Welcome to New Frontiers ATU Donegal – Sligo
Supporting startup founders in the North West
About New Frontiers
New Frontiers offers an exciting and supportive environment in which to test out your idea and then start building the foundations of a successful startup!
Alumni Stories
Thousands of startup founders have already gone through the programme and established successful companies in a wide range of sectors.
Eligibility
Find out if you are eligible to participate on the New Frontiers programme. Remember that places are awarded on a competitive basis – application alone will not guarantee you a place on the programme.
Enterprise Ireland’s New Frontiers is the nationwide programme for ambitious startup founders with an innovative business idea that has the potential to scale and provide employment.
New Frontiers will equip you with the right connections, the right skills, and the right route to capital. We’ll empower you to build a successful and sustainable start-up business.
Ready to develop your idea and turn it into a revenue-generating business? This is the right time!
Our Mission
Enterprise Ireland’s New Frontiers is the nationwide programme for ambitious startup founders with an innovative business idea that has the potential to scale and provide employment.
New Frontiers will equip you with the right connections, the right skills, and the right route to capital. We’ll empower you to build a successful and sustainable start-up business.
Ready to develop your idea and turn it into a revenue-generating business? This is the right time!
276
Programme Applicants Since 2011
6
Counties in the Donegal – Sligo Catchment Area
41
Female Entrepreneur Participants to Date
Geraldine Beirne
New Frontiers Programme Manager
ATU Donegal – Sligo
Read More
071 930 5115
geraldine.beirne@atu.ie
The New Frontiers Programme Manager at Atlantic Technological University (ATU) – Sligo Campus is Geraldine Beirne. Geraldine has spent over 20 years helping startups and growing businesses, giving her an in-depth knowledge of Ireland’s enterprise landscape. With a BSc in Management and a Diploma in International Marketing, Geraldine worked in both multinational and indigenous Irish businesses before joining the Local Enterprise Office Offaly in 2000
Phase 1 – Test
Next programme scheduled for Q1/Q2 2026
Phase 1 helps you to research and test the market potential of your business idea. These sessions will help you evaluate your idea, understand your customer needs, and identify your value proposition.
Phase 1 is for very early-stage ideas.
Phase 2 Develop
Applications will open in spring for September 2026
Phase 2 is a full-time six-month intensive commitment and places are offered following a competitive selection process. You will discover how to develop and validate your business proposition as you work on your capacities as a founder. You can expect workshops, mentoring, lunch-and-learns, and regular milestone reviews. New Frontiers has been described by alumni as a mini MBA. It gives you access to insights from those who have gone before and will help you avoid some of the common pitfalls of startup life.
Register your interest
Thinking of starting a business?
You have the right idea or the right business that you want to get off the ground. So, what’s stopping you?
This is the right time.
The right time to join Enterprise Ireland’s New Frontiers programme and embark on a transformative startup journey that will equip you with the right connections, the right skills, and the right route to capital to build a successful and sustainable startup business.
