Student Inc. Unveils Nationwide Launch of Ireland’s Top Student Entrepreneurship Accelerator
Student Inc. Encourages University Students to Transform Their Inventions and Business Ideas Into Reality:
Photograph by Emily Piggott. From Left to Right: Diego Garcia – Quartz, Aoife Goulding – Kookease and Iarla Crewe – Quartz
Student Inc., Ireland’s leading entrepreneurship accelerator, is thrilled to announce the national launch of its 13-week student accelerator summer programme. Backed by a network of 9 Irish universities, an international university, and the Higher Education Authority (HEA), Student Inc. will provide 75 students across Ireland with the opportunity to turn their entrepreneurial ideas into reality in summer 2025.
The programme, originally developed by Munster Technological University and the Rubicon Centre, offers €4,000 in seed funding, intensive coaching from seasoned entrepreneurs and investors, and a hands-on learning experience. Throughout the summer, students will engage in workshops and mentoring sessions aimed at developing practical innovation skills and navigating the complexities of the business world. For the 2025 iteration there is a specific strand of the programme geared to the creative sector, Creative Student Inc.. This is being spearheaded by IADT Media Cube.
Student Inc. has already supported the launch of over 30 student start-ups, including notable ventures like Gasgon Medical, founded by MTU alumnus Vincent Forde. His company has transformed safety in intravenous infusion within hospitals.
Through a hybrid delivery model, Student Inc. ensures broad geographical reach, allowing students to stay at their home universities and campus incubators, surrounded by experienced entrepreneurs, while benefiting from world-class mentoring and training online. This approach promotes nationwide participation and connects students from various disciplines with industry leaders, mentors, and like-minded peers.
Photograph by Emily Piggott. From Left to Right – Aoife Goulding – Kookease, Paul Healy – General Manager of Rubicon Centre, Reece Hogan – A Chara, Iarla Crewe – Quartz, Carole O’Leary – Regional Manager Student Entrepreneurship, Diego Garcia – Quartz
A recent enhancement to the programme includes the integration of Universal Design (UD) principles, providing participants with the tools to incorporate accessibility and inclusivity into product development from the outset. This forward-thinking addition ensures that Student Inc. continues to lead in fostering innovation that benefits all.
An external evaluation has awarded Student Inc. an exceptional Net Promoter Score of 85, placing it among the top entrepreneurial programmes worldwide.
Carole O’Leary, Student Inc. Programme Manager, stated: “We are thrilled to see the continued growth and success of Student Inc., as the programme gains momentum and delivers even greater impact each year. With 41% of alumni launching businesses after completing the accelerator and an additional 36% planning to start a business in the future, the programme has clearly had a transformative effect. Students consistently emphasize the value of collaborating in multidisciplinary teams and cultivating entrepreneurial mindsets as some of the key benefits of their participation.”
The upcoming campaign, set to launch in the New Year, will spotlight the success stories of Student Inc. alumni, feature inspiring testimonials, and showcase engaging events aimed at attracting Ireland’s next generation of student innovators. Applications for the summer 2025 programme in now open to all students from the partner universities, welcoming applicants from any discipline or year of study.
For more information, visit https://www.studentinc.ie/ .
