NovaUCD and CeADAR are inviting applications from Ireland-based artificial intelligence startups to UCD’s 2026 AI Ecosystem Accelerator program.
The accelerator is organized by NovaUCD and CeADAR as part of CeADAR’s European Digital Innovation Hub for AI program, which helps Irish start-ups and SMEs innovate with AI.
Now in its third year, the six-month program aims to help Ireland’s most promising and disruptive AI-first start-ups accelerate commercial traction into global markets and become investment-ready, scalable businesses.
The next edition will focus specifically on startups that are actively raising capital and are aiming to complete a funding round in 2026.
Michelle Doyle, senior manager of strategic innovation partnerships at NovaUCD, said: “We are pleased to open applications for the third cohort of the AI ecosystem accelerator, delivered by NovaUCD in partnership with CeADAR and supported through the European Digital Innovation Hub framework.”
“This year’s program is designed as a transformation engine, supporting ambitious AI-first startups that have already undergone market validation and live pilots and are now focused on accelerating traction and completing a funding round in 2026.
“We encourage founders who are building globally scalable AI products in a variety of sectors, including healthcare, cybersecurity, education, sustainability, finance, content creation, supply chain, and customer service, to apply and become part of our growing ecosystem of high-potential entrepreneurs.”
This accelerator provides a structured path for founders looking to move beyond their initial idea and turn momentum into scalable growth and investor readiness.
CeADAR’s AI experts provide commercial, financing, and technical support to power AI implementation and scale.
This includes support for data strategy, model evaluation, AI deployment readiness, and whether the underlying AI is robust, reliable, and fit for real-world use.
A total of 20 startups have completed the program in the past two years, including NestiFi, TrojanTrack, UniDoodle, and UnitMode.
Stephen O’Dwyer, founder of TrojanTrack, winner of the 2025 One to Watch Award for the program, said: “We highly recommend the AI Ecosystem Accelerator Program for entrepreneurs who want to advance their AI-first startups through the program’s excellent and dedicated technical and commercial support.”
“Participating in the program last year was great and I learned a lot from the NovaUCD and CeADAR teams, program facilitators, mentors, and fellow startup participants.
“Now that we have begun closing our €1.3 million seed round, we are able to exit the program with sharper thinking, real connections, and great momentum for TrojanTrack.”
Participants will also be assigned an experienced commercial mentor and participate in non-practical workshops focused on positioning, value proposition refinement, scaling and investor readiness.
The 2026 program, which begins in April, culminates with an investor showcase event that connects founders with investors and strategic partners to help them take the next stage of growth.
Dr. Ricardo Simon Carbajo, Director of Innovation and Development at CeADAR, said: “The AI Ecosystem Accelerator is a key service within the European Digital Innovation Hub in CeADAR’s AI program.
“By partnering with NovaUCD, we combine commercial support and technical guidance to help founders accelerate from traction to investment readiness.
“We encourage AI entrepreneurs to tap into and benefit from the expertise, networks and financial support available through CeADAR’s EDIH program.”
Applications are published from ucd.ie/innovation/start-ups/aiecosystemaccelerator.
Pictured: (from left) Niall Dennehy, NestiFi; Sean Boyle, Unit Mode. UniDoodle’s Denise O’Grady and TrojanTrack’s Stephen O’Dwyer. (Photo: Paul Sharp/Sharppix)
