Enterprise Ireland
New Frontiers Programme
aka New Frontiers
Six-month entrepreneur development programme delivered through Institutes of Technology and Technological Universities, including a tax-free stipend of EUR15,000 in Phase 2.
EUR15,000 tax-free stipend (Phase 2) plus programme support
Last reviewed May 2026
What this scheme funds
New Frontiers is Ireland's national entrepreneur development programme, funded by Enterprise Ireland and delivered by Technological Universities and Institutes of Technology around the country. It is structured in three phases: Phase 1 is a part-time pre-accelerator, Phase 2 is a full-time six-month accelerator with a tax-free stipend of EUR15,000 to let the founder commit full-time, and Phase 3 is post-programme business development support. The programme focuses on innovative, scalable, internationally traded businesses (software and deep-tech are heavily represented). Successful completion is often the on-ramp to subsequent Enterprise Ireland funding such as the Pre-Seed Start Fund or High Potential Start-Up classification.
Application window
Calls open multiple times per year at each delivery partner
Who can apply
- •Innovative business idea with international ambition
- •Founder available full-time for the six-month Phase 2
- •Business not yet generating significant revenue
- •Apply via the participating Technological University or Institute of Technology
How it typically funds software
- •Validating product-market fit before committing to a full software stack
- •Stipend allows founders to evaluate accounting, CRM and PM tools before paid trading begins
Worth knowing
Each delivery partner runs its own intake calendar; the central New Frontiers site lists current calls.
Software categories this can fund
Related grants
Enterprise Ireland
Pre-Seed Start Fund
Convertible loan note investment of up to EUR100,000 for early-stage HPSU candidates and innovative female-founder businesses.
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High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) Funding
Equity-style investment from Enterprise Ireland into export-led start-ups with the potential to reach EUR1m in sales and 10 employees within three years.
Enterprise Ireland
Innovation Voucher
EUR5,000 voucher that funds a small business to work with a registered higher-education or research institution on an innovation question.