NDRC Launchpad attracts 70 applicant for 15 places

The National Digital Research Centre in Dublin (NDRC) is currently evaluating 70 Irish and international applications to participate in its Launchpad accelerator programme for digital start-up enterprises. A total of 15 of the most promising start-ups will be selected for the investment programme which starts in mid-February and culminates in a year-end competition for a follow-on investment sourced from VCs and angels. NDRC provides up to €20,000 per project in micro-seed investment to support the founders during the programme.

Following the current competitive selection process, NDRC Launchpad participants will start into a three month intensive mentoring and advisory programme alongside other start-ups, innovators, engineers and investors. At the end of this period, the start-up promoters will pitch for follow-on investment. All of them will then also have the option of a further six-to-nine months of development time at NDRC in Dublin’s Digital Hub district.

Last year, NDRC Launchpad was identified in the top six best accelerators in Europe following a study by the US Kaufman Fellows Programme. NDRC has supported the acceleration of 30 start-ups through its Launchpad programme since it was established in 2009.

Working in joint venture collaborations with industry and a range of investment partners, the NDRC has secured commercial investments of €4.8 million in technology developments and emerging enterprises by third party partners in the past 18 months.

TechCentral Reporters

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