NDRC’s Post

There's a petition going around suggesting this closure threatens Ireland's startup future. In my opinion, a MUCH larger % of Irish startups over the past two decades couldn't access the NDRC tent than those who could - and yet they grew/exited successfully regardless of this exclusion. 1000s & 1000s of startup founders got on with the task of building a business case, finding product/market fit, generating revenue and/or raising pre-seed funding through other vehicles etc. Many of whom were well able to do so. NDRC was one of many rejections PlayerStat Data has had down the years (client, partnership, accelerator), but luckily, our business premise wasn't solely based on winning accelerator funding/access. There is no better strategy than having the best product/service in your market. The formula for startup founders in Ireland remains unchanged whether NDRC lives or not - idea, fit, rev €. This decision doesn't change the formula.

The loss of the NDRC from the Irish start-up ecosystem will have a profoundly negative impact and I am struggling to understand how such a decision could be made without any articulation of what replaces it. I will say at the outset that I have a vested interest in the program as I am a director of Republic of Work, one of the three regional hubs that support its delivery. But we at MASV.com have met with so many incredible founders that have come through the doors of NDRC and invested time and capital into the founders and their companies, that my desire for NDRC to be retained is so much more than the fact I play a (very small) role in its delivery. Ireland suffers from a huge investment chasm at the earliest of stages. Our start-ups rely heavily on the likes of Enterprise Ireland for their early funding and a small pool of early angel investors. There is a real gap, regardless of what institutional investors may say, from raising investment at PSSF and HPSU through to raising a VC-led investment round. The NDRC helps mentor and coach early stage businesses into being investible businesses, it provides challenge on everything from commercials, to storytelling right through to governance and business structure. But crucially, over the past four years in particular, they have managed to attract more angel investors, they are giving a level of confidence to the market by a start-up being an NDRC backed company. ANYTHING that helps to close this investment chasm needs to be retained and supported. What's more, what has happen under the new NDRC with Dogpatch Labs, Republic of Work, PorterShed and RDI Hub, a truly national programme has been established. One that is embedded in our regional towns and cities and not just in our capital. I genuinely hope that joined up thinking will prevail and a national accelerator programme will continue to be funded. Frank Brennan Patrick Walsh Mary Rodgers Liam Cronin Brian Caulfield Eshna Gogia Andy McManagan Menno Axt

The recent 2024 Hong Kong Policy Address highlights the government's commitment to strengthening the IT industry with the establishment of $10 billion I&T Industry-Oriented Fund and an allocation of $180 million for the Pilot I&T Accelerator Scheme. The initiative aims to systematically build an I&T ecosystem and enhance Hong Kong’s startup ecosystem. We have consistently supported the growth of Hong Kong’s IT sector and welcome more corporations to establish their businesses here. As a comprehensive IT solutions and software provider, we are dedicated to helping organizations achieve digitalization and will continue to contribute to a robust IT industry ecosystem. Explore C&T’s Products: https://lnkd.in/gix_KpbE Details of Part IV of 2024 Policy Address: https://lnkd.in/gQxXmJH4 #2024PolicyAddress #QualityProductiveForces #IT #Software #Innovation #Technology #startup #CTIL

It’s no secret that I’m a nut for numbers 🤓   Did you know that when it comes to #investment in #startups in Europe, climate tech was the best-performing sector in Q1 by deal value, followed by #fintech?   Europe’s #climatetech companies brought in €3.6bn in equity Q1, according to Sifted data. Adding debt and grants into the mix: €16.1bn.   There were 288 climate tech deals in Q1 — the second-highest after B2B SaaS with 358 deals. Climate deals were worth €16.6m on average, the highest of any sector.   That’s pretty promising news from the private sector, though funding activity is still not at its peak.   But what about the government funding side of things?   My Swiss #startup colleague Christoph Jenny of Planted gave some insights into how securing state subsidies remains a huge challenge for European #deeptech companies.   One point that I very much agree with: the European funding landscape is too fragmented, and especially for resource-tight startups, navigating this maze is incredibly difficult.   What do you think: Are we in Europe under-supported vs. the US, Singapore etc.?   I recommend reading this article by Anne Sraders for more insights:

#Singapore-based companies have made a strong showing in an inaugural list of #Asean’s 30 top tech start-ups, accounting for 21 of them. The NextGen Tech 30 list, released on Sept 24 by tech venture-capital firm Granite Asia, includes patent database Patsnap, fintech firms ShopBack and Aspire, and cyber-security firm Ensign Infosecurity. The remaining nine start-ups are based in locations such as #China, #HongKong, #Vietnam, #Indonesia and the #US. Many of those named on the list operate in industries such as digital finance, logistics automation and clean energy. The list, compiled by Granite Asia, is a collaboration involving government and private organisations, including Temasek-backed venture-capital firm 65 Equity Partners, the SGX Group and private equity firms KKR and Northstar Group. Other partners are DBS Bank, the investment arm of the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), the IMDA and the Singapore Business Federation

Europe is doubling down on #fintech innovation! The EIB's ambitious new funding plan aims to keep EU-born startups at home while boosting the region's competitive edge against the US and China. A potential game-changing move for European entrepreneurs looking to scale their ventures. 

Download: 'Building the Australia-Asia Tech Corridor - Australian Investment in Asia’s Startups', a discussion paper from the Tech Council of Australia and AsiaLink Business "Australia’s investment in Fintech in Asia receives less emphasis than its profile in Australia, comprising 9% of funding. Fintech is one of Australia’s strongest tech subsectors, with Australian VCs investing more into fintech than global VC funding allocations." https://lnkd.in/g2e2CUzt #australia #southeastasia #venturecapital #techstartups #vcnews #startupaustralia

The end of the Accelerator Era Ireland’s state-backed tech accelerator, the National Digital Research Centre (NDRC), has announced it will shut down in November 2025. Founded in 2006, the NDRC explained that the government has “concluded that the enterprise ecosystem has evolved significantly” and, as a result, will not extend the accelerator’s contract beyond next year. Until then, operations will continue as usual. This development signals a broader shift in the startup ecosystem. By 2025, I believe the traditional accelerator model will be largely outdated. A similar trend is likely in Italy, where, within the next two years, many of the 20+ accelerators launched under CDP Cassa Depositi e Prestiti's Rete Nazionale Acceleratori program will (quietly) close their doors (disclaimer: this is just my opinion). Why? - Accelerators (except a few ones) have proven to be often economically unsustainable, with limited funding and a reliance on corporate sponsors who may no longer see sufficient value in supporting them. - The startup ecosystems have evolved, favoring more targeted, flexible, and scalable models over the traditional accelerator approach (and with a larger need to focus on later stage funding rather than seed). The question is no longer whether this shift will happen, but how quickly the industry will adapt to a post-accelerator world. #startups #openinnovation #accelerators Mind the Bridge Isidro Laso Conor McGinn Phillip Mckenna Ernesto Ciorra Salvo Mizzi Gianluca Dettori

A new decree is crafted to promote and support innovative start-ups by the Vietnamese government. This decree aims to establish a distinct legal framework that addresses the unique needs of start-ups. It presents a unique opportunity to expand into this dynamic market with the backing of a supportive legal framework. By understanding and leveraging the decree's provisions, you can establish a strong presence in Vietnam and drive your business to new heights. Launch JDI is here to guide you through this process, ensuring you make the most of the opportunities. PM me for a quick insight chat. https://lnkd.in/g6Gqy_VS #JDI #LaunchJDI #MarketExpansion #GTM #DigitalTransformation #StartupEcosystem