LaunchPad Programme - Launching Great Ideas
Aspiring tech entrepreneurs, passionate geeks and start-up promoters are invited to take part in ‘LaunchPad’.
LaunchPad, the Entrepreneurial Internship Programme from the National Digital Research Centre, is a three-month accelerator programme, targeted at enabling great people to launch great ideas in the digital space.
Key dates:
• The deadline for applications is 5pm on 17th November 2010.
• Eligible applicants will be invited to pitch between 25th November and 2nd December.
• For successful applicants, the programme will start on 5th January 2011
A number of applicants will be invited to NDRC to pitch their concept to a panel of judges. Successful
applicants will be provided with a dedicated working environment within
the Digital Hub for the 3 month period, a hands-on mentoring programme
from industry experts; weekly workshops and networking opportunities;
plus an investment of up to €20,000 per project. All projects work
towards a product or service launch, on completion projects will take
part in “LaunchPad Lift-off” where they will network and pitch to
investors in a battle for funding.
A number of projects have achieved successes through the LaunchPad programme to date. One company that has emerged from LaunchPad is Point The Way – offering an advanced GPS navigation system for the visually impaired. While taking part in LaunchPad Point-the-Way secured an advisory team that includes the National Council for the Blind. Point-the-Way are currently in discussion with the Royal National Institute of Blind People in the UK, technology companies and other partners on the potential to improve the independence of blind people. Glidesys Technologies Ltd joined LaunchPad with their product Glidebooks, an instant activity sharing service that addresses the cost and complexity of managing a mobile workforce, back-office operations and customers. During their time in the LaunchPad programme, Glidebooks secured follow-on funding, built an advisory board from academia and industry and is currently testing their product with a user base of 250 people.
Closing date for application to “LaunchPad” is 5pm on 17th November 2010. Selected applicants will pitch for entry into the programme to a panel of evaluators and the programme start date will be 5th January 2011. To apply for a place on the LaunchPad programme visit http://www.ndrc.ie/submit/launchpad/