Seven entrepreneurs have been selected for the second edition of Endeavor Ireland's Northern Ireland Scale-Up programme to accelerate the growth of high-potential start-ups.

Since opening its Ireland office in 2019, non-profit Endeavor has added 15 founders from 11 companies to its network, including leaders from Cubic Telecom, Strong Roots, LearnUpon, Wayflyer, Gym+Coffee, XOCEAN, Keelvar, Thérapie Group, Sculpted by Aimee, and Overhaul.

Last year, Karl Gilbert from Raylo became the first entrepreneur from Northern Ireland to be selected to join the network.

Collectively, these companies employ over 3,000 staff and generate revenues exceeding approximately €650m.

As part of its mission to support the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem, Endeavor Ireland has run several Scale Up Programmes, including the first Northern Ireland Scale Up Programme in 2024.

Last year’s cohort included Ryan Donnelly, co-founder of Enzai; Laura Haldane, co-founder of SciLeads; Mark Dowds, Founder of RESPONSIBLE; Greg Maguire, founder of Humain Studios; and Roger Johnston, founder and CEO of Axial3D, which raised $18.2m in December to expand medical imaging technology.

Following a call for applications in December, six Northern Ireland-based founders have been selected for this year’s programme:

• Ciaran Gillen, co-founder and CEO, Digital Iron.
• Fiona Jelly, co-founder and CEO, ComplyFirst, a RegTech platform that simplifies regulatory compliance for financial services companies.
• Jonny Clarke, founder and CEO, Locate a Locum, a platform connecting healthcare professionals with employers that specialises in pharmacy and optometry.
• Liam McStravick, founder and CEO, TeamFeePay, a club management system used in grassroots football administration.
• Mark Shields, founder, Taka, a highlights, data and analysis platform for youth soccer.
• Oliver Lennon and Catherine Ewings, co-founders, Syndeo, an enterprise-grade conversational AI platform to enhance digital customer engagement.

The entrants will now participate in a five-month programme that includes a number of curated one-on-one mentorships with Endeavor network members, selected based on the specific needs of each founder and company.

The first session of the programme was hosted at Queen's University Belfast last week.

Additionally, the cohort will have opportunities to engage with the wider Endeavor network locally and globally through in-person events, including hands-on workshops and a networking dinner. 

U2 guitarist The Edge is the founding chair of the Endeavor Ireland board, sitting alongside Northern Ireland angel investor Angela Moore, AMS founder Rosaleen Blair. Paddy McKillen is a former board member.

Kieran McLoughlin, founder and manager partner of programme sponsor VentureWave Capital, said the private equity was delighted to fund the programme and support Endeavor Ireland's cross-border activities.

"We are consistently impressed by the exceptional talent and innovation emerging in Northern Ireland. This is evident in the outstanding founders selected for this year’s programme. We look forward to supporting them as they scale and achieve their full potential," he added.

Aileen Hayes, managing director of Endeavor Ireland, said: "We’re excited to launch a second Scale Up Programme for Northern Ireland, inspired by and building on the incredible talent we saw in our first cohort.

"Northern Ireland’s entrepreneurial ecosystem continues to go from strength to strength, and this programme is designed to provide founders with the mentorship, strategic guidance, and global network needed to accelerate their growth.

"This second cohort of founders is solving problems in industries as wide as AI, heavy machinery and sports tech, and we’re looking forward to working with them in the months ahead."

Photo: (l-r) Ciaran Gillen, Digital Iron; Jonny Clarke, Locate a Locum; Liam McStravick, TeamFeePay;  Catherine Ewings, Syndeo; Mark Shields, Taka;  Fiona Jelly, ComplyFirst; Oliver Lennon, Syndeo. (Pic: Darren Kidd/Press Eye)