It was announced this week that NDRC, the investor in early stage digital and technology startup companies, is again partnering with Enterprise Ireland, and the Galway City Innovation District (GCID) to run the second successive intensive regional accelerator programme for digital companies in Galway and the Western region.

The joint initiative between the NDRC, GCID and Enterprise Ireland is a key part of Enterprise Ireland’s programme to grow the number and quality of startups nationally. Entry will be through a competitive process designed to find and support those digital companies with the best potential for growth and expansion.

Each successful applicant will receive investment amounting to €50,000 – of which €30,000 is a cash investment into their company and €20,000 is in programme service costs.

Following the success of the first NDRC at PorterShed programme, which ran during 2017 and saw Appraisee emerge as the winning startup, securing further follow-on investment, there will be up to 10 places available for successful entrepreneurs in the Galway-based accelerator programme.

The new call was launched this week at the PorterShed and was supported by Minister of State with responsibility for Digital Development, Sean Kyne TD.

Welcoming the initiative, Minister Kyne said, "I’m delighted to see NDRC at PorterShed announce the call for young startups for its second programme.  Encouraging digital entrepreneurship is a key element of Government’s digital policy. Our long term future as a successful and modern economy will depend on our capacity to scale up the Irish indigenous sector."

He added, "Of course, every sector is digital now. I’m particularly pleased to see Enterprise Ireland, the Galway City Innovation District and NDRC sponsor this activity in Galway.  Startups can develop anywhere and Government will seek to support them both locally and nationally."

Source: www.businessworld.ie