UCD Entrepreneurship Guide 23/24

UCD Entrepreneurship Guide

SKILLS EMPLOYABILITY CAREERS

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"The UCD Advantage Award has not only recognized my achievements but has also inspired me to seek out new opportunities for growth and make a positive impact in my chosen career path. I highly recommend UCD Advantage Award to other students as it is a beneficial program that enhances your employability and overall development of students. "

About this Guide

Whether you are a budding entrepreneur or you would just like to enhance your employability by developing your creativity and innovation skills, this guide is for you! Our aim is to showcase the supports and resources available to you at UCD, plus a selection of the external supports and resources that are of most relevance to current students and recent graduates. We also feature inspirational stories of UCD students and graduates who have successfully taken the plunge and started their own businesses. This talented bunch are doing everything from software development to manufacturing tanning products, from recognising women's participation in sports to innovation consulting, and from producing personalised supplements to sustainable enterprises to equestrian industries. We have covered all of them.

We want this guide to be practical and suited to your needs, and maybe a source of inspiration and ideas. As always, we would love to hear your feedback as we strive to continually improve our service so if you have any feedback on this year’s guide or any suggestions for what we should include next year please drop us an email at: careers@ucd.ie

OK let's start!

Foreword

A warm welcome to the Careers Network’s Guide to Entrepreneurship!!!

Career progression from higher education is often associated with moving into a graduate programme with a large scale national or international recruiter and thousands of graduates follow this track to rewarding and engaging careers. At times, whether at university or later in life, for some it’s the draw of self -employment and being an entrepreneur, which provides motivation, drive, and satisfaction. There is no right or wrong decision in any of this, just being open to opportunities and possibilities.

Dr. David Foster

At Careers Network, we strive to enable students to chart their next steps into graduate study, graduate employment and into self-employment. While still a relatively small percentage of the overall graduate population enters selfemployment directly after college, Silicon Republic reported in 2022 that there were 269708 Small, Medium sized Enterprises in Ireland of which 2246153 were microbusinesses employment up to 9 staff. Entrepreneurs and the SME sector are critical to Ireland’s economic success and future innovations.

Students seeking to develop an entrepreneurial edge may avail of opportunities such as the Investors & Entrepreneurs Society which has a focus on business. The UCD Innovation Academy’s modules and programmes in areas including creativity, innovation and design thinking are excellent options for students to consider when exploring career development in the context of innovation and entrepreneurship. There are similar programmes and competitions run by UCD Nova as well for budding entrepreneurs. ‘UCD Nova Student Enterprise Competition’ offers fourweek mentorship, workshops and a cash prize of €5,000 for the winning team.

I hope that you find this new career resource helpful as your career plans develop and do engage with the UCD Careers Network during your time at UCD. Remember to check out the range of options that have been designed to appeal to those students interested in self- employment, innovation, and entrepreneurial education, many of which you will find featured in this guide.

Getting Started

We know that getting started can be stressful and taking those first steps can be daunting. Rest assured that you are not the only one who is unsure about what to do next and we are here to help you move forward from wherever you are currently.

It’s never too soon to engage with us – whether you are in first year or final year, the sooner you make contact, the more we can do to help. We have developed a new interactive career planning tool, aimed at helping you move forward. All you need to do is think about where you are currently in relation to career readiness – do you have no idea what you want to do or how to go about it? Or do you have some ideas but there are gaps you need help filling in or maybe you are very clear on what you want but would value a sounding board. Wherever you are at right now, just go to the Careers Network website, choose the option that best reflects your current state of career readiness (No Plan, Some Plan, Clear Plan) and you will receive a set of tailored suggestions for supports, resources and activities that can help you move forward.

MyCareer Exciting Features

CV360

CV360 scores your CV against more than 50 checks that commonly annoy a hiring manager. You get instant, detailed feedback so you can optimise your CV and significantly boost your chances of getting to interview stage.

Interview360

Interview360 features a range of mock interviews you can take to really test your ability to come up with strong, confident, wellthought-through answers under time pressure. You’ll get instant feedback and advice, and every question you answer will make you a stronger candidate.

CareerEDGE +

There's a huge range of resources on our MyCareer platform, so if you're not sure where to start, take the CareerEDGE+ profile quiz. CareerEDGE+ is a personal development tool that should help you to identify possible areas for development over the next year.

Career Assessments

Whether you are beginning your career, have many years of experience or are unsure of your career direction, reflecting on your motivations, preferences, values and working style can be useful when considering your current role and desired career path. MyCareer hosts a wide range of assessments including Personality Insight, Motivation at Work, Management Skills and Strengths. The assessments take 10-15 minutes each to complete. At the end of each assessment you can access your personal report, with practical, tailored, recommendations to apply to the workplace.

Plan next steps

Whether you have no plan, some plan or a clear plan, we can help you figure out the next steps. Check out the interactive career planning tool on our website for tailored tips and advice. If you would like to speak to a Career and Skills Consultant, sign up for a 20 minute career coaching session via MyCareer.

Build your skills and develop your employability

Our Career and Skills Consultants deliver a range of engaging and interactive modules, workshops and seminars for students across all disciplines and stages. These cover everything from developing a stand-out CV or perfecting your interview techniques to developing the key skills that graduate employers are seeking, like leadership, teamwork, presentation skills, commercial awareness etc. Check with your Programme Office to find out about bespoke career development and employability support in your area or contact your Career and Skills Consultant

Connect with employers

We advertise thousands of graduate and internship opportunities. Check out the vacancy portal on MyCareer and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin or Instagram to get up to date notifications of exciting new opportunities. If you are considering an internship in the USA, we’ve also got you covered! Check out our comprehensive database of US internship opportunities; CEI Internships.

We will be holding our usual recruitment fairs; Business Finance & Management; Science, Engineering & Technology; Law and Internship. We'll also hold a range of recruitment events featuring the top graduate employers and insightful sectorbased panel discussions. With employers from across all sectors, there really is something for everyone and countless opportunities to connect and grow your network.

Get the job of your dreams

We are active across a range of social media platforms. We use these to promote opportunities and events and generally keep you up to speed on all things careers and employability related. Follow us to stay in the loop. In addition to helping you connect with employers, we also work to ensure you are well-prepared to bag that internship or graduate job. Get your CV and cover letter in shape by using the tools and resources on MyCareer and then have one of our team look over them at a 1-2-1 consultation. Attend an interview skills workshop, practice your interview performance and get valuable personal feedback.

We are active across a range of social media platforms. We use these to promote opportunities and events and generally keep you up to speed on all things careers and employability related. Follow us to stay in the loop.

Dates for your diary

2023/24

Key Dates 2023/24

We know you are busy and there is a LOT happening, particularly in trimester 1...BUT here are a few key dates for your diary. Please note that these are the highlights - for the full event listings, including details of times, venues and registration information, make sure you check out MyCareer. New events are being added to our MyCareer calendar all the time, so don’t miss out!

Student Orientation Week & Freshers Week – 13th to 15th September 2023

If you are new to UCD, Orientation week is a great time to find out all you need to know. Keep an eye on our social media pages for events popping up over the week!

UCD Careers Network Open Day – 20th September 2023

Meet the team and find out all the ways we can help you during your time at UCD, and beyond! We have a range of activities and competitions planned on our Instagram page. Follow us here!

UCD Science, Engineering & Technology Fair – Monday 2nd October 2023

This fair is about all things STEM, from IT to Pharma to Engineering Project Management. If you are interested in a Science, Engineering or Technology related career, sign up on MyCareer today!

UCD Business, Finance & Management Fair – Tuesday 3rd October 2023

This fair is for anyone who is interested in a career in Business, Finance, HR, Marketing, Management, Accounting, etc. Top graduate employers are interested in meeting students across all academic disciplines, so whether you are studying Ag. Science or Arts (or anything else) come along to find out about the exciting opportunities on offer.

UCD Law Fair – Wednesday 4th October 2023

Did you know that Law firms recruit students from across all academic disciplines? You don’t need to be studying Law to pursue a career in Law. Meet some of the top Law firms in Ireland, the UK and further afield. Join on the day to see if a career in Law is right for you.

Kickstart MyCareer - Trimester 1

Kickstart MyCareer is a great way for you to get started on your career journey. This 2 hour workshop takes you through: Career supports that are available to you at UCD and how to use them; Ways to build your skills; Setting up a LinkedIn profile; What to include on a CV/Cover Letter; How to prepare for an interview.

Accelerate MyCareer - Trimester 2

A more advanced, interactive careers workshop where you will get to put your Job Search Strategy, Networking skills, and Application and Interview planning into action!

UCD Internship Fair – Tuesday 23rd January 2024

Internships are a fantastic way to gain work experience and find out whether a particular company or sector is right for you. Lots of UCD programmes have built-in academic internships but lots of students also do summer internships. Join to meet employers, across a variety of sectors who have exciting summer opportunities on offer.

UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School Spring Career & Internship Fair

- Tuesday 5th March 2024

If you are a Smurfit student who is interested in working in Accountancy or Consulting this is the event for you!

Skills for Working Life - Trimester 2

Skills for Working Life is an 8 week programme of employer-led, interactive skills-based workshops. It’s a fantastic opportunity to hone your employability skills while also networking with some of Ireland’s top graduate employers. At the end of the programme you will receive a certificate of participation – another great achievement to add to your CV!

What is the UCD Advantage Award?

The UCD Advantage Award is your chance to get recognition from UCD for skills, knowledge and experience that you have gained through participation in co-curricular activities. Whether you are a part of a UCD Society or sports team, volunteer your time with a charity or have done a summer internship, UCD wants to acknowledge your contribution and development.

Who can apply?

UCD students involved in co-curricular activities can apply. Your activities can range from clubs, societies, volunteering, internships, part-time work and hundreds more.

Why should you apply?

Completing the award helps you to articulate all the amazing transferable skills you have developed. Employers are looking for well-rounded students and UCD Advantage will help you stand out from the crowd. A great addition to your CV!

Stand out from the crowd

At the Careers Network, we meet lots of students who are doing great things but struggle to articulate the development they have gained. For example, you may be a great Peer mentor, Class Rep or Campus Ambassador but you don't know how to communicate the value of this to a potential employer in your CV or at an interview? If this is something you struggle with, then check out the UCD Advantage Award.

UCD Advantage formally recognises the skills, knowledge and experience that UCD students gain through participation in co-curricular activities, on and off-campus. Participation will encourage you to expand the breadth of your co-curricular activity and get involved in things that you may not have considered previously. This can open up a world of opportunity in terms of meeting new people, experiencing new situations and developing a whole host of new skills. Crucially, it will also help you to effectively articulate your skills, attributes and experience, in applications and at interviews.

Recipients of the UCD Advantage Award will be presented with a digital certificate once their application is approved. The digital certificate can be added to their LinkedIn profile and CV. The physical certificate will be awarded to the achievers at a felicitation ceremony and the UCD Advantage Award will appear on their Diploma Supplement at graduation. The Advantage Award can be listed in the “Achievements'' section of the CV.

Advantage Award

Name: Ada Ruohonen

Stage: Stage 4

The UCD Advantage Award was a great way to look back on my experiences and reflect on the transferable skills I had learned by taking part in these activities. It also allowed me to understand what future employers might be looking for when applying for a new job. Overall, the award was a great way to think about my achievements and be proud of myself!

Advice for Students: I would absolutely recommend taking part in the UCD Advantage Award. It is a wonderful opportunity to get recognition for tasks that might otherwise go unnoticed. Besides, it is a great way to come to realise how much you have learned by taking part in extracurricular activities, and how they have been incredibly beneficial in improving your transferable skills for the future. Overall, it is absolutely worth the effort!

Name: Richard Otroshchenko

Stage: Stage 1

100% recommendation

100% of students would recommend the UCD Advantage Award to fellow students. You can register for UCD Advantage at any time, quickly and easily via SISWeb. For more information go to: www.ucd.ie/careers/advantage

Having an incentive to seriously reflect on my experiences was the most valuable part of the award. I was able to put into words how my involvement in UCD helped develop both my personal and professional skills. I believe that my ability to clearly express all the challenges I faced as Class Rep was a key contributor to me securing an internship for the Summer.

Advice for Students: I would absolutely recommend the UCD Advantage Award to anyone who wishes to stand out from the crowd when searching for internships.Additionally, my activities have also allowed me to make new friends and experience new things. Just don’t feel restricted to doing only two activities; there’s every reason to get involved in as many things as you’d like!

Here’s what

Achievers have to say about the experience.

Source: Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 2022

What is Entrepreneurship?

Interest in entrepreneurship is ‘exploding globally’ according to Bill Aulet, author of “Disciplined Entrepreneurship”. When we think about the graduate attributes that employers are seeking to meet their talent requirements, ‘entrepreneurial flair’ is certainly rising up the ranks. Perhaps surprisingly, the term was coined back in the 17th century by Richard Cantillon from Ballyheigue in Co. Kerry!

But what does being entrepreneurial actually mean?

Put simply, it’s about having good ideas and acting upon them. Entrepreneurs are creative problem solvers who are able to take risks and have the ability to bounce back when things don’t go to plan or when projects fail. One of the most high profile entrepreneurs, Richard Branson, said that “I became an entrepreneur by mistake. Ever since then, I’ve gone into business, not to make money, but because I think I can do it better than it’s been done elsewhere”. This shows the importance of confidence and a positive mind-set.

Whilst you might instinctively think of entrepreneurs as founding start-ups and having their own businesses, you can also be entrepreneurial within an organisation as an employee by utilising your “intrapreneurial” skills. Entrepreneurship is based on the same principles, whether the entrepreneur is an existing large institution or an individual starting his or her new venture singlehanded. It requires systematic, organized, purposeful management.

What other characteristics are at the heart of being entrepreneurial?

Aside from having the mental elasticity to create or discover something valuable for society, entrepreneurs need to be able to move forward in uncertainty, have a growth mind-set and have strong leadership skills. Focus on continuous improvement is also a key characteristic as entrepreneurs need to engage in ‘creative destruction’. Essentially, this means dismantling long standing practices in order to make way for innovation.

So, why is it important that we encourage entrepreneurship?

There are clear benefits for the economy including new business creation and enhanced foreign direct investment. But aside from this, entrepreneurship can foster social change and can benefit communities by enabling investment in local initiatives run by not for profits. Being an entrepreneur also has many benefits on a personal level from constant learning and growth, to autonomy and flexibility, and can allow people who wouldn’t flourish as an employee to realise their ambitions. So, if you are considering embarking on your own venture, what is it that is motivating you? Entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone, but as UCD graduate and IBYE Winner for Best Start-up Alan Hickey of WeBringg says: “the start-up environment is booming right now’, so it’s a great time to explore possibilities and the supports that are available to you”.

I believe that anyone with a good business idea, no matter their background, should be able to start and grow a company in Ireland

Leo Varadkar, TD

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Did you know…

Ireland has the third-highest rate for early-stage female entrepreneurs across European countries.

“In 2022, female founded Irish companies raised a record €234 million, or about 16% of total investment. Yes, there’s still a way to go, and there are challenges on the horizon but we are seeing some incredibly exciting innovations coming from female founders in Ireland. The key step is to tap into the resources available and really become part of the ecosystem to help accelerate success”

Aine Mulloy, AWS, Tech Ireland (2023)

Have a business idea?

Or maybe you want to develop your ability to think creatively and innovatively?

Skills

Here are some supports and resources available to you at UCD

Success

Tom Flanagan

UCD Director of Enterprise and Commercialisation

NovaUCD

ucd.ie/innovation

As part of the UCD Research and Innovation unit NovaUCD is the hub of innovation-related activities at the University. NovaUCD nurtures and supports high-tech and knowledge-intensive spin-in and spin-out companies through purpose-built and state-of-the-art facilities and through a comprehensive support programme. NexusUCD, NovaUCD’s Industry Partnership Centre, provides high-quality modern office space, with short, medium or long term occupancy arrangements, and associated services, to established innovation-led companies who are collaborating, or wish to collaborate, with UCD.

NovaUCD also delivers a series of programmes, such as 1-day Sprint Programmes, 5-week Commercialisation Bootcamps and the 3-month VentureLaunch Accelerator Programme, for researchers who wish to launch sustainable and profitable startups emerging from UCD intellectual property. NovaUCD also supports student entrepreneurs through the annual UCD Start-Up Stars Programme.

Nova UCD Student Enterprise Competition

The NovaUCD Student Enterprise Competition, now in its 9th year, takes place in NovaUCD, the start-up hub at University College Dublin (UCD). It is a framework to support undergraduate and postgraduate students who want to work together to develop and grow start-up companies.

The aim of the competition is to assist the participating students in refining their start-up ideas through a series of structured workshops, including taught content from industry experts, interactive workshops, regular mentoring and pitching sessions.

The 4-week mentoring programme, which uses the Lean Startup and Business Model Canvas approach, includes a series of structured workshops and interactive workshops, on topics such as, customer development; value proposition; working in teams; design thinking; prototyping, environment mapping; financial planning and effective fundraising and pitching.

At a final workshop, in late June each participating venture pitches to a judging panel. Based on evaluation of the presentations an overall winning team is selected and will be awarded a €5,000 cash prize; the second placed team will be awarded a €3,000 cash prize and the third placed team a €2,000 cash prize. Over 50 earlystage ventures and nearly 150 students have completed the NovaUCD Student Enterprise Competition to date.

Former competition participants include Charlie Gleeson, who took part in the 2019 competition with an e-scooter business idea, which he then developed into Zipp Mobility. The company which he grew to launch e-scooter and e-bike services in locations across Ireland, the UK and Poland was recently acquired by Zeus Scooters.

www.ucd.ie/innovation/researchers-and-students/ novaucd-student-enterprise-competition/

" We look forward to helping the participating student entrepreneurs to transform their innovative business ideas into early-stage ventures. I would also like to encourage them to take advantage of the opportunity to network with the community that surrounds them here at NovaUCD to help them to succeed with their business ventures.”

Saoirse Kelders, BComm (2022)

Saoirse set up a business a year ago with three other UCD students. She is currently working at Protex AI, one of Ireland's leading start-ups, and she plans to set up her own business in the future in climate change. Here are some highlights from the interview:

How has NOVA helped you?

NOVA was great, especially because of the Student Accelerator Programme where I met fantastic people, including my mentor, Mr. Raomal Perera, who led the Student Accelerator competition, as well as Mr Rohan Perera, a successful businessman and Dr. Lollie Mancey, Programme Director, UCD Innovation Academy whom I admire.

The Student Accelerator Programme was a month-long programme where we were introduced to a variety of topics through workshops on: how to build your own businesses, business canvasses, finance and projecting finances, pitching business ideas and confidently answering investors questions after the pitch, and so on. In the final week we proposed our business ideas to a panel of investors and Enterprise Ireland personnel. We won the competition and we were given a space in NOVA which provided us with a place to work for the summer last year.

I always wanted to start my own business, and NOVA was a stepping stone and a learning journey towards the goal. The people I met and the exposure I had shaped me.

How did you get Involved in the Student Accelerator Programme?

I always wanted to set up my own business and I had an idea. My friends and I worked on it together from the start. We were always looking for different programmes like the ‘Dragons-Den pitch’ arranged by Investors and Entrepreneurs Society, where we pitched our ideas, USPs, financial predictions, and so on to judges in five to eight minutes and won the competition. We also took part in the ‘Irish Students Entrepreneurship forum’ students where we met young entrepreneurs from all over Ireland, which helped us in networking and refining our business idea. One of the cofounders discovered NOVA's programmes, which is how I got involved.

What have the highlights of this experience been for you?

The first point is meeting Mr. Raomal Perera; he is the most valuable person I have met and has left an indelible impression on me. Second, my experience in NOVA reinforced my belief that I can successfully start my own business. It gave me confidence, which was super significant.

What advice would you provide to aspiring student entrepreneurs?

Join NOVA if you are even somewhat interested or inquisitive about NOVAs entrepreneurship. NOVA's programmes are beneficial to students of all disciplines, but especially to those with no business background. Therefore, do not hesitate. Setting up a business can be frightening but I would advise you to just join NOVA since courses at NOVA can change the trajectory of your career and it certainly did mine in a fantastic way.

Dr. Darragh Whelan Founder of Output Sports

UCD Innovation Academy

UCD Innovation Academy is a unit of University College Dublin, and was established through the Innovation Alliance between University College Dublin and Trinity College Dublin. Since then it has expanded from its initial focus on working with PhDs. Today the Academy works with undergraduates, postgraduates, and educators, and with organisations and partners beyond academia.

UCD Innovation Academy takes a highly action-oriented approach to teaching and learning. Teaching is grounded in academic rigour but the focus is on the practical application of this in a real-world context. They work with over 1,000 learners each year from UCD Undergraduates to PhD students and professionals from Industry across all sectors.

UCD Innovation Academy’s project-based, experiential modules and classes bring together students from all 42 schools at UCD to build skills by tackling real-world challenges in partnership with leading graduate employers across all sectors including PwC, Arnotts|Brown Thomas, Deloitte, Mastercard, and Diona.

For more information on undergraduate modules go to: innovators.ie/ucdundergraduate-electives The Innovation Academy also offers UCD PhD and Masters students a range of modules designed to enhance creative confidence and facilitate entrepreneurial thinking. For more information go to: innovators.ie/phd-modules

"Completing modules within the Innovation Academy during my PhD and working with Nova UCD has been very valuable in understanding how to get a product to market and scale successfully"

“The way the course is structured allows you to learn the Design Thinking methodology by working on real life business problems. I found this incredibly effective and rewarding, and it made it easier to apply to my own ideas afterwards. The encouragement and empathy of the UCD Innovation Academy team was invaluable too. I came away feeling recharged and capable”

-

Gobnait , The Grassroots Guild

“During my time in UCD, I completed multiple modules in the UCD Innovation Academy as electives. Not only were these classes very enjoyable but also provided experience in the creative thinking process, business plan development and concept research in a practical way. Many of the skills and insights learned during those modules I have continuously reverted back to since launching Care Box Collection”

-

Klara, Care Box Collection

“The course at the UCD Innovation Academy was exactly what I needed for the stage that I was at. I was full of ideas and energy but was lacking support and guidance. This was completely new terrain for me coming from a social justice and community development background into the world of social enterprise. The tutors and colleagues on the course were supportive, many of them had vast experience of being innovative leaders, creating new products and testing prototypes. I immediately felt like I found my tribe. There was endless idea generation, creative problem solving, approaches to user centric testing and discovery. Having a safe space to dive into my project and have the input and feedback from creative leaders on the course was invaluable. I tweaked and developed angles on my pitching and found huge confidence in what myself and the women were aiming for”

-

Aoife,

The Great Care Cop

“Joining the entrepreneurship skills course at the UCD Innovation Academy with Mr. Fergal Brophy enriched my business skills by giving me a better understanding of how to monitor and develop my business, as well as introducing me to some helpful tools and software. This all helped me grow my idea and give me the push I need to keep working on it”

- Hisham, Thrift

Did you know…

“If you have any sort of business plan or idea, and you're at a point where you don't know what to do, where to go, who to ask. Do the innovation creativity and entrepreneurship course at the UCD Innovation Academy, I was at a roadblock creativity wise, and I came across this course randomly on google one day and it completely opened my eyes and refuelled my passion for my business. I recommend this to everyone in all walks of life, especially budding entrepreneurs.”

- David, ReaDI Watch Ltd.

Irish start-up funding had its third consecutive year of staying above a billion, with total funding last year standing at €1.3bn.

techireland.org

UCD enactus

Enactus stands as a vibrant global community, uniting student, academic, and business leaders with a shared vision of using entrepreneurial action to drive transformative change and shape a more sustainable world. With a remarkable presence in 36 countries and an expansive network of over 72,000 members, Enactus continues to inspire and empower through its impactful initiatives.

Guided by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Enactus teams worldwide have been instrumental in effecting sustainable changes for over 40 years. As agents of social innovation, they tackle pressing challenges and create meaningful solutions, aligning their efforts with the SDGs to foster a brighter future.

The journey begins with national competitions held in each country, where Enactus teams compete to secure the title of national champions. These champions then come together as a select group of 3,500 student, business, and academic leaders at the highly anticipated Enactus World Cup—an awe-inspiring event that showcases excellence in competition, collaboration, and celebration.

At UCD, an active and passionate Enactus team thrives, bolstered by the support of esteemed Faculty Advisers from UCD in the Community and the UCD Innovation Academy. This dynamic team has proudly represented Ireland on the international stage at the Enactus World Cup, a testament to their commitment and impact.

The benefits of joining the Enactus team at UCD are boundless. As a member, you will not only make a tangible difference in peoples lives but also embark on a transformative personal journey. Through engaging in impactful projects, you will cultivate vital entrepreneurial, project management, teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills—a valuable asset that will propel your future success. Moreover, Enactus offers unparalleled opportunities for exposure to senior business leaders through the esteemed Enactus Business Advisory Board and participation in the insightful Autumn and Spring Summit events. Top graduate employers in Ireland, including KBC, Unilever, and Enterprise RentACar, actively collaborate with Enactus, often providing exclusive internships reserved for Enactus students.

Join the vibrant Enactus community at UCD, where innovation, collaboration, and social impact converge. As a member, you will be part of a transformative movement, igniting positive change while gaining invaluable experiences and forging lifelong connections that will shape your journey towards a brighter and more sustainable future.

Together, let us embrace the power of entrepreneurial action and create a world where innovation thrives, communities flourish, and lives are transformed. JoinEnactus at UCD and be a catalyst for meaningful change.

enactus stands for: entrepreneurial –igniting business innovation with integrity and passion action – the experience of social impact that sparks social enterprise us – student, academic and business leaders collaborating to create a better world

Iva Sharma, BSc Computational Social Science (1st year)

Envision this: You're a fresh-faced college student, bursting with enthusiasm and a burning desire to make a difference in the world. That's when I stumbled upon Enactus. Growing up, I found immense inspiration in the philosophical journey of a prominent Japanese thinker, Dr. Daisaku Ikeda, whose profound insights on fostering global peace and universal happiness have become my guiding light. Little did I know, this organization would become the driving force behind my quest to transform lives and communities. My journey with Enactus began in my first year of college when I joined as a project lead for HeadstArts.

While working for HeadstArts, we collaborated with schools and care centers like Saint Michael's House to create a transformative impact for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Through needs assessments, customized class designs, on-site art and dance workshops and with the support of caregivers and training coordinators, we brought joy, creativity, and a whole lot of dancing to their lives.

Upon joining Enactus, I underwent a profound transformation, evolving into a more empowered and purpose-driven individual.As I engaged in impactful projects and collaborated with like-minded individuals, I discovered newfound capabilities and strengths within myself. The challenges we faced as a team pushed me to step outside my comfort zone, fostering resilience, adaptability, and a fearless approach to problem-solving.

Representing HeadstArts at the national competition was an exhilarating experience. Together with my team of dedicated individuals, we poured our hearts and souls into perfecting our presentation and showcasing the remarkable outcomes of Headstarts. Presenting before esteemed judges and fellow social entrepreneurs, we had the chance to share our journey, achievements, and the transformative power of Headstarts.

To my delight, one of my co-team member and I were even selected as recipients of a 500 Euro bursary sponsored by KPMG in recognition of our dedicated efforts in Enactus. This honor will allow me to proudly represent UCD as part of the Irish delegation at the Enactus World Cup in the Netherlands this year where teams from around the world come together to compete.

Here is what some UCD students have to say about their involvement with enactus:

Small Change

Investors & Entrepreneurs Society

The UCD Investors & Entrepreneurs’ Society is Ireland’s largest career focused student society.

With over 2000 members on our mailing list, we are UCD’s most active society, offering 50+ events per year to our student members. Enjoy career-launching experiences delivered by leading professionals and competitive firms (For example KKR, Goldman Sachs, BCG, & More). Every year, you can expect to enjoy an even broader range of I&E events. Regardless of your degree, experience or age, there’s something here for you every week.

Women in Business: Mentorship programmes, Panel Discussions, Networking Events…

Entrepreneurship bootcamp goes beyond being a transformative experience for students; it serves as the spark that ignites their entrepreneurial spirit. Witnessing the ongoing development of some of these early ventures at the NovaUCD Students Enterprise Competition is truly gratifying. It is an honor to collaborate with these aspiring young entrepreneurs on their journey to success!"

Career Workshops and Company Presentations: Investment Banking, Enterprise, Law…

UCD Student Managed Fund: FinHack, Equity Analysis, Macro Research, Stock Pitches…

Speaker Series: Panel Discussions, Keynote Speakers, Podcasts…

Start-Up Accelerator: Three-Day Start-A-Thon, Monthly Workshops, Dragon’s Den…

Data Science and Analytics: CodeFirstGirls Coding Classes, Quantamental Blog…

Consulting: Workshops, Talks, Panel Discussions…

Consulting: Client projects, Case Competitions, Case Prep…

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"The I&E Society

Raomal Perera, member of UCD Investors and Entrepreneurs' Society

Big Impact

Ireland ranks 3rd in Europe for entrepreneurs with ‘high jobs growth’ expectations.

Daniel Coen | Skippio

Professional Diploma (NQ 9), Strategic Management

Featured in Business Post 30 under 30 | Startup of the month

Niamh Tallon | Her Sport

BComm (2015), Msc Digital Marketing (2017)

Featured in Business Post 30 under 30

What is the business about?

Her Sport was founded to level the playing field for women in sport through daily content on our social media platforms and website as well as education via our workshops in schools, clubs and businesses. Our vision is equal opportunity in sport regardless of gender. Our goal is for girls and women in sport to be on PAR with their male counterparts by increasing:

Participation in sport - with a focus on retaining teenage girls in sport, Attendance at women's sports events, and Recognition of female athletes.

Her Sport is a movement and a symbol of change. We are committed to gender equality and making a positive impact for girls and women in sport. Our mission is to use sport to empower, educate and inspire, so girls and women can achieve their full potential.

Where did the idea come from?

I took part in sports and was a sports fan growing up. As a sports fan I found it difficult to find information on women's sport, I noticed my peers dropping out of sport and I also had some negative experiences as a woman in sport. I began to investigate women's sport, uncovering more about unfair treatment of women and girls in sport at local and community level, as well as the disproportionate media coverage and societal conditioning - how we market sport to girls and women, role models and the visibility at grassroot and elite level, as well as barriers specific to girls and women, including the menstrual cycle and periods, body image, nutrition and more. It was clear to me that as a society, we were failing girls and women in sport.

After I finished my masters in UCD Smurfit, I built the Her Sport website, created the social media channels and instantly started creating women’s sports content. This was the founding of Her Sport and I now lead a team who are passionate and dedicated to making change for women every day.

One in four startups that raised funding in 2022 had a female founder/co-founder. Women-led start-ups are experiencing record levels of funding - Tech Ireland (2023)

Women have outperformed the overall start-up founders population. Funding for start-ups in Ireland dropped in recent months. However, women-led start-ups have not suffered too much as a result of this - (siliconrepublic.com)

What/who inspired you?

I am motivated to change things for girls of the future. I want to see girls and boys, women and men, have equal opportunities in sport. Sport is about so much more than winning and offers a huge amount in life. I have personally experienced this and am motivated to ensure as many girls and women are offered the same opportunities, benefits and growth from being involved in sport. Sport has contributed hugely to my personal development; communication, teamwork, resilience, problem solving, time management to name a few skills. These skills impact every aspect of my life, personally and professionally. Sport positively impacts health, mentally and physically and offers friendships, community, belonging and so much more. I believe that every girl and woman deserves the opportunity of being involved in sport and I am motivated to ensure girls and women see a future in sport and exercise, regardless of the standard or the role they play.

What external support did you receive?

We have been part of the Starting Strong Programme for the six months where female entrepreneurs are provided with guidance and mentoring from established female entrepreneurs and supported by KPMG and Enterprise Ireland.

We recently have been accepted on to the Changing Accelerator Ireland Programme with Social Entrepreneurs Ireland. This programme will help us to develop and establish our workshops and education, which will be key to making social impact in Ireland.

We have sought advice from people in many relevant industries including the sports, media and business industries who have offered valuable guidance and we have also established a network of people who believe in our mission and want to support the development of the business. We have been supported by the Local Enterprise Office with mentorship and grant support, as well as grant support from Three Ireland and FedEx.

What advice do you have for budding entrepreneurs who have an idea that they want to bring to life?

Entrepreneurship is exciting but also very tough. If you have an idea, do your research - find out if other people think it's a good idea too! Is there a market for your product or service? Who are your competitors or do you have any? What makes you different? Figure out what it takes to bring your idea to life - whether it's finance, expertise, etc, and then establish if it's something you are passionate about and want to pursue as a business.

What's next for your business?

Her Sport has been developing a number of aspects of the business in the background - including our educational workshops and programmes for schools, clubs and businesses, developing our corporate programme and our expansion to the UK. In 2023, we will be hiring 2 - 3 more people to join our team, to increase our output and help us to develop our business, while making further impact on society. We're looking forward to the upcoming sporting events including the World Cup, Olympic Games, Paralympic Games and more!

Website: www.hersport.ie

Colin Keogh Sapien Innovation | Rapid Foundation

PhD in Mechanical and Energy Engineering

At University College Dublin, I completed a BE in Mechanical Engineering, an ME in Energy Systems Engineering and a PhD in Mechanical and Energy Engineering. This rigorous academic grounding not only equipped me with a strong technical foundation but also honed my problem-solving and critical thinking skills, all of which have been invaluable in my career as an entrepreneur.

Throughout my professional journey, I have been involved with many startup organisations from Energy companies, to advanced manufacturing through to metaverse companies, but the two longest running organizations I founded are Sapien Innovation and The Rapid Foundation. Sapien Innovation is an enterprise where we explore and harness the potential of innovation, disruptive technologies and processes to create new business impact, technology developments and positive societal impact. The seed for this venture was sown from a deep-seated fascination with the power of technology and its potential to drive meaningful change.

The Rapid Foundation, on the other hand, was born out of a desire to democratize access to technology. We focus on equipping those in developing countries with technology like 3D printers and low-cost electronics, tools that could otherwise be out of reach but have the power to transform lives and communities. We changed how the world delivers developmental aid, and won numerous awards including becoming a Forbes 30 Under 30, JCIs Top Outstanding Young Person and a number of Red Cross humanitarian awards.

My inspiration comes from the belief in the transformative power of technology. I envisage a world where technological literacy is not a barrier, but an enabler for progress, and it's this vision that fuels my work and my initiatives.

At UCD, I was fortunate to have a wealth of resources at my disposal. As a research engineer, I had access to advanced research facilities and a dynamic intellectual community. These resources were instrumental when I co-founded Team Open Source Ventilator (TeamOSV) just after completing my Phd. This project aimed to develop low-cost emergency ventilator systems and other critical equipment to aid in critical healthcare situations during Covid, a mission that combined my engineering background with my passion for humanitarian work. Externally, I received tremendous support through various channels. For instance, our work with TeamOSV involved extensive collaboration with a global team of over 600 members. Their diverse skills and expertise greatly contributed to our ability to create our emergency medical solutions. In addition, my involvement in organizing Startup Week Ireland and engaging with the Irish startup ecosystem provided invaluable networking opportunities, insights, and resources that have greatly enriched my entrepreneurial journey.

For budding entrepreneurs and researchers aspiring to bring their ideas to life, my advice is to always remember the potential real-world impact of your work. Embrace disruptive technologies and innovative thinking. Don't be daunted by the prospect of starting small—often, the simplest solutions have the most profound impact. Pursue collaborative opportunities actively, as teamwork often breeds innovation and effective solutions.

Websites: www.sapieninnovation.com www.therapidfoundation.com

Jennie Haire

Your Wellness Collective, Co-Founder, MSc in Management Consultancy (2018)

What is the business about and where did the idea come from?

It is a health and lifestyle platform. We specialise in personalised health and supplement plans. My cofounder and I are nutritionists and we saw that there was a lack of understanding around supplements in the market and so 'Your Wellness Collective' bridges the gap. We give people personalised supplements based on their health goals. We offer high quality supplements on our e-commerce platforms and we also work in corporate wellness programs.

Where did the idea come from?

It was through myself and my co founders experience with clients. We saw that there was a lack of understanding surrounding supplements and we just thought how beneficial supplements could be but, only when you are taking ones that are actually targeted to your health goals and concerns. And that's where the idea emerged.

Which resources did you find in UCD useful?

I was an ASPIRE Scholar in the UCD Smurfit School. I found the ASPIRE scholarship network and colleagues very useful and valuable. The Market Research Paper in MSc Management Consultancy was useful too.

What external support did you receive?

Networking has been key. I found a couple of programs designed for female entrepreneurs very useful namely: Going For Growth, highly recommend it. We got a lot of support from the Local Enterprise Office and after a bit of growth Enterprise Ireland can be useful too.

What advice do you have for budding entrepreneurs who have an idea

that they want to bring to life?

I think you have to be very responsive to your market. So you might think that you have a product that is, you know, perfect for your audience. But when it goes to market, you are very likely going to have to pivot that and adapt it to the needs. And I think, taking consumer feedback on board is crucial to the success of any startup. So that is probably the first thing. Secondly, if you don't have a finance background, you need to get on a course to up skill yourself, and that's because cash is king and you will need to understand the figures going forward. These two are really key. Third, there is never going to have a perfect product when you launch. So I think launching when you are maybe 80% there and then getting consumer feedback and adapting it will be key. Last, having a really granular understanding of where your money is going, how you're spending it will be essential too. So you have to really understand your business and the numbers behind it, because, you know, business with only good ideas fails every day.

Website: yourwellnesscollective.ie

Tips for Budding Entrepreneurs

ALWAYS REMIND YOURSELF OF THE WHY, this helps to stay motivated when things are tough and when you are feeling alone trying to push for something new. Get out and talk to people. Every time I have been stuck, that's what I’ve done and it never fails me.

WORK HARD – I’m sorry but there are no shortcuts, there is no overnight successes you need to work hard everyday and keep going. Working hard is important but watching your burnout is equally just as important you cannot pour from an empty glass.

SET REALISTIC GOALS AND REALISTIC TIMEFRAMES. Have a plan , a good business plan is the blueprint to success. Always revert back to the blueprint.

CELEBRATE ALL YOUR WINS BIG AND SMALL. It's so important to reflect on these as it helps to keep you going and realise what achievements you're making daily on the road to success.

EVERYONE'S VERSION OF SUCCESS IS DIFFERENT. First define what success is for you and work to that.

DON'T FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE TO KNOW EVERYTHING but always be willing to learn! Seek advice and guidance from industry experts. Put yourself, your brand, your business out there - don't be afraid to ask for things - the worst someone can say is no - whether that's a call, meeting, business deal, interview - anything!

WORK IN AN AREA YOU HAVE A PASSION ABOUT. Times can get tough as an entrepreneur however if you are working in an area that you’re passionate about, it can help to motivate you to put the head down and keep going.

FOCUS ON THE PROBLEM NOT THE SOLUTION. Talk to potential customers about their specific problems early, before making any advances on tech etc. This will allow you to plan your proposed solution much easier, and also know early if you will have to pivot your potential technology to cater to the problem.

GROW YOUR NETWORK EARLY. Many start-up founders have sought advice from other founders and from my experience, everyone seems more than happy to lend their knowledge as they have been in the same position.

MAINTAINING A STRONG CURIOSITY and a commitment to lifelong learning. Resilience and adaptability are crucial when navigating the inevitable challenges of entrepreneurship. It's essential to believe in your vision and work tirelessly to make it a reality.

The Positives of Failures

Always have plan B and plan C going into any interaction. Try to find any learnings from your failures as you will have a lot of people saying ‘no’ to you in early stages of the business.

Embrace failure. Failure is learning. If you are not failing you are not learning, fail fast, fail forward. I Love that one. Lots of mini failures is what we want to avoid major catastrophes. Checking attitude to failure is key, it is a way to make something that didn’t work, work.

No journey is without roadblocks. There are constantly ups and downs, wins and losses. Show up every day and the hard work will pay off. Sometimes things that you're hoping will work out, don't - but other times, great opportunities you don't expect, will work out!

It helps to see failure as a natural consequence of trying new things. Getting everything right isn't one of the options.

Make peace with the fact that you'll make mistakes, drop the ball and feel like giving up. Then don't!

Entrepreneurs should view failure not as a final destination, but as a detour on their journey towards success. They must embrace setbacks as opportunities to learn, adapt, and reroute their strategies while remaining steadfast in their ultimate goal

Reflect on failure, learn from it and pick yourself back up Get back out there and start again. For the 100 nos there might be one yes so keep working for that yes. Failure is not the finish line, it's only the starting point – flip your mindset.

Learn from failure & don’t fear it. Running a business can be a rollercoaster, there will be new challenges and issues every week but if you learn from each of them you will make significant progress.

Failure is a part of the game. If your driver is the idea, I think failure will be harder to handle. If you want to be an entrepreneur, failure is part of the job.

Young startups should view failures as learning opportunities. Failures are not the end, but rather, stepping stones in the journey of entrepreneurship. The key is to learn to adapt and make necessary changes while always staying true to your core vision and values. These days I search for failures, as they show you exactly what's needed to succeed.

There is also a wealth of support for budding entrepreneurs outside UCD. Here are some resources that are particularly useful for students or recent graduates.

External Support and Resources

ResourcesSupport

Support Success

“Our Local Enterprise Office in Sligo has been a tremendous source of support. They provided us with a mentor, funding for the development of our website and very much guided us in the right direction”.

Local Enterprise Offices

Your Local Enterprise Office is a great starting point for anyone thinking about starting or growing a business in Ireland. Your LEO can provide advice, information and support to you in starting up or growing your business. Whether you are interested in starting up a new business or already in business, your LEO can:

• Provide direct financial supports

• Advise on alternative funding options .

• Offer business information, one to one advisory services and enterprise support.

• Provide high-quality training including; Start Your Own Business, Managing Your Business e.g. Marketing, Sales, Financial Management, Strategy and Business Planning.

• Mentor you and your business with experienced experts.

• Guide you to the services most relevant to support the growth and development of your business.

• Give you advice on local authority regulations, planning, accessibility, environment, procurement and other issues affecting your business.

• Connect you with appropriate State resources for your business

• Offer networking opportunities to help you to promote your business, exchange ideas and meet potential suppliers, partners and clients in a friendly environment.

They also provide a range of green supports designed to help business become lower carbon and more resource efficient, including mentoring and workshops.

For UCD students, your “local” LEO is Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Local Enterprise Office but you can also contact the LEO in your home county/area.

www.localenterprise.ie/DLR/ contact@ leo.dlrcoco.ie 01 2047083

Rhona Togher Founder & CEO Restored Hearing

NICE programme

The Network for Intercultural Competence to facilitate Entrepreneurship

You can find out more about NICE, including how to apply at: nice-eu.org/

NICE offers students the opportunity to develop valuable intercultural competencies and entrepreneurial skills by completing a virtual learning programme, developed by a consortium of eight European research-intensive universities. Participants will learn how to apply these skills to global and societal challenges of their choosing by working together in transnational teams, enhancing their employability and confidence in the global workplace.

NICE is open to all students from partner universities (UCD is a partner) and is specifically built in a way to encourage students who haven't been able to go abroad previously, have specialised learning requirements, or don't have the time to go away for more than a week.

The NICE programme will provide you with skills to become more employable after graduation. You will build these skills by:

• Participating in an interactive virtual module, focused on intercultural competence and entrepreneurship.

• Building an innovative business idea in a cross-national team to address a Global Challenge.

You also have the opportunity to apply to attend a Summer School hosted by one of the partner universities.

Jane Creevy BSc in Sociology and Social Policy

My name is Jane Creevy. I am a mature student and I have just completed my final year as an undergraduate studying Sociology and Social policy. I first heard about the NICE programme when I received an email in my student email inbox. Initially, I thought this is for younger students, so I looked it up online and read more information about and I was intrigued. This programme is for everybody. The NICE programme which stands for Network for Intercultural Competence to facilitate Entrepreneurship helped me to learn about entrepreneurship in a much broader sense than I believed entrepreneurship to be which for me was the first lesson.

This programme offers a unique opportunity of working in a diverse virtual team to develop a business idea to solve a global challenge. Our wonderful multicultural team included people from Ukraine, Holland, and Scotland to name a few. We all worked together to complete tasks and online modules. These modules were inciteful and interesting and it was great to do a college project without the stress of being graded and exams This project did not feel like work – it was enjoyable!

I feel especially as a mature student you can get caught up in study and learning and forget to make time for extracurricular and enjoyable interesting things. You can falsely believe that some college activities are not applicable to you and therefore overlook them. Additionally, as a mature student it is difficult to immerse yourself in student life what with other commitments such as financial and family, this programme offers a wonderful opportunity to travel and study which may not always be an option for a mature student. I am so glad I decided to apply to this programme. I am looking forward to attending the week long summer school in Padua, and continuing to build on my skills and refining our business idea.

ERASMUS for Young Entrepreneurs

Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs is a cross-border exchange programme which gives new or aspiring entrepreneurs the chance to learn from experienced entrepreneurs running small businesses in other participating countries. You can gain first-hand knowledge about business start-up in a wide range of areas such as: marketing/sales, financial accounting, customer relations, business finance etc. while gaining insight into different cultural and organisational settings and how companies function in other countries.

Who can participate?

• New entrepreneurs, firmly planning to set up their own business or have already started one within the last three years

• Experienced entrepreneurs who own or manage a Small or Medium-Sized Enterprise in one of the Participating Countries

• However, you must also:

• Be a permanent resident in one of the Participating Countries;

• Have a concrete project or business idea, reflected in a business plan;

• Be motivated and committed to collaborate during your stay with an experienced entrepreneur from another Participating Country; be prepared to contribute to the development of the host entrepreneur's business and make your skills and competences available;

• Be ready to complement the programme funds as needed to cover the costs of your stay abroad.

What funding is provided?

The financial support to new entrepreneurs contributes to travel and subsistence costs during the visit. It is calculated monthly and is based on the monthly lump sum for the relevant country.

How do I find out more?

You can find lots more information about the programme at: erasmus-entrepreneurs.eu

Each participating country has a local contact point. This person will guide you throughout your exchange: help you with your application, help you establish a successful relationship with a suitable entrepreneur as well as providing you with all the answers to your questions. In Ireland, the local contact point is:

Contact Organisation:

Dublin Chamber of Commerce, 7 Clare Street, Dublin 2

Contact details: +353 01 644 7200, international@dublinchamber.ie, info@helpingnetworks.com

Are you eager to make a difference but not sure where to start? Have you already started taking action and need a boost?

Why not check out the STAND Ideas Collective stand.ie/ideas-collective or contact mary@stand.ie to see how you can get involved.

STAND celebrates the power of ordinary people to change the world. Stand.ie was set up in 2014 in response to the desire among students and young people in Ireland to learn more about global issues and take action. Contributors come from a range of backgrounds but all have one thing in common: the desire to bring about positive change in the world. STAND is a not-for-profit initiative by Suas Educational Development.

The Ideas Collective is a collaborative and creative space where participants can come up with great ideas that could change the world! Over the course of three weekends during the summer, 30 students and young people aged 18-25 join expert trainers to explore how together they can address global injustice and inequality. Participants learn about important global issues, brainstorm ideas for change, and develop the skills and strengths required to create a project that could make a real difference in the world.

Climate change, forced migration, gender inequality, poverty – these are some of the greatest challenges of this generation, and we can’t wait around for someone else to tackle them. Now is the time to act!

STAND Ideas Collective Social Entrepreneurs Ireland (SEI)

Social Entrepreneurs Ireland (SEI) is an Irish not-for-profit organisation that supports people with new solutions to Ireland’s biggest social problems. SEI helps these individuals to increase their impact by providing significant funding alongside in-depth technical and practical support.

Over the last 14 years, SEI has supported 264 social entrepreneurs, and this year’s funding will bring the total support to over €7 million, in addition to providing significant additional support. These projects have in turn directly impacted 1.7 million people all over Ireland, creating over 1,345 employment opportunities in the process.

Social Entrepreneurs Ireland (SEI) is an Irish not-for-profit organisation that supports people with new solutions to Ireland’s biggest social problems. SEI helps social entrepreneurs to increase their impact by providing funding alongside technical and practical support. If you are an aspiring social entrepreneur go to socialentrepreneurs.ie for more information.

Gobnait Ní Néill The Grassroots Guild

Postgraduate Certificate in Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship

2022

What is the business about?

The Grassroots Guild is a not for profit social enterprise. Our aim is to share the skills that allow people, groups and businesses to take an active role in restoring nature where they live and work. We take nature conservation principles and shrink them down to a domestic scale, so that gardens and green spaces can become miniature national parks, supporting wildlife in all its forms. We do this in three ways: by providing practical tutorials and workshops, nature walks and talks and DI-Wilding project kits.

Where did the idea come from?

Like many people who find themselves with a garden to look after, I knew I wanted to do something for pollinators and perhaps birds too. But starting with little or no practical knowledge, I found it difficult to figure out what to do, and how to do it. Much of the advice I found was either unsuitable for the Irish climate, or not specific enough that I could just get going.

Quickly it became clear that I wasn't the only one with lots of motivation but no clear plan as to what to do. As I began to figure out how to make nature restoration projects work in my own garden, I shared them with my local environmental groups and neighbours

Over the next year, the idea for a social enterprise that could deliver effective projects directly to communities started to form.

Did you know?

What external support did you receive?

With the support of Dublin South City Partnership, I was accepted on to Social Entrepreneurs Ireland's Ideas Academy programme and was lucky enough to receive a Dublin City Social Enterprise Award. I was recently honoured to have been selected as one of the projects put forward for the Circular Economy Hotspot Legacy Award. There's a real sense of camaraderie and support with the social enterprise sphere, and lots of support from across the public sector. Top Tip(s) to budding entrepreneurs.

• If you have an idea that won't go away, go for it

• Don't worry about getting everything right, done is better than perfect

• Hold your ideas loosely, and be prepared to change your mind and the direction of the business if there's good reason to do so

• Take a good look at your own skill set, and make the most of it, whatever it is. Then identify the gaps in your skills and find people to fill them. No one expects you to know it all.

Website: www.thegrassrootsguild.org

- Global Entrepreneurship Monitor report 2022

More than three in five entrepreneurs are trying to minimise the environmental impact of business.

Rethink Ireland

Rethink Ireland provides cash grants and business support to the social innovations, nonprofit organisations working in communities who can make a real difference. Our task is to fuel these innovations with the knowledge and the advice they’ll need to succeed on a nationally impactful scale. We’re here to open doors and give them access to the networks and connections who can help them spread their ideas throughout Ireland. We nurture communities of like-minded organisations who come together to share thoughts and approaches. Based in Galway, Cork and Dublin, our staff are strategically located to hold events, seminars and Accelerator programmes to support social innovations across the country.

Aoife Smith | The Care Co-op

Prof Diploma in Creativity, Innovation and Leadership at UCD Innovation Academy

What resources/support did you use/get externally?

What is the business about?

The Great Care Co-op (GCC) is Ireland's first worker cooperative in home care. The mission is to provide great care with great jobs.It is a not for profit social enterprise delivering home care to older/ vulnerable adults to assist them to live at home with a good quality of life as they age, and also to provide sustainable employment for care worker, the majority of whom are women and migrants.

Where did the idea come from?

The idea to set up a worker cooperative stemmed from almost two decades of grassroots campaigning and advocacy work with migrant women working in care and domestic work at the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland. There was a lot of frustration with the poor terms and conditions of work, the low wages, and the undervaluing of care workers, and migrant carers in particular also had to deal with racism and discrimination. We decided there had to be a better way and we decided to do it for ourselves and set up a democratic worker cooperative to bring a better model of home care and employment to the market.

What/who inspired you?

The women I was campaigning with, their everyday stories of bravery and overcoming negativity and fighting for better. The collective action, solidarity and vision for something better was inspiring.

Although GCC is designed to be financially sustainable on traded income we have to break even first so relied on philanthropic funding in addition to traded income to get started. In 2019, The Great Care Co-op won a Rethink Ireland grant for 3 years under the Equality Fund which was vital for us as we had just incorporated, it supported funding the business development work. GCC also won the Dublin City Social Enterprise Award in 2020 which also gave us important seed money to get the business up and running. Since then GCC successfully got funding through Community Foundation for Ireland to help us scale.

What advice do you have for budding entrepreneurs who have an idea that they want to bring to life?

Surround yourself with creative thinkers, visionaries who are not afraid to push boundaries and who thrive on change. Design sprints, testing, open to change and doing it differently all the time, listen and learn from others who have walked the path before you, use your judgement too, get out meet people, keep talking about your idea and taking steps all the time to move it forward.

Setting up a new business is all consuming, be sure to resource yourself and do stuff you like, if like me you get energy from trying out new things and are full of ideas, this is a great space for you, but watch your energy levels as going on all cylinders for prolonged time is draining. Don’t forget to take your foot off the gas sometimes.

Website: www.thegreatcarecoop.ie

Student Entrepreneur Awards

If you have a business idea with real commercial potential, then the Student Entrepreneur Awards may be the competition for you. Sponsored by Enterprise Ireland, Cruickshank, Grant Thornton and the Local Enterprise Office, the Student Entrepreneur Awards offers third level students from all academic disciplines and courses of study the opportunity to realise their entrepreneurial ambitions.

There is a first place cash prize of €10,000 to be won plus the opportunity to avail of €30,000 worth of specialist advice and assistance to potentially help turn your enterprise idea into a business reality. The Student Entrepreneur Awards are open to fulltime registered third level students on the island of Ireland.

See studententrepreneurawards.com/about-the-awards for more information.

Irish Student Entrepreneurship Forum

The Irish Student Entrepreneurship Forum (ISEF) is a student-run, non-profit initiative which provides a platform for student entrepreneurs in Ireland to launch and grow their businesses. This is achieved by means of an annual, multi-stage competition, where the finalists gain the opportunity to present their startups to a judging panel of established business leaders, as well as potential investors at a showcase event. Contestants can also participate in workshops with companies such as Web Summit, Broadlake and Dublin BIC in the lead up to the event.

For more information go to: isef.ie

U21

Universitas 21 (U21) is a unique global network that brings together 28 universities who share a common belief in the value of collaboration and internationalisation.The programmes of U21 are designed to benefit students by sharing resources, learning together and co-designing solutions to SDG common challenges via a number of competitions:

U21 Aspire Hub

U21 Aspire is an online development micro-programme for aspiring social entrepreneurs and change makers. The free, online hub provides on demand access to videos from successful social entrepreneurs and leaders and fellow students who have set up their own social projects.Through the suggested exercises, Aspire allows you to explore their next steps to becoming a social change maker.

Global Citizens Programme

Global Citizens Programme is a three week online learning programme,delivered by Common Purpose, a global not-for-profit organisation that specialises in Cross-Boundary-Leadership,with 75 student spaces available per institution. Applications open in January with the programme taking place in March.

Sustainable Micro-internships

Sustainable Micro-Internships are an exclusive opportunity for U21 students to come together and work in small groups across the globe, sharing knowledge to make change on behalf of an

organisation. This real-world project tests your ability to deliver results, pitch your results to stakeholders while working with a diverse, international team and building key enterprise skills. Applications will open in October.

RISE

Are you a student with a sustainability venture or social enterprise? Enter RISE to make global connections and scale up your project. RISE (Real Impact on Society and Environment) is U21’s international showcase of student achievement in sustainability and social innovation designed to accelerate the scale and impact of student-led projects by connecting them with a network of experts in academia and industry. Applications open in July.

U21/PWC Innovation Challenge

The competition is designed to encourage international collaboration and networking between students across borders and allow them to work individually and in teams on real-world challenges via a short three-minute video. The videos are judged by PwC and their clients. Students taking part will:

- Develop strong communication skills

- Create their own professional networks

- Take on real-world challenges

- Connect with other students across the globe Applications for this challenge opens in January every year.

Dreamer

Get inspired by these UCD students and graduates who have started their own businesses

Entrepreneur

Klara O'Leary Care Box Collection

Social Science (2019)

What is the business about?

Care Box Collection is an e-commerce gift and subscription box company providing meaningful yet affordable gifts worldwide.

Where did the idea come from?

Care Box Collection was founded in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Like so many others, I found myself feeling helpless while a friend was going through a particularly difficult time during lockdown. I wanted to let her know I was thinking of her and send something meaningful but without breaking the bank. The type of gift I was looking for didn't seem to exist in the Irish & European market, so I decided to create my own. It was from this that the concept for Care Box Collection was born.

What advice do you have for budding entrepreneurs who have an idea that they want to bring to life?

Start! Whether that means research, website building, asking for advice or product development. You will learn so much more by doing the work and facing challenges.

Strive for perfection but don't wait for it.

Website, social media platforms: www.careboxcollection.com, @careboxcollection

Profile

Hisham A Alnaimi | Thrift Medicine undergraduate course

What is the business about?

Thrift in Saudi Arabia is a great way to find affordable and stylish clothing. This shop has a wide selection of clothing for men, women, and children of all ages. Many of these items are vintage or gently used, giving customers the opportunity to find unique items at a fraction of the price.

Where did the idea come from?

I was strolling through the streets of Dublin when I noticed a number of thrift shops. Seeing the variety of second-hand goods on offer, I thought to myself that it would be great to have an online thrift shop. I decided to explore this idea further and eventually opened my own online thrift shop, giving people from all over Saudi Arabia access to thrift.

What/who inspired you?

The idea struck me first when I saw a chance to pioneer in a seemingly new concept locally in al Khobar, and to then expand the idea to all around Saudi Arabia.

What advice do you have for budding entrepreneurs who have an idea that they want to bring to life?

1. Do your research about your market

2. Create a Business Plan

3. Secure Funding

4. Establish Your Brand and,

5. Build Your Network

Tips:

Starting a business as a medical student is challenging but achievable with time management and planning. Balancing priorities, leveraging transferable skills, seeking collaboration, and staying committed are key strategies for success.

David Byrne

ReaDI Watch Ltd.

BComm International (2018) | MSc Finance (Part-Time) (2020)

SFA Small Business Awards Winner (2023)

Finalist of Manufacturing and Supply Chain Award (2022)

Irish Manufacturing Research: Product Innovation & design

What is the business about?

ReaDI-Watch is a B2B Software as a Service company that helps small to medium businesses embrace and unlock their Innovation and R&D potential.

Where did the idea come from?

I worked as an Innovation and R&D consultant in a family-grown consultancy business. I led the project team there in brainstorming the idea!

What/who inspired you?

As a consultant, I was fortunate to work with stellar Irish & UK entrepreneurs - this inspired me to start a technology company.

What resources and support did you get from UCD?

We have been working in NovaUCD since we started, and benefit from the space, mentorship & community there.

What external support did you receive ?

We have been finalists in the Seedcorn Investor Ready competition, the IMR Product Design & Innovation competition and the SFA Small Business Awards (Winner). We have also participated in Web Summit on the Alpha programme. We have worked on accelerator programmes since we started the business, including New Frontiers (TU Dublin), DBIC (Furthr) Investor Ready Programme. We are currently on the IPOReady Accelerator run by Euronext.

What advice do you have for budding entrepreneurs who have an idea that they want to bring to life?

I suggest really being clear on what you want to achieve in your day to day. Is this problem you're solving, something that you'll wake up day-in day-out and drive to solve, or do you like the idea of being an entrepreneur, and the idea is secondary? If the idea is secondary to wanting to be an entrepreneur, I would suggest talking to people like myself who are in the weeds of it - is this a lifestyle you would enjoy?

My second piece of advice would be to "hustle with a careful optimism". Keep moving, keep following actions, keep progressing, and be carefully optimistic in doing so. If no one takes this approach, you'd have a world of big dreamers who don't act, and pessimists who prevent change!

What's next?

We have now found our feet as a business, with a team, with customers in Irish & international markets. We're now in scaling / growing mode, where we need to really figure out clear Product Market Fit and Go-To-Market execution. This is what I think about day-in day-out. I am currently located in Toronto, and plan to drive our Canadian business forward too.

Website: readi-watch.com

Kimberly Brophy | Naked Glow

Postgraduate degree in Creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship

Featured in Femme Radio | Apple Podcast, An Entrepreneur like you by Lorraine Mancey on Spotify | Irish Pharmacy news

What is the business about?

We are a Skincare and beauty brand empowering women to live a happy life and love their bodies a bit more. By combining skincare and self-tanning ingredients Naked Glow utilises the most skin nourishing ingredients in all our formulas to create the perfect balance between healthy hydrated and glowing skin. Not only does this weightless mousse glide onto your skin easily but it wears off just as easily and naturally, with no tan like smell and buildable coverage to create the perfect tan colour for you.

Naked Glow is ultimately a product designed to make you feel your very best, even when needing that extra glow, us gals tend to love! It is hydrating and delivers immediate show-stopping results while leaving skin with a seamless finish. We Aim to Improve Your Skin's complexion -We Aim to enhance your naked beauty, with our self-tanner and skincare range both for face and body.

My mission is to help my customers feel good naked. Feel confident. Feel strong. Fake tanning is transformative for both the mind and body. I created this selftanning collection based on what is important to me and for my skin; hydration, replenishment, looking and feeling good naked and of course that bronzed glow! With years of trialling and testing all different types of tans from wipes to lotions from too yellow to too orange, and of course been a complete tanaholic I knew exactly what type of formula I wanted and what shades the market needed and that was how Naked Glow was created.

Where did the idea come from?

I suffered with really dry dehydrated skin and couldn’t find a tan brand that was affordable for me that also kept my skin healthy and didn’t leave me scrubbing layers of skin of myself while trying to remove it, I was a consumer with a problem and with no solution to that problem I decided I would create one myself. With years of trialling and testing all different types of tans from wipes to lotions from too yellow to too orange, and of course being a complete tanaholic I knew exactly what type of formula I wanted and what shades the market needed and that was how Naked Glow was created.

What advice do you have for budding entrepreneurs who have an idea that they want to bring to life?

Do something you care about and have a passion for. Do your market research and spend wisely. Have a business plan and set realistic goals.

Website: nakedglow.ie

Did you know:

Two in every three entrepreneurs expect to use more digital technology to sell products or services in the next 6 months

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (2022)

Stephen O’Dwyer | Trojan Track

B.Eng Biomedical Engineering (2021)

What is the business about?

We are revolutionising the equine industry by combining biomechanical analysis with cutting-edge deep neural network technology. Our innovative solution provides quick and accurate analysis of a horse’s movement and performance, all with just a smartphone camera and tripod – eliminating the need for any wearables.

Where did the idea come from?

During my final year thesis, I was introduced to markerless motion tracking on humans. From my passion for the sport, I realised that this technology would be very useful for injury detection and analysis on racehorses as they are generally analysed by eye or by feel, with many injuries going unnoticed.

What/who inspired you?

Having the ability to work directly and make an impact in an industry that I was such a big fan of. This, combined with the ability to work on all aspects of a business, not just doing one specific job really enticed me.

What external support did you receive ?

A programme that I can’t recommend enough is Enterprise Ireland’s New Frontiers. They have a Phase 1 programme that is either on two weekends or a few nights a week depending on the cohort that delves into the basis of the idea and how to evaluate if it is worth pursuing. The Phase 2 lasts 6 months and is a funded accelerator that allows you work on the business full-time by providing you with a monthly stipend. These funnel you into the Enterprise Ireland network where you can receive early stage funding of up to €100k.

What advice do you have for budding entrepreneurs who have an idea that they want to bring to life?

If you can truthfully tell yourself that your idea is solving a significant problem, then go for it. Especially coming out of college when time and energy may be on your side. Talk to one of the accelerator programmes such as New Frontiers, DogPatch Labs, Furthr etc. They will have guided hundreds of people in a similar position to take the first steps. Approach your Local Enterprise Office as there are starting grants you can avail of from these.

Website: www.trojantrack.ie

UCD Careers Network

UCD Career Development Centre Library Building

University College Dublin

Belfield, Dublin 4 Ireland

Tel: +353 (0)1 716 7574

Email: careers@ucd.ie

Get in touch

We are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.

You can find us on the corner of the James Joyce Library building; we have our own entrance next to the Campus Bookshop and opposite the main lake. The library building is no.34 on the Belfield Campus Map.

MyCareer

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