Cutting-edge showcase at MTU

As the planet cries out for more and more dynamic solutions to global issues, Ireland’s next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators have stepped up to the plate at an event on Leeside.

Showcasing a raft of cutting-edge projects, students from around the country brought their ideas to the MTU Arena in Cork for the final of the Student Inc. programme last Thursday.

Ireland’s longest-running student accelerator programme, Student Inc. has been running annually since 2011. During the full-time 13 week programme, participants work on assessing the feasibility of their business idea, building prototypes, and learning all aspects of getting a business up and running.

From 70 applicants, 30 students were chosen for this year’s programme. The students come from a wide range of courses including tourism, engineering, multimedia, computer science. The range of students included those who have just completed first year through to those completing a Master’s programme.

For Jack Sheehan, a Student Inc. participant from MTU studying for a masters in digital marketing strategy, the programme “has been an incredible journey”.

“The support and guidance provided have transformed my idea into a tangible business. Moreover, I've had the privilege of connecting with so many fantastic people, and the programme has equipped me with connections and skills that I'll use for years to come,” Jack added.

The student entrepreneurs worked on a mix of business ideas including education and e-learning, food, industrial products, software, apps, clothing, beauty, tourism, and in the service industries.

A wholesome cacoa-based beverage, an app that effortlessly connects schools with suitable substitute teachers in Ireland, a fishing net with a built-in weight to measure the fish once they are caught (for competitive fishing), and an app to assist non-verbal and preverbal children, were just some of the innovative projects on show at the final.

Each successful participant was awarded with €4,000 in seed funding, expert mentoring and training, access to the university research centres, introductions to a network of international entrepreneurs and investors, and office space.

“The showcase is one of my favourite events every year,” said Carole O’Leary, Regional Programme Manager for 3rd Level Student Entrepreneurship at MTU.

“To see how both the students and their ideas have grown over the 13 weeks of the programme is very rewarding for all those involved in the programme. We look forward to hearing about their future successes.”

Since 2019, the MTU-led Student Inc. programme has been rolled out to five other universities and is now offered on 15 campuses spread across the island of Ireland.

This year the programme was expanded to include two additional universities: Mary Immaculate College, Limerick; and Endicott College, USA. Students from all the partner universities, from Donegal to Cork and across to Boston, showcased their innovative ideas to the business community and members of the public in the MTU Arena last Thursday.