The latest cohort of the Prep4Seed Accelerator Programme is officially underway,with 11 ambitious startups embarking on a 12-week journey to become investor-ready. Delivered by the four Irish Business Innovation Centres (BICs) in collaboration with Enterprise Ireland, Prep4Seed is designed to fast-track high-potential startups, equipping them with the tools, insights, and connections needed to secure investment and scale successfully.
A National Programme with Impact: The bi-annual programme, run by AxisBIC, Furthr, Propelor BIC, and WestBIC, kicked off today in Cork with an intensive Masterclass on Market Planning and Business Validation. Hosted by AxisBIC and Furthr, this session set the stage for a transformative experience, where founders will engage in masterclasses, one-to-one mentoring, and rigorous pitch preparation sessions over the coming months.
The 11 companies selected by Enterprise Ireland represent a diverse mix of sectors,including Climate Tech, Life Sciences, FinTech, Digital Tech, Food, and Sustainability—each poised for high growth and impact.
Enterprise Ireland’s Commitment to Startups: Speaking about the programme, Carol Gibbons, Divisional Manager -Entrepreneurship, Start-Ups and Local Enterprise at Enterprise Ireland, highlighted the significance of Prep4Seed in shaping the future of Irish startups:
“Start-up companies are a driver of innovation and economic growth. At Enterprise Ireland, we are committed to helping founders start and scale their businesses internationally. The Prep4Seed programme, delivered in collaboration with the four BICs, is an effective platform from which to launch and nurture future enterprise leaders. It’s fantastic to see a strong regional mix of companies engaging in this programme, and we look forward to supporting them on their investment journey.”
Investor Readiness Starts Here: Each participating startup will receive hands-on mentoring, expert guidance,and bespoke support tailored to their unique business needs. The programme includes five masterclasses led by the Irish BICs and six one-to-one sessions with experienced BIC consultants, ensuring that key learnings are directly applied to each company’s growth strategy.
A major highlight of the programme is the Investor Pitch Day in May, where founders will have the opportunity to showcase their businesses to potential investors. This final event is the culmination of intensive pitch training and trial pitches, ensuring participants are fully prepared to make a compelling case for investment.
Welcomingthe 2025 Cohort: Opening the first Masterclass in Cork, Larry O’Donoghue, CEO of AxisBIC,welcomed the new cohort, emphasizing the impact of Prep4Seed on Ireland’s startup ecosystem:
“We are thrilled to kick off another Prep4Seed programme and to welcome this talented group of founders to Cork. AxisBIC, along with our fellow BICs and Enterprise Ireland, has been deeply involved in Prep4Seed since its pilot phase. We’ve seen firsthand how transformative this programme is, helping startups secure significant investment and accelerate their growth.”
The 2025 Prep4Seed cohort includes: Blip Payments Limited, Chapter Technology Limited, Liltoda, Maximo Financial Planning, Nibbed Ltd, Shoden Limited,Somatech Limited, Tao Climate, Voltflo, Xtricate Medical Ltd, and Zeitgeist Spirits.
We look forward to following their journeys as they prepare to take their businesses to the next level!
For more information about Prep4Seed and how Propelor supports high-growth startups, get in touch with us today!
hello@propelorbic.ie
