Galway’s PorterShed launches new AI accelerator targeting pure AI start-ups and innovation teams nationwide.
Galway’s PorterShed has launched its new AI accelerator, AI, Venture Forge, a 12-week programme which it says aims to bring Ireland’s AI-first startups and corporate innovation teams towards real commercial traction and investor readiness.
“The noise around AI is deafening, however, very few companies are truly innovating at a deep technical level,” said Mary Rodgers, CEO of PorterShed. “AI Venture Forge is about cutting through the noise and backing teams with the technical ability and vision to redefine industries.”
Adapted from the Disciplined Entrepreneurship model, AI Venture Forge is targeting startups and innovation teams where AI is “not simply an add-on, but the beating heart of the product”, according to PorterShed, which says it is keen to eschew the kinds of superficial AI applications that abound in today’s market. “This programme sets a higher bar, backing companies that are building transformative technologies rather than riding the latest hype wave.”
The internationally-focused programme will be delivered both onsite in Galway City and virtually by the PorterShed Programmes team, and is led by Programme Manager Dushyant Singh. It will include travel to Paris or London for participating teams, in order to deepen market understanding, expand networks and ensure a global focus. During a three-month post-programme off-ramp phase, companies will travel to San Francisco to focus on fundraising, sales pipeline building, and US expansion. The launch of the AI Venture Forge follows PorterShed’s year-long strategic investment into AI innovation capacity-building in the West of Ireland.
“The Programme is designed to work with technical teams building infrastructure and applications that will define industries in five years’ time, not just bolt-on features,” said Programme Manager Dushyant Singh. “This programme will be supported by AI experts and founders, who will be on site to give mentorship, feedback and provide supports”.
Participants are being sought nationwide, with RDI Hub in Kerry, Republic of Work in Cork and Dogpatch Labs in Dublin supporting the search for talent. Applications to the AI Venture Forge are now open.
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