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AI Ecosystem Accelerator Programme
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AI Ecosystem Accelerator Programme

Applications are now open for the 2026 AI Ecosystem Accelerator

This 6-month accelerator, starting in April, is designed to support Ireland’s most promising and disruptive AI-first start-ups to accelerate commercial traction for global markets and become investment-ready scalable businesses, with a particular focus on start-ups actively raising and aiming to close a funding round in 2026.

Find out more and apply
FAST-IP Open for Applications 2026
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FAST-IP

Applications are now open for the third Food and Agriculture Sustainable Technology Innovation Programme (FAST-IP)

FAST-IP is a needs led innovation programme delivered by UCD in partnership with Teagasc.  We are looking for mid-career professionals (from a wide variety of educational and professional backgrounds) who are interested in taking their careers in a entrepreneurial direction based on sustainable, innovative solutions to real commercial needs in the ag and food value chains.

The next year long programme starts in September 2026.

For further information and to apply
Jason Lynch, Equal1 2026
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Equal1

UCD quantum computing spin-out closes $60 million funding round to accelerate development of scalable, silicon-based quantum computers and deployment of its datacentre-ready Bell-1 quantum server.

The funding, the largest ever single investment round in a UCD spin-out to date, was led by the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, with participation from Atlantic Bridge, the European Innovation Council Fund, Matterwave Ventures, Enterprise Ireland, Elkstone and TNO Ventures.

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Locate at NovaUCD
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Locate at NovaUCD

Offices, Labs and Co-Working Space Available for High-Tech Start-Ups with Global Ambition

Join our community of successful founders at one of Europe's leading start-up hubs, and benefit from our unrivalled network of entrepreneurs, investors, mentors and world-class researchers.

Learn more

How We Support

Entrepreneurs
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Researchers
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Students
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Investors
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Industry & Business
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Latest News

Pictured (l-r) at NovaUCD are; Stephen O’Dwyer, TrojanTrack; Seán Boyle, UnitMode; Denise O'Grady, UniDoodle and Niall Dennehy, NestiFi. 28Jan
NovaUCD and CeADAR Open Applications for 2026 AI Ecosystem Accelerator Programme
Patrick Keady SEncIL 27Jan
SEncIL - Solving Pharma’s Stickiest Manufacturing Problem
Pictured are Mitchell O’Gorman, Chief Executive Officer, xWave Technologies and Stuart Van Rooyen, Managing Director, Lanas. 26Jan
iMedDoc and xWave Technologies Partner to Make Radiology Referrals Simpler and Faster for Clinicians
Speakers at the CeADAR and Propelor BIC Masterclass event for start-ups in Waterford 23Jan
CeADAR and Propelor BIC Deliver High-Impact AI Masterclass for Start-up Founders in Waterford
Start-ups at NovaUCD's 2026 Investor Day 16Jan
Start-ups Seeking to Raise €70 Million in Funding Pitch at NovaUCD’s 2026 Investor Day
Jason Lynch, Equal1 2026 15Jan
Equal1 Announces $60 million in Funding to Accelerate Quantum Computing using Existing Semiconductor Manufacturing
Lee Wilson, General Manager, DLF Ireland and Paul Kennedy, 13Jan
DLF Partners with Proveye to Accelerate Grassland and Seed Innovation through Satellite-powered Insights
CeADAR Management EDIH Funding 09Jan
CeADAR to Receive €5.7 million in EDIH Phase 2 Funding

Des O'Leary OncoAssure 07Jan
OncoAssure Announces Collaboration with Leading US Medical Centre for Prostate Cancer Test Validation Study
All News

Find Out More About

Facilities

Knowledge Transfer

Linking with Industry

Accelerator Programmes

AgTechUCD

FAST-IP

Consultancy

Mentoring and Investing

Facts and Figures

A Leading Start-Up Hub in Europe
NovaUCD named one of Europe's leading start-up hubs by the FT and Statista
2003
The year NovaUCD officially opened as UCD's hub of innovation and start-up activities
> 600
Number of early-stage ventures and companies supported through NovaUCD
> €1.4 billion
Equity funding raised by the NovaUCD entrepreneurial community
>1200
Number of inventions disclosed by members of the UCD research community
> 380
Number of priority patent applications filed by NovaUCD
> 340
Number of licensing deals concluded with a range of indigenous and international businesses
> 310
Number of consultancy projects undertaken through ConsultUCD, valued at ca. €4 million, since 2017
>75
Number of new UCD spin-out companies incorporated

Innovation at University College Dublin

NovaUCD, as part of UCD Research and Innovation, is the hub of start-up and innovation-related activities at the University.

NovaUCD is supported under the KT Boost Programme co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union, through the ERDF Southern, Eastern & Midland Regional Programme 2021-2027.

NovaUCD ERDF Logos

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NovaUCD

Belfield Innovation Park, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
T: +353 1 716 3700 | E: innovation@ucd.ie