Business News

VentureLaunch, UCD’s new accelerator programme lifts-off

By Business & Finance
25 September 2013
UCD VentureLaunch

Seven early-stage companies and new ventures from UCD and the NCAD are currently taking part in UCD’s new three-month VentureLaunch Accelerator Programme.

The overall objective of the UCD VentureLaunch Accelerator Programme is to support the creation, and accelerate the launch, of sustainable and profitable new ventures based on intellectual property emerging from UCD and NCAD, a recognised college of the university.

The new programme, which will run annually, has been designed and is managed by UCD’s Office of the Vice-President for Innovation and takes place at NovaUCD, the Centre for New Ventures and Entrepreneurs at the university.

The programme aims is to equip UCD and NCAD researchers with the knowledge, skills and understanding that will be required to work as part of a team leading a new commercial venture. On completion of the programme the participating new ventures will have developed a commercially viable business plan.

Five of the participating new ventures; Aficionado, BlackLabBio, Fondúireacht Bhéaloideas Éireann, Kinesis Healthcare Technologies Ltd and Nuritas Ltd are emerging from UCD, while the other two, Gazel and Obeo, are emerging from NCAD.

During the programme projects will also gain expert mentoring on marketing, finance and funding, sales, and pitching to investors.

Derek McGarry, head of design innovation and commercialisation, NCAD, said: “Everyone at NCAD Origin8 is delighted to have their first two potential spin-out companies make it into the highly competitive UCD VentureLaunch Accelerator Programme. Gazel and Obeo are exciting product design companies that will benefit significantly from this intensive start-up programme aimed at commercialising innovative ideas.”

The overall winner of the programme will be announced at a VentureLaunch Accelerator Programme Awards event to be held in UCD in late November. The winner will receive a cash prize of €10,000 as well as a professional services package worth an additional €15,000.