.
Source: RTE