AIT launches enterpreneurship academy

Athlone Institute of Technology is offering up to €30,000 in seed funding for the best companies developed there. The institute is inviting graduates to submit their business ideas, with the best proposals being accepted onto the entrepreneurship programme and InnovAIT, a new enterprise academy at AIT. Up to €25,000 is available for the best high-potential start-up (HPSU) company, and a further €5,000 for the best non-HPSU company. InnovAIT will provide degree holders with the opportunity and support network to develop their business idea into a commercial reality. It is aimed at graduates from any discipline, who have an idea for a new business or who wish to enhance an existing business. Director of the entrepreneurship academy Dr Marc Cashin said: "InnovAIT is a really exciting development at AIT, where we're combining academic expertise with practical business know-how. Each participant in the academy will have two mentors, one drawn from AIT and the other from industry. The mentors and the workshop format of the programme will combine to form the ideal environment where budding entrepreneurs can enhance their professional and technical development." The closing date for receipt of application forms is Friday, October 19. Further information about InnovAIT is available online at www.ait.ie/innovAIT.