About The Programme
AI Venture Forge is a 12‑week programme designed for early‑stage AI startups and innovation teams in SMEs building transformative, AI‑native products.
Based at the PorterShed in Galway, we help you move from technical proof to commercial traction with focused workshops, expert mentorship, fully funded international immersion trips, and a clear path to investment readiness.
Is this programme
for you?
Are you building a tech startup powered by AI at its core?
Do you have a strong technical founder with deep domain expertise?
Are you part of an Irish SME working on a strategic innovation project?
Are you an ambitious founder looking to raise, scale, and go global?
What You’ll Gain
Everything you need to accelerate your journey – from validation to scale.
12-Week
On-Site Accelerator
You’ll take part in a focused 12-week accelerator based at the PorterShed in Galway. You’ll spend two days each week on-site, working alongside a high-potential cohort of founders and receiving structured, high-impact support designed to push your product, business, and mindset forward.
World-Class Mentorship & Strategic Guidance
Work with top mentors, including seasoned founders, AI leaders, and investors, who’ll guide you weekly on product, traction, and growth. Throughout the programme, you’ll also engage with the AI Venture Forge Board to receive strategic input from investors, experienced founders, and Enterprise Ireland advisors, keeping your startup focused, challenged, and accountable as you scale.
Demo Day + Investor Exposure
You’ll have the opportunity to present your company at our Demo Day to a curated audience of investors, Enterprise Ireland representatives, and ecosystem leaders. Throughout the programme, we’ll also help facilitate key investor and mentor introductions to support your fundraising and business development efforts.
Portershed Membership
Every team receives six months of full PorterShed membership, giving you access to workspace, meeting rooms, and a vibrant tech community in the heart of Galway. You’ll be part of a thriving ecosystem of founders, creatives, and technologists, and gain exclusive access to the PorterShed support network—including mentors, alumni, and innovation partners who can help you move faster and go further.
International Trips
You’ll participate in curated international trips to leading startup hubs in Europe and the USA, designed to broaden your global perspective, establish a foundation for your international growth strategy, and embedding global ambition early—positioning your startup to scale beyond Ireland.
Off Ramp
After the 12-week accelerator, your journey continues with a three-month off-ramp phase, offering ongoing mentor check-ins, access to follow-up resources, and international growth activities. You’ll also retain your PorterShed membership for continued workspace access, community support, and connections to our extended network—ensuring you stay supported and accelerating beyond the programme.
The Timeline
Applications Open: 5th May – 2nd June
Programme Launch: June 23rd
Showcase: September
Offramp: September – December
Take Your AI Startup to the World
As part of AI Venture Forge, you will embark on two fully funded global immersion experiences—one during the programme in Europe’s top AI capitals (London or Paris), and one in San Francisco during the post‑programme off‑ramp.
All travel and accommodation are covered, so you can focus entirely on immersing yourself in global tech ecosystems, meeting top founders, investors, and partners, and validating your solution in new markets, and forging the partnerships that power international scale.
On these trips you will..
Engage with leading founders & investors, unlocking introductions that accelerate your fundraising and business development your global growth strategy with tailored advice on go‑to‑market practices, navigating regulatory requirements, understanding cultural nuances, and overcoming market entry barriers
Sharpen your global growth strategy with tailored advice on go‑to‑market practices, navigating regulatory requirements, understanding cultural nuances, and overcoming market entry barriers
Sharpen your global growth strategy, learning regulatory, cultural, and go‑to‑market best practices
Gain firsthand insights into local needs and competitive dynamics
Tap into world‑class tech ecosystems, accessing exclusive events.
Meet our Mentors
Andreea Wade
Barry O'Sullivan
Dorothy Creavan
Elaine Brennan
Emma Redmond
Joe Smyth
John Breslin
Maurice O'Gorman
Rob O'Shaughnessy
Dushyant Singh
