Calling all would-be entrepreneurs! The NDRC Founder Weekend returns to the RDI hub in February

Applications are open for the upcoming NDRC Founder Weekend which returns to RDI Hub in Kerry after a hugely successful weekend in 2022 that saw over 60 individuals and startups embark on the 48 hour sprint.  NDRC is Ireland’s national startup accelerator programme for globally ambitious entrepreneurs and this Founder Weekend will run from the 17^th to the 19^th of February.

This is the second time the event will have been run from the Southwest and once again the team at the RDI hub have decided to make it a fully remote event, making it accessible to anyone, anywhere, so no need to worry about travel or accommodation! The new addition to this year’s event will be a focus on low code / no code product build, to help those with no technical experience or knowledge to understand how they can design a simple MVP themselves with free tools available online. Other workshops include Storytelling, Pitching, and the big hit mentor 1:1’s – up to 40 mentors will join the weekend to give you feedback and advice, these are great connections to make to grow your support network in the future.

This event has a mix of people from all different industries and walks of life. You don’t have to already identify as an ‘Entrepreneur’ or a ‘Founder’ to be a fit for this event. You don’t have to know what your big idea is in advance, because the idea may come to you over the weekend – you might meet someone impressive and decide to collaborate on something and see where it goes. It’s all about figuring it out with like-minded people, the NDRC team bring the expertise and guide you through some fun learning steps to get you to think a little differently, but ultimately it’s the participants that make the magic happen.

Some of the most interesting founders in Ireland today started their journey at a Founder Weekend and some will be returning as mentors and speakers to share their insights and tips over the February weekend. Leo Rodriguez from Helgen Tech, James Flynn of ConnectMor, Richelle Flanagan of MyMovesMatter and Hrvoje Smolic of Graphite Note will share their successes and challenges as Founders and how NDRC supports continue to help them.

Start with just an idea, a team, and lots of questions. Finish with a well-developed startup concept, a diverse and supportive network, and a whole new level of entrepreneurial knowledge.

Hrvoje, a Founder Weekend alumnus and CEO of Graphite Note, a no-code machine learning platform, said ‘Founder Weekend was amazing for me in terms of helping me realise my product offering, define my target audience and tailor my messaging and I am delighted to be returning as a speaker at the event next month!’

Other Founder Weekend alumni include Hiiker, an app which provides information on thousands of hiking trails around the world, who last year has secured €500,000 in investment from Fuel Ventures, Enterprise Ireland and several private investors, ProMotion Rewards an app that rewards consumers who share details on their shopping habits with brands, raised €725,000 in a pre-seed investment round and Helgen Technologies (Robotics and Digital Twin technology)  who are part of a €40 million investment by the Irish government in disruptive technologies, with project Xbat+ being selected as one of 11 projects.

The programme will be delivered by Maeve Lyons. Maeve has been running NDRC programmes from the hub for the past year and this will be her second Founder Weekend. When asked why someone should attend, this is what she had to say:

‘Founder Weekend is exceptional in that it provides people from various stages along the startup journey an opportunity to join, learn and share with like-minded individuals. Ultimately, this weekend is about founders supporting founders. We bring them together over the weekend sprint, in order for them to collaborate and grow their idea or startup.

Liam Cronin, RDI hub CEO (who was recently featured in Connected, the Sunday Business Post magazine) added ‘It’s fantastic to be able to deliver this amazing programme remotely, making it accessible to everyone without the need to travel. Last year’s event was incredible, and it’s great to see Richelle Flanagan’s (My Moves Matter) success since Founders Weekend last year and we can’t wait to see her app when it launches.’

Deadline for application for the NDRC Founder Weekend is February 12^th.

Apply through this link

https://www.ndrc.ie/founder-weekend

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