We are now accepting expressions of interest for the next Katapult Programme which is due to commence in Autumn 2025 (late September, start date to be confirmed).
The deadline for completed expressions of interest for this programme is Friday, 5th September 2025. With limited places available, all completed applications will be reviewed and applicants contacted to assess suitability closer to the start of the programme.
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
Hear about the benefits of taking part in the Katapult Programme from previous participants:
Serena Grimes - Snugí Babóg: |
Eoin Dempsey - Shift: |
Raymond Valentine - Flexidrive: |
'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
| Date | Expert | Session |
| TBC | | Session 1: - Introduction, Person, Product Framing (3hrs)
|
| TBC | | Session 2 - Customer Discovery and Business Validation (3 hrs)
|
| TBC | | Session 3 - Value Proposition and Business Validation (3hrs)
|
| TBC | | Session 4 - Market Sizing & Business Models (2hrs), Successful Start Ups (1 hour)
|
| TBC | | Session 5 - Funding Options & Finances (3 hrs)
|
| TBC | | Session 6 - Legals (1.5hrs)
- First Pitch Deck (1.5hrs)
|
| TBC | | Session 7 - How to market the product / service (3hrs)
|
| TBC | | Session 8 - Operating a Start Up and Building your Product (3 hrs)
|
| TBC | | Session 9 - Pitch Practice & Investor Memo Review (3hrs)
|
| TBC | | Session 10 |
An initiative of LEO DLR and supported by the following experts in their fields;
- Denise O'Grady - Programme Manager
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 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
.jpg "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. |
The Programme Fee is €150 per person and is payable prior to course commencement.
