Pre-Accelerator
Does your tech startup idea have global potential? Join our six-week virtual Pre-Accelerator programme to find out - the perfect launchpad for founders with ambition.
Take your Startup to the Next Level
This fully virtual, 6-week programme is designed to help you validate your idea, refine your pitch, and connect with an incredible network of fellow founders.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your startup to the next level, our Pre-Accelerator offers great support and resources tailored for success. Don’t miss this opportunity to accelerate your entrepreneurial journey.
Our Winter 2024 Cohort
What to Expect
Connect with brilliant entrepreneurial minds, learn new skills from mentors, and change the way you understand your customer.
Customer Development
Knowing how to talk to your customers and channel their feedback into your product is a skill you never stop using as an entrepreneur. We’ll make sure you start-off on the right path.
Market Validation
We help you work on validating your idea and testing in the market, getting feedback from customers, mentors, and investors who have worked with Ireland’s most successful tech companies.
Learn from Founders & Experts
Featured speakers from our previous programmes include:
Sandra Healy | Founder & CEO of Inclusio
Andreea Wade | iCIMS | VP of Artificial Intelligence
Clare Meskill | Founder & CEO of Telea
Katie Farrell | Co-Founder of SQUID
Marie Martens | Co-Founder of Tally Forms
Luke Mackey | Co-Founder & CEO of Kota
Donnchadh Cullinan | Head of ICT HPSU at EI
Niall McEvoy | Partner, Co Head of Venture at Elkstone
Matthew Conlon | Founder of Cytidel
Brian Sexton | Co-Founder & CTO of Sitenna
Aoife Ní Mhuirí | Founder & CEO of Salaso Health
Darragh McKay | Co-Founder & CEO of Noloco
One Programme, Multiple Supports
Keeping you on track and accountable to hit your milestones.
Fireside Chats
Learn from the high and lows of successful founders and domain experts in an intimate setting that fosters candid discussion and honest insights.
Mentoring
World-class mentorship from entrepreneurs who have built, scaled and exited startups.
Showcase Day
All your hard work culminates in a 3-minute pitch to investors and fellow entrepreneurs worldwide.
Check-Ins
Our regional team leads help you to convert learnings into actions and overcome challenges through this journey.
Workshops
Get on-demand access to content focused on the most important topics to get your startup to the next level.
Breakout Sessions
Give and receive peer support from other founders, and get guidance from your team lead.
“We support early-stage founders shape their ideas into sustainable businesses, accelerating their startup journey and helping them navigate Ireland’s funding landscape to support lasting growth.”
Lizzy Hayashida | NDRC Director
Programme Overview
Week 1
Customer Discovery & Development
Lay a strong foundation: A common issue we see with early stage startups is that they’re either solving the wrong problem, or too small of a problem. We’ll make sure you’re rock solid on your problem before going any further.
Week 2
Product
Building products at an early stage is about finding the value you offer your customers. Learn how to build products that people love.
Week 3
Go-to-Market
Learn how to position your startup, identify your initial target market, and effectively deploy your resources. Gain insights into building momentum and scaling your market presence.
Week 4
Financial Modeling & Market Sizing
Navigate the complexities of financial projections and market sizing. Learn to model your financials and size your market to build credibility with stakeholders and guide your strategic decisions.
Week 5
Refining your Narrative
Your ability to pitch is crucial to the success of your startup at every stage. Learn how to craft and deliver a compelling narrative that convinces people to care from customers to accelerators to investors.
Week 6
Funding & Next Steps
Know your funding options from accelerators to investors. Learn about the investment process and how to calculate your funding needs directly from the experts.
One-of-a-Kind Showcase Day Experience
The Pre-Accelerator culminates in a high-octane Showcase Day, where founders have the opportunity to pitch to an audience of investors, entrepreneurs, potential customers, and stakeholders from across the startup ecosystem.
Is this for you?
The Pre-Accelerator is designed for pre-seed startups that are serious about achieving impactful customer proof points and applying to an accelerator programme within 3 - 6 months of completion.
Do you...
Have a globally focused, scalable, tech startup?
Need to deepen your understanding of customer development?
Want to reach market validation and build something people want, and will pay for?
Wish to better understand pathways to funding?
Let our Pre-Accelerator alumni do the talking…
Cyber startup Cytidel secures €1.35m investment and creates 10 new jobs
Pre-Accelerator Cohort - 2022
Opening doors in the gaming world: ByoWave Raises €2.4m to transform Accessibility
Pre-Accelerator Cohort - 2021
Galway-based Amara Therapeutics raises €3m to revolutionise women's health
Pre-Accelerator Cohort - 2021
2025 Dates Coming Soon!
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FAQ
What are the eligibility criteria for the Pre-Accelerator?
NDRC is backed by the Irish Government and is dedicated to supporting startups based in Ireland. To be eligible for the programme, companies must meet the following criteria:
Location:
The company must be based in Ireland or
At least one of the co-founders must be based in Ireland.
Solution:
The company must have technology at the core of its solutions.
Industry restrictions:
The activities of the applying companies must not be related to gambling, adult entertainment, tobacco, or military sectors.
Is the Pre-Accelerator a prerequisite for the Accelerator?
Going through the Pre-Accelerator programme is not a prerequisite for getting into the Accelerator, but it is designed to help you bring your business to the next level and many participants find that it helps them prepare a stronger application.
Does completing the Pre-Accelerator mean I’m automatically accepted to the Accelerator?
No, Pre-Accelerator graduates still have to apply to the Accelerator. The Accelerator is a competitive process where all applications will be considered equal and reviewed objectively.
Do we have to be first-time founders?
No, the Pre-Accelerator is great for first-time founders but teams with more experienced founders will get lots of value from it too. All applicants will be considered equally.
Is funding provided?
No, there is no funding tied to participation in the Pre-Accelerator; the programme gives you an overview of available funding options and prepares you for conversations with investors, and also on entering an Accelerator programme (which usually offers funding).
What’s the time commitment?
6 sessions over a 6-week period, plus a weekly check-in call with your team lead. Each year, there are 4 Pre-Accelerator programmes co-delivered by the 4 hubs. The sessions are scheduled to run from 4pm - 7pm on Mondays, or Tuesdays when it falls on a bank holiday. The check-in calls are scheduled to run on Thursdays. Final dates to be confirmed.
Do I have to commit to the whole 6 weeks?
Yes, only startups that can commit to the programme dates will be selected.
What is the purpose of the check-in calls?
Linking in with your team lead helps keep you on track and helps us to understand any challenges you’re facing and where we can adapt our content or involve specific mentors to better support you.
Do I have to include a deck in my application?
No, yet we encourage you to, as it’s an opportunity to showcase your startup. A good deck describes the problem, solution, potential market size, business model, traction to date and team. Many believe team is the most important part - it tells us ‘why you’ - so highlight relevant expertise and experience.
If I do not get in this time, when can I apply again?
There are 4 Pre-Accelerators each year - and we encourage you to apply again if you didn’t get in the first time.
Do I need to travel to the hub running the Pre-Accelerator?
The majority of the programme is delivered virtually but there are three in-person sessions held at the lead hub: a cohort kick-off, a midpoint meetup, and a Showcase Day watch party.
Do I need to pay for this?
No, the Pre-Accelerator has no cost to you. However, spots are limited.
Have a question that isn’t answered here?
No problem, reach out to us at programmes@ndrc.ie.