Enterprise Ireland Innovators' Initiative

BioInnovate is supported under the Innovators' Initiative Programme co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the Northern and Western Regional Programme 2021-2027. 

The BioInnovate programme was established in 2011. Since 2024, BioInnovate has been supported under Enterprise Ireland’s Innovators' Initiative programme, a new €30M national programme, co-funded by the EU under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), aimed at developing a series of immersive, needs-led innovation training programmes.  

The BioInnovate programme recruits 12 experienced professionals from medical, engineering, business and technical backgrounds each year to engage in a 10-month specialist, medical device and digital health innovation training programme affiliated to Stanford Biodesign. The programme brings participants together to create high calibre teams and supports them to discover unmet healthcare needs and align them with market opportunities.   

From 2011-2024 the programme has trained 150 Fellows and led to 33 companies - 23 of which are high potential start-ups.  Through the Innovators’ Initiative, BioInnovate will train a further 72 Participants, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to become the next generation of healthcare leaders and entrepreneurs, positively impacting lives globally.  

For more information on the BioInnovate programme, click here 

Minister Higgins announces €7m funding for BioInnovate Ireland at University of Galway