PorterShed has launched AI Venture Forge Accelerator, a 12-week programme designed to bring AI-first start-ups and corporate innovation teams towards real commercial traction and investor readiness.
Adapted from the globally proven ‘disciplined entrepreneurship‘ model, AI Venture Forge is geared towards start-ups and innovation teams where AI is not simply an add-on, but the heart of the product.
Delivered both onsite in Galway City and virtually by the PorterShed Programmes team and led by programme manager Dushyant Singh, AI Venture Forge is designed with an international focus from the outset.
During the programme, participating teams will travel to either London or Paris to deepen market understanding, build networks, and develop a ‘born global’ mindset. Following the programme, during the three-month post-programme off-ramp phase, companies will travel to San Francisco to focus on fundraising, sales pipeline building, and US expansion.
The launch of the AI Venture Forge follows PorterShed’s year-long strategic investment into AI innovation capacity-building in the West of Ireland. Beginning with the GenAI Hackathon in June 2024, through to its regional partnership role in the National AI Challenge (led by TechIreland) and the introduction of an AI stream in the NDRC Founder Weekend in September, PorterShed has spent the past year foregrounding AI innovation not as a tech trend, but as a driver of Ireland’s future economic competitiveness.
Programme manager Dushyant Singh (pictured) said: “We saw a clear distinction between teams using AI for real product innovation and those applying AI superficially. The Programme is designed to work with technical teams building infrastructure and applications that will define industries in five years’ time, not just bolt-on features. This programme will be supported by AI experts and founders, who will be on site to give mentorship, feedback and provide supports”.
The search for participants will be nationwide, assisting with the ‘talent search’ and programme will be the RDI Hub in Kerry, Republic of Work in Cork and Dogpatch Labs in Dublin.
TechCentral Reporters
Subscribers 0
Fans 0
Followers 0
Followers