Over 170 new entrepreneurs from across the country gathered in Mullingar for Enterprise Ireland’s National New Frontiers networking day.

New Frontiers is a national programme to develop an entrepreneurial skillset in early-stage founders.  

The programme is funded by the Irish government through Enterprise Ireland and delivered in 18 locations around Ireland by third-level institutes.

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, addressed the event along with former participants and experts from the enterprise sector along with members of Enterprise Ireland, the Local Enterprise Offices and Business Innovation Centres.

Minister Burke said: “Entrepreneurship and start-ups are critical to the Irish economy.

"The Government is committed to supporting entrepreneurial endeavour and business ambition through agencies and partners such as Enterprise Ireland, the LEOs, the BICS and the third level sector.

"The New Frontiers Programme is at the very start of this journey and is a vital element in driving an ever-increasing number of start-ups with growth and scaling ambition.”

Ciara Concannon, New Frontiers National Programme Manager, Enterprise Ireland, said: “New Frontiers is an extremely important element of Enterprise Ireland’s strategy to foster entrepreneurship that can lead to the establishment of start-ups across the whole country.  

"Each year, New Frontiers supports over 500 people with a business idea and many of these go on to establish their start-ups and create jobs across the whole of Ireland.

"The New Frontiers programme has been instrumental in the success of many Irish start-up founders, connecting them with a vibrant community of founders, business experts and advisors to develop a wide range of business skills.”

Top pic: (l-r) Fiona Masterson, John Shorten, Peter Burke TD, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Ciara Concannon (national programme manager for New Frontiers) and Tony Kelly