2024 now complete…

Pathfinder Program

Go-To-Market Lab for Innovation-driven Entrepreneurs

A North West City Region Initiative

a collaboration between
delivered by
who is it for?

Designed for Innovation-driven entrepreneurs (IDEs). Applications are welcome from North West City Region (Donegal, Derry & Strabane) enterprises who:

  • Can demonstrate an appetite to expand internationally

  • Are diversifying with new offerings that have the potential to scale internationally.

where is it?

Entrepreneurs participated in pre and post-program workshops in Derry-Londonderry & Letterkenny.

While in the US, founders were residents for a week in Boston’s Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC), where they stress-tested their value propositions with US market experts, and received tough love, advice and feedback.

how much is it?

Program participation is fully funded, and qualifying companies can claim up to 50% off flights and accommodation subject to meeting the conditions set out by the Donegal Local Enterprise Office.

2024 Participating Entrepreneurs

Chris Beam

Paul Nelis

  • With up to 70% of IT projects delivered late and over budget, ChallengeCurve’s software testing & quality assurance frameworks enable fintech & travel companies to launch new products and software on time, within budget and compliant with the latest regulations, avoiding costly fines.

    Based in Derry-Londonderry

Fiona Burns

Paula Kennedy Garcia

  • Forward Emphasis International travelled to Boston focused on showcasing how their latest innovation, eleetlx, can help with the challenging processes around onboarding new employees in regulated industries

    Based in Malin Head, County Donegal

Shaun Gilbride

  • DigiFood NPD enables food manufacturers and retailers to get to market faster with new products by streamlining the entire process

    Based in Bundoran, County Donegal

Katherine Rowlandson

  • Kippie addresses talent shortages by enabling gaming companies to access new talent from underserved minorities.

    Based in Derry-Londonderry

Paul Boyle

  • Teambase offers an end-to-end request for proposal and carrier comparison platform for insurance brokers.

    Based in gteic Gaoth Dobhair, County Donegal

program structure

  • Pre-Trip workshops were co-ordinated by Graham Merriman for ALPHA Innovation and covered revising the founders' value proposition and developing pitch decks prior to their trip to the US.

  • While in the US, founders pitched their propositions and pitch decks to groups of Cambridge Innovation Center advisors who gave advice on their propositions and how they could be tweaked to benefit the US market.

  • While in the US, founders had free time to arrange their own meetings with businesses, mentors and advisors to explore US market opportunities.

  • Founders met with Boston-based founders and CEOs who gave advice on how to succeed in the US market.

  • Cambridge Innovation Centre’s Venture Café is a hotbed of entrepreneurs, founders and the startup ecosytem and provided a fantastic opportunity for our businesses to meet local founders during their time in Boston.

  • Businesses organised their own meetings with industry and sector experts based on the US East Coast. The companies also had group meetings with industry stakeholders including the Associated Industries of Massachusetts

  • Intros were provided to accelerate North West City Region’s founders propositions by the Cambridge Innovation Centre while the founders were in residence.

  • David Roache provided businesses with advice and feedback on succeeding in the US market.

  • Suman Lal brought businesses through 2 workshops that explored how they could create a roadmap for bringing their businesses to the US market.

  • Upon returning to Ireland, founders will work with ALPHA again to review the key takeaways of the trip and how to make the most out of the introductions received in Boston.

Previous Program Highlights

Christina McAlinden with Kennedy & ALPHA’s Head of Innovation, Kevin Sexton

Paul Boyle pitching Teambase to Cambridge Innovation Centre advisors

2024 Founders meeting Stephanie Swanson, Executive VP of Associated Industries of Massachusetts

ChallengeCurve Founders Paul Nelis & Chris Beam in Boston at Pathfinders 2024