PorterShed’s AI Venture Forge accelerator debuts with MIT and ICHEC partnerships

Ten start-ups get to high-performance computing and software platform resources

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Pictured: Arik Elberse, Dushyant Singh, Damion McGing, Kieran Collins, Mary Rodgers, Rishabh Chandaliya, Cathal Nugent, Yvonne Comer, Stephanus Meiring, Aileen Sheehan, Colm McSweeney, Maurice O’Gorman, Nicole Bonamici, Jefferson Oliveira, Steve Rock, John Breslin, Norma Carty, Eoin Cobbe, Matthew Cahill, Matthew McCann

Ten AI start-ups are taking part in a new start-up accelerator hosted by PorterShed in Galway City.

AI Venture Forge Accelerator is 12-week programme designed to transform AI-first start-ups and corporate innovation teams into globally competitive ventures.

The Accelerator is rooted in the Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and is tailored for ventures where artificial intelligence is central, not peripheral.

In collaboration with the MIT Martin Trust Centre for Entrepreneurship, PorterShed is giving participants exclusive access to Orbit, MIT’s AI-powered platform.

Orbit provides founders with state-of-the-art tools for validating markets, designing products, and scaling their businesses, marking the first time an Irish national accelerator has offered this kind of resource. Inspired by the disciplined entrepreneurship principles of Bill Aulet and the start-up methodologies of Paul Cheek, Orbit is rooted in the practices of the Martin Trust Centre, bringing a globally proven approach to the Irish AI ecosystem.

In addition, PorterShed has partnered with the Irish Centre for High-End Computing (ICHEC) to give participating start-ups access to powerful computing resources. This support will allow teams to develop and test their AI products much more efficiently.

Each team can secure time on advanced computer systems, which include high-performance processors, cutting edge graphics cards, and storage. ICHEC will also help participants and guide them on how to best use these resources. This partnership is a major advantage for early-stage companies working on complex AI projects, helping them build and scale their ideas with world-class technical support.

Notably, 40% of new cohort have been founded or co-founded by women, while 80% of the group comes from outside Dublin, with founders from Belfast, Dublin, Galway, Limerick, Cork, Kilkenny, and Wexford all participating.

Over the 12-week programme, the cohort will benefit from tailored business support, advanced GPU infrastructure, top-tier mentorship, and opportunities to validate and expand their solutions in international markets

On completion, teams will enter a three-month post-accelerator support phase, culminating in a trip to San Francisco, focused on fundraising, sales acceleration, and US market entry.

TechCentral Reporters

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