New Frontiers at the Media Cube IADT and NovaUCD
New Frontiers is the national entrepreneurial development programme for ambitious early-stage founders with innovative business ideas which have the potential to scale and provide employment. It provides the skills, support, and confidence needed to make the leap to starting a successful business.
New Frontiers is designed for individuals who:
- Are early-stage founders
- Are new to business, have experience in a completely different industry, or haven’t yet successfully built or scaled a business
- Have an innovative business idea with scaling, export and employment potential
- Can show evidence of a commercial market for their proposed product/service
- Have experience, sectoral and/or technical knowledge in the area of their business idea
- Have the drive and ambition required to commit fully to building a successful start-up
The New Frontiers programme is run over 2 Phases – see below for more information on each phase.
Phase 1 – Part-time evening sessions or weekend bootcamp
Typically held part-time over an 8 to 10 week period, Phase 1 helps you to research and test the market potential of your business idea. These sessions will help you evaluate your idea, understand your customer needs, and identify your value proposition.
· Part-time across weekends or evenings
· You can continue in employment
· A great introduction if you are thinking of applying to Phase 2
· Helps you arrive at a go/no-go decision
Phase 1 is for very early-stage ideas. Some founders may feel that Phase 2 is a better fit for their level of knowledge and stage of development, however we recommend you start with Phase 1 to strengthen your foundational skills and experience.
IADT NovaUCD New Frontiers – Phase 1 Applications are now open!
- Applications are now closed for the Midweek programme. The Bootcamp is now open for applications.
- Bootcamp Phase 1, apply here
Do you have an innovative business idea with the potential to become a successful, scalable business?
IADT NovaUCD New Frontiers Phase 1 gives aspiring founders the opportunity to explore, research and test the market potential of their business idea — helping you turn an idea into a viable business opportunity.
Choose from two Phase 1 programme formats:
Phase 1 Midweek
- The application deadline for the Midweek programme has passed. Details to apply for the Bootcamp are below.
Phase 1 Bootcamp
Apply here
An intensive programme delivered over two weekends, designed to help you rapidly explore and develop your business idea.
- Dates: 27, 28 & 29 November and 4, 5 & 6 December 2026
- Format: Hybrid – a combination of in-person and online sessions
- Schedule: Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday across two weekends
- Apply here
- Closing date for receipt of Weekend Bootcamp applications is September 20th at 12pm
What’s next?
Ready to explore the potential of your business idea?
Apply now for IADT NovaUCD New Frontiers Phase 1 and take the first step towards building your startup.
- IADT NovaUCD Phase 1 Midweek, closed for applications.
- IADT NovaUCD Phase 1 Bootcamp, apply here
Applications for the IADT NovaUCD New Frontiers Phase 2 programme will open in mid-December 2026.
Phase 2 – Full-time 6-month in person programme
This is a full-time, intensive accelerator programme designed for founders who are serious about building and scaling a high-potential startup. Entry is competitive, and places are offered to entrepreneurs with strong ideas, ambition, and a clear appetite for growth.
Over the course of six months, you will immerse yourself in a structured, founder-focused journey that helps you refine, validate, and strengthen your business proposition. You’ll gain the entrepreneurial skills you need to progress with confidence—supported every step of the way by experienced mentors, sector experts, and a community of fellow founders.
Expect a dynamic mix of practical workshops, one-to-one mentoring, lunch-and-learn sessions, networking opportunities, and regular milestone reviews. The programme gives you access to insights from those who have successfully navigated the startup journey, helping you anticipate challenges, avoid common pitfalls, and accelerate your progress.
New Frontiers phase 2 provides the environment, expertise, and momentum to support your next leap forward.
If you’re ready to commit to your start-up’s growth, we invite you to apply and join a community of driven innovators shaping the future.
In Phase 2 you will:
- Receive support package worth over €30,000, including a €15,000 tax-free allowance (subject to eligibility and satisfactory performance)
- Have regular milestone review meetings to monitor your progress and personalised one-to-one mentoring with seasoned business mentors
- Attend Expert-led workshops in all areas of building a business
- Receive expert advice and guidance from an experienced programme team, investors, and alumni.
- Have access to seed and early-stage capital investment networks
- Have access to free co-working space
- Have access to Enterprise Ireland resources, for example their Market Research Centre.
Note: You don’t need to complete Phase 1 in order to apply for Phase 2. However, lots of founders find it beneficial to start with Phase 1.
- To express your interest, email: NewFrontiers@IADT.ie
- If you’d like to speak with a programme manager, contact NewFrontiers@IADT.ie to arrange a call
Important Note on Eligibility: You must be based, and intend to run your business in Ireland. In addition, applicants must be eligible to live AND run a business in the Republic of Ireland. If your current visa status does not allow you to run a business in Ireland, you must regularise your visa situation before being accepted on to the programme. Please refer to current guidelines from the Department of Justice with regard to the status of non-EEA nationals wishing to set up a business in Ireland.
Who should apply?
New Frontiers is designed for entrepreneurs who have an innovative business idea and plan to establish and run their own company in Ireland. The business must have the potential to scale internationally and generate employment.
The Programme is open to business ideas from a range of sectors including food and consumer products; information and communication technology; engineering and electronics; medical devices; biotechnology; pharma; digital media; cleantech/renewable energy; eligible internationally traded services. Places on all phases of New Frontiers are assigned through a competitive process.