Katapult Programme - For Start-Ups with Global Ambition

Katapult Programme - For Start-Ups with Global Ambition 

We are now accepting expressions of interest for the next Katapult Programme which is due to commence on 7th October  2024.

Limited places are available on this programme. All completed applications will be reviewed and applicants contacted to assess suitability closer to the start of the programme. 

Click on the apply here button below.

Apply Here

Katapult is an Accelerator Programme for early stage companies/founders that will provide critical advice and the latest thoughts from leading providers to support your early stage business.

We are looking for entrepreneurs that have a product or service that has export potential and are at the early stage of their journey.

The sessions are held in the evening so this is perfect for people who are busy during the day. The journey starts with 3 sessions on validating the entrepreneur and the idea and moves on to finance, business models, marketing, contractual issues and more.

All sessions are provided by a variety of lecturers to keep it diverse and interesting.

The programme also includes individual one-to-one mentoring and peer group meetings

Katapult

This course is suitable for companies or promoters who;

  • Have a product or service that is capable of being exported (company does not have to be formed of trading)
  • Are interested in going through an intensive process to validate themselves and their business
  • Want to get their business started on the right footing
  • Are interested in attracting investment
  • Are interested in going through a project focused process

'The real value add for participants will be validating themselves and their business and to be supported in creating a peer reviewed business proposition' Lisa Brown, Acting Head of Enterprise LEO DLR

  • Following an application for the programme, we will contact you to gain further knowledge of your business model. 


COURSE OUTLINE

  • The Katapult Programme will be held over 10 evenings (5pm - 8pm). 
  • Peer to Peer sessions: every Thursday @ lunchtime - 40 minute groups.
  • Mentoring: The Programme includes 6 individual one hour mentoring sessions, timing arranged directly with your mentor.
  • Self Paced: Work to complete online in your own time, designed to embed learning
DateExpertSession
7th October 2024 
  • Denise O Grady

Session 1:

  • Introduction, Person, Product Framing (3hrs) 
14th October 2024 
  • Conor McNally

Session 2

  • Customer Discovery and Business Validation (3 hrs) 
21st October 2024 
  • Conor McNally

Session 3 

  • Value Proposition and Business Validation (3hrs) 
29th October 2024

Session 4

  • Market Sizing & Business Models (2hrs), Successful Start Ups (1 hour)
4th November 2024

Session 5

  • Funding Options & Finances (3 hrs)
11th November 2024

Session 6

  • Legals (1.5hrs)
  • First Pitch Deck (1.5hrs) 
18th November 2024
  • Greg Fry

Session 7

  • How to market the product / service (3hrs) 
25th November 2024
  • Denise O Grady

Session 8

  • Operating a Start Up and Building your Product (3 hrs)
2nd December 2024
  • Denise O Grady

Session 9

  • Pitch Practice & Investor Memo Review (3hrs) 
5th December 2024
  • Denise O Grady

Session 10

  • Final Pitch (3hrs)

An initiative of LEO DLR and supported by the following experts in their fields;

  • Denise O'Grady - Programme Manager Denise O Grady

Denise is a mentor working with several startups and commercialisation projects nationwide. She is a serial entrepreneur in Ed-tech & Fin-tech and has built and scaled three companies to date.

In her most recent venture Way2Pay, she raised €1 million in investment and brought the company on a journey from digital start up, through an intensive growth process, scaling both in Ireland and the UK

  • Conor McNally - Customer Validation Conor McNally

Conor is startup business development manager at Adapt Centre, TCD. Previously he was the founder of a startup "ShotClip" that secured VC funding and scaled to 300k users. Conor has worked in the tech industry for 20 years in both business development and product management and is a seasoned entrepreneur. He currently heads the Spinout/Startup strategy of the Adapt Centre with approx. 20 startups currently in development. He also runs the pre-accelerator programme in Adapt.

  • John O Grady - Finance John O Grady

John is the financial controller at Bord Bia and is a well known presenter and lecturer in all things finance. He has been a partner with Xero in Ireland for 20 years and has worked with many Irish startups building and monitoring financial plans.

John has the unique combination of an accounting backgrouond with 20 years experience in deep tech companies, including Wall Data, NetManage & WBT. 

  • Greg Fry - Digital Marketing Greg Fry

Greg is an international trainer and one of Ireland's top Social Media experts. He believes that in order to make social media work for your business you must have a clear business goal, a clearly defined strategy, great content and make sure that everything you do is measurable. Greg has worked with top companies including: IDA, Abbott Labs, Bord Bia, Sage, Enterprise Ireland, Ulster Bank, Microsoft, Vodafone, Virgin Media, Symantec, Coca Cola, Hellenic and many of Ireland's Local Enterprise Offices.

The Programme Fee is €150 per person and is payable prior to course commencement.