Research & Innovation

Minister of State for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection, Pat Breen has launched the Propeller Shannon start-up accelerator programme, supported by Enterprise Ireland to further enhance the aviation and the aerospace start-up ecosystem within Ireland.

The Propeller Shannon start-up accelerator, a partnership between Shannon Group’s International Aviation Services Centre (IASC), DCU Ryan Academy for Entrepreneurs, Boeing, and Datalex, and supported by Enterprise Ireland, aims to drive the development of innovative Irish and international start-up companies in the aviation sector.

The Propeller Shannon accelerator is now open to applications from potential teams or individuals both in Ireland and from overseas working in the aviation, aerospace and travel tech sectors. There are 10 slots available within the programme which will be based at a dedicated innovation hub in the Shannon Free Zone adjacent to Shannon Airport.

Successful applicants to the Accelerator programme will receive a place within the programme for a period of three months where teams will be able to build and commercially validate their technologies by working with existing networks and mentors from global aviation companies like Boeing and Datalex.

The Accelerator programme is part of Enterprise Ireland’s overall strategy to increase the number and quality of start-ups that have the potential to employ more than 10 persons and achieve €1 million in export sales within three years.

Launching the Shannon Propeller Start-up Accelerator, Minister of State for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection, Pat Breen TD said: “I am delighted to officially launch the Propeller Shannon start-up accelerator here in my own constituency today. Shannon has a great heritage of working in this sector and this programme will pave the way for a new generation of aviation entrepreneurs. This incubator programme, supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through Enterprise Ireland, will make a real contribution to supporting growth in the aviation and aerospace industry. It will nurture innovative Irish companies to build scale and expand their reach in global markets.”

Speaking at the launch in Shannon Airport, Joe Healy, Division Manager High Potential Start-Ups, Enterprise Ireland said: “A priority for Enterprise Ireland is to help entrepreneurs and companies to start and scale. By introducing this accelerator programme in co-ordination with Shannon Group and DCU Ryan Academy, Enterprise Ireland is leveraging our strong international reputation as an aviation hub and our world class start-up eco-system to allow businesses in this specialised and innovative sector to scale and succeed. We welcome and look forward to receiving applications from the sector within Ireland and from overseas.”

Welcoming the support of Enterprise Ireland, Matthew Thomas, CEO, Shannon Group said: “Over the years, Shannon has been home to innovations such as the world’s first Duty Free and the first Free Zone, as well as GPA, who pioneered the aircraft leasing industry. I’m delighted that Shannon will now be home to a new generation of aviation entrepreneurs, and we are very grateful to Enterprise Ireland for recognising the importance of the aviation industry for Ireland and for its generous support. The accelerator programme will help drive the development of innovative Irish and international start-up aviation companies and participate in their success, with a goal of producing companies of global significance from Ireland.”

Patrick Edmond, MD of Shannon Group’s International Aviation Services Centre (IASC) said: “IASC’s mission is to grow Shannon’s aviation industry cluster and Ireland’s aviation capability, and we are delighted to join with visionary partners Enterprise Ireland, Boeing, and Datalex, to jointly unearth and support the next generation of aviation and travel technology entrepreneurs and to write the next chapter in Shannon’s long history of innovation.”