Cork’s POV on Pre-Accelerator: Startups, Scaling, Success
Written by contributing writer Andy Mc Managan, NDRC Regional Lead and Programme Associate at Republic of Work, Cork
Sold-out Showcase audience full of tech ecosystem builders to get first-look NDRC Pre-Accelerator cohort pitches
So, in layman’s terms, what exactly is the NDRC Pre-Accelerator? It helps startups validate their ideas. In just six weeks. And from practically anywhere in Ireland, well anywhere with an internet connection. So unless you’re operating off the grid (which we all need from time to time), this programme can help you as a founder reach your next startup milestone. How do we do that? Well, let’s get into it.
You commit to less than 2 months with us, and we guide the lucky 20-something selected startups through a structured syllabus of content, match you with mentors tailored to your needs and industry, and invite some of Ireland’s top techies to share their war stories and “been there, done that, bought the t-shirt” lessons - so you don’t have to. In the weekly sessions, we cover everything from understanding your customer, developing a solid product roadmap, refining your pitch, and crafting a compelling narrative for their business.
For this autumn’s Pre-Accelerator, the team here in Republic of Work, one of the NDRC’s regional partner hubs, held the Pre-Accelerator mantle led by yours truly, NDRC Regional Lead and Programme Associate at RoW. Together with the team, we delivered the virtual programme and supported 21 early-stage startups on their scaling journey; a cohort that represented 12 different industries and hailed from nine counties across Ireland. This cohort of founders is solving problems that range from healthcare to hospitality tech, from an app that helps monitor people with dementia to a fully digital AI hotel concierge.
Navigating the startup landscape can be a treacherous journey. Taking the wrong steps early on can make or break a business. The NDRC Pre-Accelerator ensures startups not only develop quickly but, more importantly, develop in the right direction.
Is my startup ready for NDRC Pre-Accelerator?
One of the most common questions we get in our inboxes, or while networking at tech events is, "What stage should I be at to apply?". The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Startups differ in complexity based on their industry, product, and target audience. That said, there are a few key things we look for:
NDRC Pre-Accelerator founder Alexandra Etienne pitches at Autumn Showcase
Commitment & Customer Engagement: We want to see that you've made an effort to understand your target customers. This could be through surveys, one-on-one interviews, or focus groups. How much feedback have you gathered, and how has it shaped your product?
Team Background: Whether you're a solo entrepreneur or have a team, we’ll assess how your background aligns with the problem you’re solving. Do you or your co-founders bring unique insights or skills that make you the right people to address this challenge?
Product Viability (MVP): While many startups entering the Pre-Accelerator have a minimum viable product (MVP) in place, this can vary depending on the complexity of what you're building. Having an MVP helps us evaluate the feasibility of your solution, but we understand that not every startup will be at the same stage.
The Pre-Accelerator is designed to help you refine and strengthen your business model, regardless of where you start from. It’s about building a foundation for growth, ensuring you’re on the right path to success.
The Showcase: A Culmination of Hard Work
After six weeks of workshops, mentoring sessions, and intense focus, the programme ends with a highly anticipated event: the Pre-Accelerator Showcase. This is where startups take the stage to pitch their ideas live, in front of an audience filled with investors, potential customers and partners, and startup enthusiasts eager to connect with the latest ‘ones-to-watch’, showcasing everything they’ve worked on.
This October, Republic of Work opened its doors to over 60 tech ecosystem builders, all gathered to get first dibs on front-row seats to see these startups bring their innovative solutions to life through live pitches. It was an incredible experience to see the confidence and clarity with which each startup presented their work, sharing their vision and progress with the audience.
The showcase not only allows founders to demonstrate their hard-earned progress but also provides an opportunity to network with investors, ecosystem partners, and supporters from across the startup community. It’s a celebration of the startup journey and a launchpad for their next growth phase.
A 500-Strong Community of Founders to connect with
Ultimately, the NDRC Pre-Accelerator is a programme that opens doors to connect you with like-minded founders, share the pains and ecstasy of startup life, and learn from each other. To scale together. The ever-growing NDRC startup network currently connects almost 500 startup companies in Ireland, with many founders returning to Founder Weekends, Pre-Accelerators, and even Accelerator cohorts with a ‘give-back’ and ‘pay-it-forward’ mindset. This peer-to-peer connection is invaluable; for both early-stage founders on their way up the startup ladder, and also for those serial entrepreneurs looking to get in at ground level with some of you.
It’s a way to get more deeply connected with startup supports based in Ireland and will guide you in developing key aspects of your startup that you may have previously been unfamiliar with.
Curious if the Pre-Accelerator is right for you? Book an Office Hour session with one of our team leads, who can guide you through the application process and answer any programme questions: Book an NDRC Office Hour.