TUS BUSINESS STARTUP AWARDS
Celebrating Entrepreneurial Excellence
AWARDS
What are the TUS Business Startup Awards?
The TUS Business Startup Awards celebrate New Frontiers Participants successful completion of "Develop the Business" Phase 2 (6-month Programme) at TUS Midwest's Hartnett Enterprise Acceleration Centre. During the programme participants work both in and on their innovative business ideas while they benefit from training workshops, mentoring, networking opportunities, office space & financial support in the form of a tax-free education stipend of €15,000.
This Awards event is their opportunity to celebrate their achievements & showcase their business idea with attendees - investors, startup supports, clients, sponsors, friends, family and others plus compete to win the coveted title of TUS Startup of the Year. The event includes a panel of speakers including New Frontiers Alumni sharing their entrepreneurial journey, startup supporters, investors & others.
During this event participants pitch & compete for one of three awards: TUS Startup of the Year, Best Innovation Awards & One to Watch Award.
Award Eligibility & Winners Prizes
Pitching to win awards is restricted to TUS Midwest New Frontiers Participants who have successfully completed the 6-month phase 2 "Develop the Business" Programme.
Annually these business founders compete for the coveted title of Startup of the Year and two runners up prizes.
* Prize are subject to change annually based on sponsorship.
Meet the 2026 Winners
Read the 2026 Awards Press Release
Previous TUS Startup of the Year Winners
2022: Patrick Dight, Sparwatch
2021: Lorraine Lynch, Child Pshychology Institute
2019: Ivan Tuohy, Great Ireland Experiences
2018: Ger O'Keeffe, Assure Medical
2017: Mark Cochrane, Trackplan
2016: Evan Talty, Wild Irish Seaweed
TUS Midwest Startup Awards Sponsors
Thank you for our TUS Business Awards Sponsors who generously contributed prize money, mentoring session, training supports & the event venue.
Are you the 2027 TUS Business Award Winner?
Are you an early stage founder/ entrepreneur with an innovative business idea?
TUS Business Startup Awards 2026
Previous Award Events
2024 Awards Event
2023 Awards Event
2022 Awards Event
Alumni Testimonials
"At the beginning of New Frontiers, I was the sole member of the business. We now have three full-time and one part-time employees. New Frontiers has been instrumental in highlighting the areas that required additional skillsets to ensure the company could capitalize on early traction."
Paul Byrnes, CEO Mavarick
"Not only did New Frontiers help getting my business off the ground with the help of workshops, it also gives you the freedom and ‘shot’ at starting a business with the stipend to support that’s available to you. The honesty in feedback from mentors/programme hosts give a sense of reality."
David Kennedy, CEO Niche Sports Data
"When I started New Frontiers I was overly focused on my own experience as a potential customer now I have spoken to lots of potential customers this has helped me improve my product design."
Patrick Dight
"When I started New Frontiers we had a small team, and idea, a basic MVP. Now we have a real business with a comprehensive platform, early customers, and users. We achieved all of this in just 6 months. It would have never been possible without New Frontiers."
Pauline Kwasniak
