About Us

There are three SETU Xcelerate Centres and they are home to numerous initiatives and programmes to accelerate and nurture enterprise development in the South East region.

The SETU Xcelerate Centre is the business incubator of SETU, the South East Technological University. Our mission is to help entrepreneurs harness amazing ideas, creativity and innovation and convert these into thriving, commercial businesses.

We believe that entrepreneurs are the key to creating jobs, prosperity and economic growth. Our incubators in Carlow, Kilkenny and Waterford support a community of high-potential start-up companies and growing businesses. We enable entrepreneurs to collaborate with each other and with our research teams in a unique work environment. There are no limitations to how we can work together.

If you can use some of the best strategists, designers and R&D resources available, then the SETU Xcelerate Centre is the place for your business to evolve and grow. Our goal is to build the best community of entrepreneurs and start-ups in Ireland.

Our Team

Our Pillars

SETU XCELERATE CENTRE Pillars

Enterprise Development Programmes

Pre-accelerator programme – Enterprise Ireland New Frontiers Programme
Student and post-grad – UID8 and Team Academy

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Student Support in Entrepreneurial Skills Development

Enterprise Ireland Student Enterprise Awards
Erasmus+ SMARTER Project
Student INC
Connection to Growth Hub
Intern Opportunities

Entrepreneurial Community Connections

Existing alumni community
Regional ecosystem of collaboration and supports – Enterprise Ireland, Clusters, LEO’s and Industry
Technology Gateways & Technology Transfer Office, CEDRE, RIKON, Insuretec DAC
International Partners such as InnoCom Interregional Exchange

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Space for Growth

Incubation and hot desk space
Content creation studio
Access to state-of-the-art research facilities based on the SETU Campus.
Access to SETU students and alumni for project work and graduate positions

The SETU Xcelerate Centres have an ambition to be the driving force behind the next generation of game-changers, and the spark that ignites transformative ideas.

Our Facilities

SETU Xcelerate Centre, South East Technological University, Kilkenny Road Campus, Carlow.
830 sq. meter of industrial and commercial space with 9 office units, hot-desking space for 14 own desk start-ups, training & meeting rooms, cafe, plus a wide range of business supports.

SETU Xcelerate Centre, South East Technological University, West Campus, Waterford
1300 sq. m of industrial and commercial space

SETU Xcelerate Centre, St. Kieran’s College, College Road, Kilkenny
Supports 9 innovative companies in the region

Our goal is to support the development of entrepreneurs through a comprehensive range of supports as they grow and scale.

Business Supports

Our Clients

SETU Xcelerate clients

Case
Studies

To help you decide if the New Frontiers programme is for you, we’ve put together some long and short-themed case study video interviews with previous participants.

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Student Entrepreneurship

At Xcelerate, we encourage the entrepreneurial development of second and third level students. UID8 is a summer camp facilitated by SETU that develops creativity and innovation through the design process given to transition year (TY) students.

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