An expert Trainer for New Frontiers programmes both Phase 1 and 2 across the country. I deliver workshops and integrated modules on Business Planning, Marketing and Market Validation, Sales/Negotiations, plus Financial Projections and Pitching.
New Frontiers is Enterprise Ireland’s national entrepreneur programme for growth oriented, early stage startups. It is delivered by 13 Incubation Centres attached to the Institutes of Technology in Cork, Limerick, Tralee, Galway, Athlone and NUI Maynooth, Sligo, Letterkenny, Tallaght, Blanchardstown, Carlow, Waterford, Dundalk, and DIT (Hothouse Programme). I am very familiar with New Frontiers around the country given my experience as Enterprise Acceleration Centre Manager in LIT when I managed the LEAP programme with Graham Royce.
New Frontiers is part of Enterprise Ireland’s suite of supports designed to assist businesses to evolve as HPSUs – it includes a €15,000 tax free grant referred to as a stipend. Apply directly to your Institute of choice – contact details on EI New Frontiers website.
A New Frontiers Trainer & Mentor
- In 2020 and 2021, Donncha has delivered online workshops for both GMIT, IT Tralee, DKIT and WIT in response to the current situation and travel restrictions using both Zoom and Teams.

Since 2012, I have delivered workshops for both Phase 1 and Phase 2 of New Froniters in a small number of Institutes (7): GMIT – Galway and Castlebar; IT Sligo and LyIT; DKIT and DCU; Institute of Technology Tralee; TU Dublin Blanchardstown; Limerick IT and Waterford Institute of Technology.
In 2018, the entire Phase 1 progamme was delivered in Letterkenny for IT Sligo with another superb trainer, Jenni Timony from Donegal.
My main areas of New Frontiers delivery are:
• Market Validation
• Lean Startup Marketing
• Negotiation
• Lean Startup to include Lean Canvas
• Business Model Generation
• Sales
• Preparing an Investor Ready Business Plan
• One to one Business Plan Reviews
I also deliver specific CSF training to include application and pitch/script review.
Focus on deliverables
► Waterford IT New Frontiers : Market Validation
In 2018, I delivered the market validation module in WIT which comprised a workshop, completion of a deliverable by each participant business, and a follow up with one to one session on site. I have also provided this market validation deliverable for DKIT for several years.
►IT Tralee New Frontiers: Business Plan Review
In each of the 4 years 2018 – 2021, I delivered the business plan preparation module in IT Tralee which comprised a workshop, completion of a deliverable (writing an investor-ready business plan) by each participant team, and a follow up with one to one session on site.
►IT Sligo & LyIT: Business Plan & Financial Projections Module
Over the six years from 2013 to 2018, i delivered the business plan and financial projection development module for IT Sligo and LyIT. This detailed work programme included group and one to one training to assist participants to develop an investor ready business plan and robust financial projections for their business. The Business Planning module involves group training and 1:2:1 follow up on market validation, financial projection preparation, business plan document preparation and review.
A New Frontiers Blogger & Online (pre-recorded) training
► 2013 published on my own blog : What Enterprise Ireland are looking for in a New Frontiers Application

► 2014 published on New Frontiers Blog: How to craft your Value Proposition – a tool and a formula
► 2015 published on New Frontiers Blog: Goals & Milestones for Growth Focused Businesses
► 2018,the New Frontiers blog featured an article titled, ‘A Crowdfunding Conversation wtih Crua Outdoors’ which included a YouTube video (40 minutes).
► 2016 published on my own blog via InspiredStartups.com :Two articles about applying for Competitive Start Fund (CSF)
I am happy to submit tender documents as part of the procurement process for this training. Contact me at donncha(at)startuphughes.com to initiate a discussion
One to One Consultancy – Pay and Book
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