Prep4Seed Accelerator Programme kicks off in Cork

​The 12-week intensive investor readiness programme commenced on March 10th in Cork with a Masterclass on Market Planning and Business Validation, organised by Furthr and AxisBIC. Delivered collaboratively by the four Irish Business Innovation Centres (BICs)—  Furthr, AxisBIC, Propelor BIC, and WestBIC—in partnership with Enterprise Ireland, the programme aims to expedite eleven high-growth start-ups from diverse sectors through the investor readiness process.

The Furthr Masterclass Series 

The Furthr Masterclass Series brings founders through a deep-dive exploration of the key elements of all start-up businesses, providing an ideal foundation for entry to our Go Furthr Mentorship programme. Our next Masterclass, Masterclass 1 - Reaching Product-Market Fit, is taking place on April 9th, and we are accepting enquiries so get in touch today.

Ready, Set, Go Furthr is a one-day interactive workshop designed for early-stage founders. The workshop is scheduled to take place on May 22nd, and applications are currently open. 

Our Pre-Seed Start Fund workshop offers potential applicants a deeper understanding of the Enterprise Ireland Pre-Seed Start Fund application. Registrations are now open for our April 16th workshop.

Furthr VC portfolio company SymPhysis Medical is preparing to launch its device, Releaze™, in the US within the next 18 months. Releaze™ offers a less invasive, home-manageable solution for malignant pleural effusion—a condition affecting approximately half of late-stage cancer patients—by alleviating symptoms such as shortness of breath and chest discomfort. The company aims to secure FDA clearance by 2026 and has recently raised €2.8 million, with plans to close an additional €3.7 million by April.

Furthr Innovate programme alumni Soothing Solutions (Tonstix) have partnered with Discover Airlines to bring their Tonstix Travel Pops on board flights starting May 2025. These honey-based jelly pops, designed as a safe and effective remedy for children's sore throats and dry coughs, will help keep young passengers comfortable, ensuring a more relaxing journey for families.

Furthr Innovate Programme alumni Squid Loyalty has successfully concluded its crowdfunding campaign, raising €1.7 million from over 2,600 investors. This surpasses their initial target range of €1.15 million to €1.35 million. The funds will support Squid's expansion into new markets and accelerate the rollout of their universal loyalty points system, Wave, which aims to streamline rewards across their growing network of partner businesses. 

Furthr VC portfolio company ​UrbanFox, a Dublin-based anti-fraud technology company, has secured €7.7 million in funding to support its expansion into the US market. The company's platform offers fraud prevention and risk management solutions designed to protect payment processors and online merchants from complex synthetic fraud attacks.

The 2025 Venture Academy organised by AxisBIC, is a pitching event for 8 high-growth startup companies seeking investment. It takes place on April 10th at The River Lee Hotel in Cork City. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear pitches from 8 startups and scaleups, explore pre-screened investment opportunities, network with investors and seasoned entrepreneurs, and learn about the latest trends and sectors in investing. 

The ​Smart D8 2025 Pilot Call is now open, inviting innovators to propose projects that demonstrate health and wellbeing impacts in real-world settings. An information video has been released, detailing Smart D8's mission, focus areas—including Connected Patient in the Community, Positive and Healthy Ageing, and Community—and the application process. Submissions are due by Wednesday, April 2nd, with selected pilots eligible for up to €10,000 in funding.

The Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF) is a €500 million initiative established under Project Ireland 2040, managed by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and administered by Enterprise Ireland. It aims to foster collaboration between SMEs, multinational corporations, and research-performing organizations engaged in industrial research and experimental development. Applications for Call 7 are open until April 30th.

The Food Academy is a training programme designed to support and nurture start-up food businesses in Ireland. A collaborative initiative between the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs), Bord Bia, and SuperValu, it provides participants with comprehensive knowledge in areas such as market research, branding, food safety, and finance. The programme offers workshops, mentoring, and the opportunity to pitch products to SuperValu. Applications are open until April 4th.