The NextWave Programme is a 10+ weeks national accelerator designed exclusively for women founders. Through an energised mix of structured learning, mentorship, and peer connection, participants will validate their ideas, refine compelling narratives, and build momentum toward investor readiness.
At the heart of the programme is a high-trust, founder-first community that provides lasting support, shared ambition, and an environment where women founders can thrive.
The programme is open to high-potential women founders ready to commit to an intensive and challenging experience.
Investment Stage: You’re aiming to secure pre-seed or seed investment for your company which has ideally been incorporated for less than three years.
Market Insight: You have a clear value proposition that demonstrates a real, significant problem.
Product Stage: You’ve developed an MVP and have started validating that in the market.
Export Potential: You have an international focus and are looking to scale the company and create jobs in Ireland.
NextWave is an accelerator programme delivered nationally by the Irish BICs, in collaboration with Enterprise Ireland.
We’re excited to share that Klearcom – a Furthr VC investee company – has announced plans to open a new US office in New Jersey. This expansion marks a major milestone for the Waterford-based provider of global contact centre testing solutions.
As part of this growth, Klearcom will hire 20 new team members across sales and customer service over the next 12 months. The new base will help the company deepen relationships with major clients – including Google, Mastercard, and Visa – while opening the door to even more US-based customers.
Congratulations to the HPSU Founder of the Year Finalists!
Enterprise Ireland has announced the five finalists for this year’s High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) Founder of the Year Award, chosen from 38 outstanding start-ups across Ireland. The overall winner will be revealed at a special ceremony on 16 October in Dublin. We’re especially proud to celebrate the success of several companies Furthr has supported - Pilot Path, Assiduous, and NeuroBell (a Furthr VC investee company), alongside Senus and Marama Labs, who complete this year’s exceptional finalist lineup.
Each of these companies is driving real innovation: from Pilot Path’s all-inclusive training platform for aspiring pilots, to Assiduous’s capital markets fintech solutions, to NeuroBell’s AI-powered portable brain monitor that supports neonatal ICU teams. Senus is transforming natural capital measurement, and Marama Labs is revolutionising biotech analysis with its patented CloudSpec technology.
Propelor BIC are supporting founders nationally with The Big Pitch. Taking place on Tuesday November 4th, at the Theatre Royal, Waterford.
The Big Pitch is Propelor BIC's flagship event, where three high-potential companies take centre stage, each paired with an experienced mentor to compete for a €7,500 cash prize.
Applications close 30th September, don't miss your chance to be part of one of Ireland's leading startup showcases.
Helping enterprises unlock innovation with expert guidance
Running a business means you’re always looking for new ways to grow, but innovation can often feel out of reach. That’s why Furthr has teamed up with TU Dublin Research & Innovation on the ARISE Programme – designed to make it easier for enterprises to tap into expert knowledge and fresh ideas.
Through two half-day workshops and dedicated mentoring, your business will work with experts to develop a tailored Research & Innovation (R&I) plan. This plan will set out practical opportunities for growth and innovation, backed by Furthr’s experience and TU Dublin’s research expertise.
The end result is a clear business case statement you can use internally or externally to secure funding or resources – helping you take your next innovation steps with confidence.
What you can get from this programme:
R&I plan designed around your business goals
Support to develop or improve products, services, or processes
Insights into emerging technologies and market opportunities
Guidance on building collaborations for future innovation funding
Tailored expertise across all sectors
TU Dublin ARISE is funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Join us on Wednesday, 15th October, 8:00–10:30am at the Guinness Enterprise Centre for Funding & Scaling – a must-attend session designed to equip founders with the tools, insights, and strategies to take their business to the next level.
We’re thrilled to announce two of our incredible speakers:
Joanna Jensen – Entrepreneur, Angel Investor in 12 female-founded businesses, and author of Making Business Child's Play. Joanna will share her journey from launching Childs Farm to selling it to PZ Cussons PLC, and her lessons on scaling and supporting female founders.
Sarah-Jane Larkin – Director General of the Irish Venture Capital Association, who will offer expert insights on Ireland’s future-focused capital strategy and how to strengthen our start-up ecosystem.
And that’s just the beginning – more inspiring speakers will be announced soon!
Calling all ambitious early-stage North-East region startups with international ambition. Furthr are bringing Ready, Set, Go Furthr an intensive 1 day pre-accelerator programme for start-up founders at the idea or early stage to Cavan Digital Hub on Wednesday, October 22nd.
This programme, based on lean start-up principles, helps ambitious founders get started on the right path, uncovering the fundamentals of the entrepreneurial journey, pathways to raising investment and scaling.
The programme will be delivered by Dr. Rosalind Beere, Furthr Consultant and Entrepreneur. As part of this one-day workshop you will hear from two local founders, Fintan McGovern, CEO or Firmwave an innovative IoT design company which was acquired by TaoGlas in 2023. Paul Gilcreest, CEO and founder of Trave.io who will speak on his starting and scaling journey.
Join SOLIDWORKS and Solid Solutions on Thursday, 2nd October at 10:00 AM
This 30- minute webinar will introduce the SOLIDWORKS for Startups program and how it can support early-stage hardware businesses. They will touch on the free tools available, collaboration features, and the kind of guidance startups can access through Solid Solutions.
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