The New Frontiers class of 2023 showcase and awards ceremony took place at South East Technological University (SETU) in Waterford recently, with many members of the start-up community in attendance.
Mr O’Shea’s inclusion in the entrepreneurial hall of fame is in recognition of his outstanding achievements in growing Taoglas to a $100+ million business, employing nearly 500 people, across 10 global locations, including Wexford, Taiwan, and San Diego
Hailing from Enniscorthy in Wexford, Dermot earned a BSc, in Physics and Mathematics from UDC. He also was awarded a Post Graduate Diploma in Enterprise Development in 2006, when he participated in the South East Enterprise Platform Programme (SEEPP) currently known as New Frontiers.
The SETU New Frontiers entrepreneurial hall of fame recognises exceptional personal and entrepreneurial achievement. It also acknowledges the entrepreneurial spirit of business founders, who not only have the ability to identify business opportunities in emergent technologies but who have the vision and the leadership skills to turn business ideas into reality, creating leading-edge products for global markets.
Dermot joins two prior SETU New Frontiers entrepreneurial hall of fame inductees: David Whelan of XR Engage in Waterford and Edward Hendrick of Sonru in Wexford.
Addressing guests, after his induction to the entrepreneurial hall of fame, Dermot said, “I am truly humbled and delighted to receive this award, and I would like to thank everyone in New Frontiers for their support back then and throughout the years. I would highly recommend the program for anyone starting a high-growth and international business. The course content is extremely relevant, and the networking is something that continues to be valuable even after 20 years in business.”
At the event, Dermot shared his experiences of managing Taoglas through multiple stages of international growth and numerous product introductions and offered advice to the graduating SETU Waterford New Frontiers class of 2023.
Paula Carroll the National New Frontiers Manager at Enterprise Ireland said, “The achievements of companies like Taoglas is testament to the success of the New Frontiers programme in giving ambitious entrepreneurs the skills and expertise needed to build the successful businesses of the future. Enterprise Ireland considers this programme an essential element in its remit to support the development of early-stage businesses across counties of Ireland.”
New Frontiers Programme Director at SETU in Waterford, Eugene Crehan congratulated Dermot on his “visionary leadership of Taoglas, from his days as a participant on our New Frontiers programme in Waterford to a global multinational business and a leader in GPS and IOT connectivity”.
Applications for the next programme at SETU in Waterford are now open. See http://www.SETU.ie/NewFrontiers for application details. The online Phase 1 programme commences in September 2023.