Solo founder praises benefits of New Frontiers support system

Founder of W.D. O’Connell Whiskey Merchants describes the New Frontiers programme as ideal for all levels of entrepreneur from experiences to rookie

Daithí O’Connell of W.D. O’Connell Whiskey Merchants was among those who received support for the New Frontiers Programme at the ArcLabs innovation hub in Waterford.

Former New Frontiers participant O’Connell, who originally hails from Carlow but is now based in Kilmacthomas, Co Waterford, offers advice to entrepreneurs considering the New Frontiers Programme: “If you have the bare bones of an idea or one with early market breakthrough, whether you are an experienced entrepreneur or a complete rookie, New Frontiers has something to offer you. At the minimum it is well worth investing some of your time to apply for phase 1 to learn more about what’s required from you and what you can expect in return if successful in phase 2. The people you meet and support you get are fantastic and I couldn’t say enough about the benefits of having that support system in place, especially as a solo founder.”

Funding for next five years

In 2021 WIT and Institute of Technology Carlow jointly secured €3m from Enterprise Ireland to operate the New Frontiers entrepreneur development programme in the south east over five years.

New Frontiers Programme Manager at WIT, Eugene Crehan explains who the programme is for: “The New Frontiers programme is designed to help ambitious individuals bring their business idea from concept to successful start-up. Over the next five years we hope to support another 250 entrepreneurs on Phase 1 of our programme with about 20% making it through to the second phase and access to EI funding every year.”

Apply

For more information and to make an application see www.wit.ie/newfrontiers.