ARISE 2025 Showcase
June 10, 2025
Thoughts on Enterprise Funding
Today, I attended the Arise showcase, an event stemming from the TU Dublin Arise program. This accelerator is designed to empower TU Dublin’s emerging entrepreneurs by providing the foundational support, mentorship, and resources needed to transform innovative ideas into viable businesses and secure crucial funding.
One important piece of advice I remember today from a guest speaker was, ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.’ Really amazing words! It made me think that when you have something you truly want to do, you should absolutely go for it and try your best. You are the best person to pursue your own goals, and waiting for others can definitely slow you down. However, when you’re working on something bigger, you need a supportive environment and should consider collaborating with and helping others. Both approaches are equally important.
Also, with enterprise funding events like today’s, it’s not easy to build connections. Really not easy. What I initially perceived as straightforward – simply engaging in conversation – has proven surprisingly difficult. I’ve found it hard to discern genuine interest from polite exchanges, particularly with cultural differences potentially at play. It’s a disheartening experience to have positive in-person interactions that don’t translate into follow-up email responses. This has left me feeling a bit self-conscious and questioning my approach to networking.
Despite these social hurdles, the event itself was beneficial, and I’m determined to learn from these experiences and continue pushing forward. I believe in my abilities!