The 11 start-ups selected to participate in University College Dublin’s (UCD) new AI Ecosystem Accelerator programme have been announced.
The focus of this new accelerator programme is to support entrepreneurs who are developing disruptive AI (artificial intelligence) solutions for a global market.
'Disruptive AI Solutions'
“The AI Ecosystem Accelerator programme will provide entrepreneurs across sectors including Healthcare, Cybersecurity, Education, and Sustainability with the opportunity to advance their AI start-ups through a range of targeted technical and commercial supports," said Emma Callinan, director of commercialisation at Enterprise Ireland.
"Enterprise Ireland is delighted to welcome the 11 start-ups into the ecosystem of successful AI entrepreneurs, and we look forward to supporting them on their transformative journeys as they develop disruptive AI solutions with a global impact.”
AI In Ireland
The six month AI Ecosystem Accelerator programme will be delivered by NovaUCD, the hub of innovation and start-up activities at UCD, in partnership with CeADAR, Ireland’s National Centre for Applied AI.
The programme is funded through the European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH) framework, a Europe-wide initiative with funding of €700 million from both the European Commission and the Governments of member states.
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, through Enterprise Ireland, is leading on the EDIH programme for Ireland and CeADAR has been designated as the European Digital Innovation Hub for AI in Ireland.
‘AI-Here For Good’
“Meeting with the entrepreneurs taking part in this exciting programme I am pleased to see that in keeping with ‘AI- Here For Good’, the Government’s national AI strategy, the participating start-ups are focused on using AI to benefit citizens and the way we live and work," said Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, Dara Calleary.
"The dedicated supports and mentoring which will now be provided by NovaUCD and CeADAR during the coming months will help the start-ups to accelerate their growth and development in Ireland, and also on the international stage, and I wish them every success."
Securing Investment
Targeted supports for the 11 participating start-ups over the next six months include a dedicated commercial mentor and workshops on value proposition, route to market, sales strategies, and securing investment.
Participants will have access to co-working space at NovaUCD and access to the NovaUCD community of founders, investors, business partners and student interns. They will also have access to CeADAR’s EDIH for AI services which include AI technologies, and research expertise with technical mentorship.
The participating start-ups are ALPACA, Customs Window, Durotimi AI, Frontier AI, GoMappED, KnowCarbon, La Casa Care, SonnyLabs.ai, Tashka Technology Solutions, VoxMed.AI and wrksense.
Source: www.businessworld.ie
