Bertie Launches AI-Powered Start-Up Accelerator Programme With Galway's PorterShed

Bertie, the AI-driven start-up readiness platform developed by Armstrong Studios, is partnering with Galway-based accelerator the PorterShed to prepare 50 early-stage founders in the west of Ireland for Enterprise Ireland funding. The six-week pilot programme launches this week and targets the Pre-Seed Start Fund (PSSF), which offers up to €100,000 per qualifying start-up.

The collaboration is a direct response to Ireland's ambitious national target: Enterprise Ireland aims to support 1,000 new start-ups by 2029, meaning roughly 250 new ventures need to launch every year for the next five years. Philip Reynolds, founder of Armstrong Studios and the creator of Bertie, believes a digital-first approach is the only realistic way to hit that number.

50 Start-Ups, Six Weeks, One Goal

The PorterShed pilot programme takes 50 founders through a structured series of AI-guided tasks and prompts inside the Bertie app. Over six weeks, participants move from initial idea validation to a minimal viable product stage, finishing with a substantially completed PSSF application.

Rosemary Gallagher, programmes lead at the PorterShed, framed the initiative as essential for regional founders who have historically had fewer support options than their Dublin-based counterparts. "We need to make it so that founders here in Galway have as much access to support as anywhere else," Gallagher said. "That thing about always having to go to Dublin for best in class programming is over."

The PorterShed has form in supporting high-growth companies. Founded in 2016 in a converted railway shed (once the arrival point for Guinness kegs into Galway city), the accelerator has been the launchpad for names like Altocloud, Rent the Runway, and Diligent.

Why Ireland's Start-Up Ecosystem Needs an Always-On Solution

A national review is currently underway into how start-up accelerator services are delivered across Ireland. Enterprise Ireland is expected to announce a successor platform to the Dublin-based National Digital Research Centre (NDRC) by the end of the year. The PorterShed, along with RDI Hub in Kerry and Republic of Work in Cork, has been part of the NDRC support network.

Reynolds positioned Bertie as a complement to existing infrastructure rather than a replacement. "People have ideas all the time. You can't turn on and off the entrepreneur tap," he said. "If we're serious about the targets the Government has set, then the system has to be always on. And the only way you can be always on is to provide a digital solution."

The always-available nature of the Bertie platform is a practical advantage for founders who can't attend in-person workshops or travel to Dublin-based programmes. The app works on the founder's schedule, guiding them through the specific tasks required for PSSF readiness.

Reaching Founders Who Don't Yet See Themselves as Founders

Gallagher highlighted a particular goal for the programme: reaching people in the west of Ireland who have viable ideas but haven't taken the step to apply for formal funding. "There are great founders in the west of Ireland, but because the supports are not always available to them, they don't identify as founders or as entrepreneurs," she said.

The programme targets underrepresented groups specifically. Gallagher said she would measure success by "how many hard-to-reach founders it unearths," including women and people who have previously avoided applying because they felt they lacked the time or resources.

"I would love to see more women and people who have put off applying for this type of funding because they didn't think they had the time and focus to do it," she said.

The Speed Problem Bertie Is Built to Solve

Gallagher pointed to a gap in execution speed between Irish start-ups and their international peers. "We have previously been involved with accelerators in San Francisco, and one thing we learned about the difference between companies in San Francisco and in Ireland is speed of execution," she said. "At our current pace, we will struggle to hit the ambitious targets that have been set."

The Bertie platform addresses this by compressing the preparation timeline. Instead of months of ad hoc mentoring and piecemeal guidance, founders work through a structured, task-based programme designed around the exact requirements of the PSSF application process.

Reynolds summed up the ambition behind the pilot: "I'd love to see someone quit their day job as a result of getting this funding."

FAQ

What is the Bertie app?

Bertie is an AI-driven start-up readiness platform developed by Philip Reynolds' Armstrong Studios. The app guides early-stage founders through structured tasks and prompts to bring them from idea stage to a minimal viable product and a completed funding application.

How does the PorterShed pilot programme work?

The programme takes 50 start-ups from the west of Ireland through a six-week AI-guided process inside the Bertie app. Participants complete tasks designed specifically around Enterprise Ireland's Pre-Seed Start Fund (PSSF) requirements. The PorterShed oversees the programme while Bertie provides the AI technology.

What is the Pre-Seed Start Fund (PSSF)?

The PSSF is an Enterprise Ireland funding programme that provides up to €100,000 in investment to qualifying early-stage, high-potential start-ups in Ireland.

Who can participate in the programme?

The pilot targets early-stage founders in the west of Ireland. The PorterShed is specifically focused on reaching underrepresented groups, including women and people who haven't previously applied for start-up funding.

Why is AI being used for start-up acceleration?

Enterprise Ireland has set a target of supporting 1,000 new start-ups by 2029. An AI-powered platform like Bertie can operate continuously, on the founder's own schedule, extending the reach of existing support infrastructure beyond what in-person programmes alone can deliver.