DCCI launches second cycle of Design & Craft Accelerator [Video]

Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) has launched the second cycle of the Design & Craft Accelerator in partnership with Portal, Trinity College Dublin.

The programme is designed to aid design and craft SMEs with international export potential, and offer valuable start-up support. The deadline for applications is 5pm on 6 March.

Last year 10 innovative businesses were selected to take part in the Accelerator, five of which progressed to the second stage, and three of which won at the Showcase Ireland Awards 2025.

Badly Made Books won the Gift Award; Outcrop Ltd won the Sustainability Award, and the Showcase Overall Best Product went to Kopper Kreation.

In 2025, all ten participating businesses will remain on the programme for the seven-month duration and will each receive €5,000 during the course of the programme.

They will be assisted by a diverse set of entrepreneurs to develop viable business models and plans and translate them into concrete, scalable value propositions with the intention of …