11 founders strive to take their business ideas to the next level with the Enterprise Ireland New Frontiers Programme at DkIT and DCU

The RDC (Regional Development Centre) in Dundalk and DCU Innovate Hub in Dublin jointly deliver the New Frontiers programme in the Border mid-east region, giving participants access to the expertise, facilities and resources of both locations. Since 2012, 470 participants have completed Phase 1 of the programme and 177 participants have completed Phase 2 in the region. Notable graduates from the programme in DkIT and DCU include Barry Armstrong from sustainability platform Antreo; Ciara McEnteggart from Perspectives Ireland psychotherapy training; Frank Clarke of veterinary hypoallergenic pet-food company Omuu; Niall McNamee from Twelves Cleats sportswear brand and Emma Duffy of My Forever Tooth Fairy, which provides gift sets for children highlighting the magic of the tooth fairy tradition.

This year’s business ideas cover a wide range of needs. From human to animal, educational to recreational and emotional wellness to financial wellbeing, the current cohort are bringing fresh and innovative ideas to the market.

For Dearbhla McGailey Lynch, a qualified accountant from Dromiskin, Co.Louth, the guidance and structure of the programme have really helped her to progress her idea, an app called AlignCare,  which helps families create human-centered care plans, gives carers instant insight into the person they’re supporting and tracks key health details for easy sharing with healthcare professionals.

“The app was born out of one of the most emotional and challenging times in my life, caring for my mum after her dementia diagnosis,” according to Dearbhla. She aspires to make the lives of carers and family members easier with her innovation- “We want carers to feel empowered and equipped to do their jobs with confidence, compassion and the right information at their fingertips.”

New Frontiers has given Dearbhla the support network she needs to develop her app, which is currently being trialled with local families. She credits her experiences with both the Boyne Innovation Programme and New Frontiers as invaluable in her success to-date; 

“The mentors and managers truly believe in you. They’re not there to grade or assess you, they’re there to make sure you have the tools, connections and backing to bring your idea to life. That kind of support makes all the difference.”

A fellow start-up founder, Hugh Staunton, from Fordstown in County Meath echoes Dearbhla’s sentiments on the benefits of the New Frontiers Programme; 

"It has been a great experience — the mentors and fellow participants have been incredibly helpful, especially at this stage when we are in the process of launching. It’s also been brilliant to learn from the other founders on the programme and watch everyone progress,” said Hugh.

A 27-year-old third-generation pharmacist and sports enthusiast, Hugh created AURA Sports Cream, a powerful heat rub made with natural active ingredients like capsicum extract. The New Frontiers Programme at DkIT, recommended by his Local Enterprise Office, has been instrumental in his journey.

After completing Phase 1 earlier this year, Hugh is now in Phase 2, enjoying its hands-on format with a mix of online and in-person sessions in Dundalk and Dublin.

The programme has given him the push to grow further. He hopes to see AURA stocked in pharmacies nationwide and sold online across Ireland and Europe. The team is already working on their next muscle recovery product and is aiming to have this on the market in 2026.

Another participant moving rapidly from phase 1 to 2 of the New Frontiers Programme is Ankur Bassi, an engineer from Monaghan with over 14 years of experience. Ankur founded TopDog Store, inspired by his beloved ex-racing greyhound, Xena. What began as a simple chase system evolved into a modern, user-friendly alternative to bulky, outdated dog training equipment.

Ankur was introduced to the New Frontiers Programme through Aidan Browne, Head of Innovation at DKIT RDC, during a grant meeting with the Monaghan Local Enterprise Office. After presenting his product and business plan, he joined Phase 1 and is now progressing through Phase 2.

He has found the sessions on financial planning, sales strategy and IP protection particularly impactful. 

“The programme not only expanded my entrepreneurial skillset but also opened doors to a valuable network of advisors, industry experts and fellow founders,” said Ankur. “The guidance and encouragement from the team have been instrumental in our journey—from pitching to partners to preparing for scale-up and investment.”

TopDog Store has grown from a utility room setup into a thriving Irish brand, now shipping to over 30 countries including the US, UK, Europe, the Middle East and New Zealand. Looking ahead to 2026, the company plans to expand its product range for all dog types and build strong retail partnerships across Europe—driven by a commitment to innovation, quality, and canine wellbeing.

The New Frontiers programme at DkIT and DCU, has played a transformative role for three Dublin-based entrepreneurs, each tackling unique challenges through innovative, impactful ventures.

Lisa Gilmartin, co-founder of Snugz, is building a children’s wellbeing brand focused on emotional development through story-led products that promote play, routine, and connection. Lisa credits the structure, mentoring, and supportive peer community of New Frontiers with helping her and her co-founder Fiona Synnott, move from idea to scalable business. 

“The programme has given us the tools to understand and shape our business model more clearly,” she said. 

Snugz is set to launch its first set soon, with more characters and stories already in development.

Hugh Duggan, founder of MojoHealth, applied for New Frontiers after it was recommended to him by a friend. He was delighted to find that the programme exceeded his expectations:

 “everything I was told about it is true and then some! It’s been a great experience and has stretched me and given me frameworks to address some big issues that we have faced.”  

His company addresses the shortage of therapeutic care by creating a flexible platform for therapists to run part-time independent practices. Inspired by both his HR background and personal experiences as a parent, Hugh has built a solution that gives professionals more control while expanding patient access to care.

The programme has also helped Fiona Finucane overcome some significant obstacles. After being made redundant from a long career in financial services, she joined New Frontiers Phase 2 to launch Finperiti, a secure AI-powered platform for automating client onboarding and data management for professional service firms. Drawing on her deep industry knowledge, but starting with limited resources, she found the programme invaluable for building momentum. “I have learnt so much and know there is so much more I can learn too,” Fiona said. She is now preparing for the next phase of growth, preparing for Seedcorn Stage 2 competition and aiming to become a High Potential Start-Up (HPSU).

New Frontiers empowers diverse entrepreneurs to turn challenges into opportunity—equipping them with the tools, networks, and confidence to bring meaningful businesses to life.

Thinking of starting a business? Then New Frontiers could be for you! Find out more: Dundalk Institute of Technology | New Frontiers

About New Frontiers

Enterprise Ireland’s New Frontiers programme is delivered at 18 locations around the Republic of Ireland. Develop the skills to move from business idea towards an income-generating and investor-ready start-up. You will receive mentoring, training, incubation space, access to R&D facilities, and financial support (once your idea has been validated).

Learn more: Enterprise Ireland's New Frontiers Programme | Startup Founders