Cohort 0127 · Applications open
Build at the edge of what models can do.
A twelve-week accelerator for early-stage AI teams. In-person. High-signal. Powered by PorterShed.
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12 weeks
From technical proof to traction
In-person
At the PorterShed, Galway
Two cohorts
Starting in 2027
Funded trips
Europe and the USA
About the programme
From technical proof to commercial traction.
AI Venture Forge is a 12-week programme 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?
- Early-stage AI startup or SME innovation team
- Building an AI-native product, not adding a feature
- Ready to spend twelve weeks in-person in Galway
The programme · 12 weeks
Built to last.
The 12-week programme is designed to help AI start-ups move from early promise to a stronger, more focused company.
Each stage builds on the last, helping teams test assumptions, understand their market, refine their product, strengthen their commercial model and prepare for customers, partners and investors.
W01 → W12 · Demo Day is the lit key
W01–W02
Foundry
Founder onboarding, thesis teardown, customer discovery sprints.
W03–W05
Anvil
Prototype to production. Model choice, evals, safety, unit economics.
W06–W08
Temper
Fundraise mechanics. Narrative. Deck labs. Investor intros.
W12
Demo Day
You on stage. A room built for you.
What you'll gain
Everything you need, from validation to scale.
12-week programme
Hands-on workshops and sprints that move your product, business, and mindset forward.
World-class mentorship
Guidance from investors, experienced founders, and Enterprise Ireland advisors, keeping your startup focused, challenged, and accountable as you scale.
Demo Day + investors
Pitch to a room of investors on Demo Day, with support for your fundraising and business development efforts.
PorterShed membership
Six months of full PorterShed membership: workspace, meeting rooms, and a thriving community of founders, creatives and technologists in the heart of Galway, plus our network of mentors, alumni and innovation partners.
International trips
Curated trips to leading startup hubs in Europe and the USA, to broaden your perspective, build your international growth strategy, and position your startup to scale beyond Ireland.
Off-ramp
After the twelve weeks, a three-month off-ramp with mentor check-ins, follow-up resources, international growth activities and continued PorterShed membership.
International immersion
Take your AI startup to the world.
Fully funded trips to leading startup hubs in Europe and the USA. On these trips you will:
Meet leading founders and investors, with introductions that accelerate your fundraising and business development.
Sharpen your global growth strategy with tailored advice on go-to-market practice, regulation and cultural nuance.
Gain first-hand insight into local needs and competitive dynamics.
Tap into world-class tech ecosystems, with access to exclusive events.
Mentors
Learn from people who've built it.
Andreea Wade
Delta Partners
Barry O'Sullivan
Permira
Dorothy Creavan
Jentic
Elaine Brennan
Northwell Health
Emma Redmond
OpenAI
Joe Smyth
Genesys
John Breslin
University of Galway
Maurice O'Gorman
PorterShed
Rob O'Shaughnessy
Switch Dimension
Talk to us
Want to know more about the programme?
Book a time with Dushyant, our programme manager. He’ll walk you through the twelve weeks and help you decide if Cohort 0126 is right for your team.
Dushyant Singh
Programme Manager
Partners & ecosystem
- NDRC
- Republic of Work
- Dogpatch Labs
- RDI Hub
- ICHEC