Scale-X, a Local Enterprise Office Donegal Accelerator programme, returns on April 19^th 2023, targeted at high potential start-ups and business expansions in the county. This exciting programme is unique to Donegal and is built by investors for entrepreneurs. Applications are now open for entrepreneurs or businesses located anywhere in the world, who demonstrate a commitment to growing their business from Donegal.

Director of Economic Development, Garry Martin, Assistant Head of Enterprise, Grace Korbel, Head of Enterprise, Brenda Hegarty, Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr. Liam Blaney, and Steven Perry, Business Advisor with Local Enterprise Office Donegal pictured launching technology accelerator

Donegal SCALE–X will target start-up entrepreneurs with the potential for fast growth in a range of sectors such as Tech, Engineering, Blue Economy, and Health Sciences. This programme aims to focus on facilitating potential spin-outs from existing firms in the county and region and on introducing programme participants to potential investment funds.

Speaking at the launch of Donegal SCALE-X, Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr. Liam Blaney stated: ‘’Over the past year we have seen a number of very positive business expansion plans in Donegal across a range of industries. This programme will provide an opportunity for further organic growth in these and other high-performing sectors.’’

Clare Ryan of ITUS Secure Technologies is a past participant of the SCALE-X programme.

Local Enterprise Office Donegal is collaborating with Skillfluence to implement the Donegal – SCALE – X programme. Skillfluence provides bespoke training progammes designed to accelerate the needs of entrepreneurs and empower them to translate research into commercial opportunity.

Brenda Hegarty, Head of Enterprise at Local Enterprise Office, Donegal said: “Donegal SCALE-X focuses on giving participants a deep understanding of factors that can drive success, along with the skills to build financial models that stand up to investor scrutiny and industry engagement. The programme will also provide mentorship from leaders in their field, so participants will get valuable insights and advice on ways to adapt their business model as necessary”. 

Clare Ryan of ITUS Secure Technologies is a past participant of the programme and stated: ‘’Scale-X was extremely helpful to our organisation and mentorship from industry leaders helped to give valuable insight and advice on how we can adapt our business model to grow and scale, nationally and internationally’’.

Donegal SCALE–X will target start-up entrepreneurs with the potential for fast growth in a range of sectors such as Tech, Engineering, Blue Economy and Health Sciences.

The deadline for application to this programme is Monday March 27^th 2023. Following this, 12 businesses will be selected for the accelerator, which commences on April 19^th and will run for 11 weeks. For more information on the programme and how to apply visit: https://www.localenterprise.ie/Donegal/Training-Events/SCALE-X-ACCELERATOR/