AIB and Frontline Ventures back new €3 million startup programme

AIB and Frontline Ventures today launched the second AIB Discovery Programme to support the next generation of Irish technology entrepreneurs.

The programme will provide 15 high-potential start-up founders with up to €200,000 in funding to validate a large, potential market need. 

AIB’s Head of Equity Investment Unit (Wholesale & Institutional Banking), Ray Fitzpatrick said; "As one of the largest seed capital providers in Ireland, AIB recognises the importance of supporting this vital sector and its future growth potential. This initial stage of development in an entrepreneur’s journey is often the most difficult and AIB, in ‘backing brave’ is keen to support their first step on that journey.”

”We first developed the AIB Discovery Programme in 2013 to invest directly in Ireland’s brightest entrepreneurs at their earliest stage of development. Since then it has supported companies such as Pointy, Love & Robots and Drop who have brought real technology innovation to their customers from Ireland.” 

• Pointy - brought 600 Irish physical retailers online last year by making all of their products searchable online 
• Drop - internet connected kitchen device now sold in Apple stores worldwide 
• Love & Robots - award winning customised jewellery sold online 

Shay Garvey, Partner of Frontline Ventures, said: “Often the hardest stage to find finance is when a company is doing customer discovery and this is the area where the Programme has the biggest impact. We have been very happy with the progress of the companies that have been supported to date and we are excited about broadening the programme for the coming years.” 

The programme is now open and applications can be submitted through [email protected]

To launch the AIB Discovery Programme a series of bookable meetings with the Frontline and AIB teams will be held in AIB branches around the country. The first of these will focus on entrepreneurs in the Fintech sector. Frontline and AIB are strong promoters of diversity and equality and in support of Women in Enterprise they will also be holding an open day exclusively for female entrepreneurs.