Student Inc. Accelerator Programme

This summer we have had the privilege of hosting UCC’s first ever full-time student accelerator programme, Student Inc. Cork Institute of Technology, who pioneered the Student Inc. initiative, invited University College Cork and Institute of Technology Tralee to partner with them in rolling the programme out. Having a summer accelerator programme has helped bridge a gap in the student entrepreneurship arena in UCC, as students now have the option of applying to participate in a dedicated support programme to develop their business idea without the need to source alternative employment.

Student Inc. takes student entrepreneurship from the classroom and transfers it to an applied setting where the promoters can work full-time on teasing out the commercial merits of their respective ideas. Each student entrepreneur receives €4,000 in seed funding, office space, training and mentoring over the three summer months.

This summer there is a total of ten projects participating in the programme with students emanating from a broad range of disciplines including Accounting, Architecture, Arts, Biochemistry, Business Information Systems, Computer Science, Criminology, Economics (through Transformational Learning), Film & Screen Media Studies, Government and Social Science.

Student Inc. is being funded by the Higher Education Authority, under their Innovation and Transformation Fund.

Dedicated Office Space & Professional Equipment

Student Inc. participants have regular group and 1:1 mentoring sessions.

Some of the projects that we are Currently transforming

'The student Inc. programme has been an amazing experience so far. I have made friends for life and gained invaluable knowledge that cannot be learned by simply looking it up on the internet. The speakers and mentors have helped me to develop a business plan and have also given me a new found confidence in what it is I want to achieve.'

Luke Pottinger,

Stalias Glove Solutions

'Student Inc. is the perfect programme for any aspiring entrepreneurs. We have been given the opportunity to speak to, and learn from industry professionals in marketing, finance, legal challenges and everything in between.'

'There is only so much we could learn from Google. We feel the programme has equipped us well with all the skills and knowledge necessary to get our business off the ground.'

Jordan Morrison & David Killoughy

Setlist

'Student Inc. has provided great support and mentoring on all things business related as DSGN traverses the new challenges of a Social Enterprise. With the dedicated space, time and professional help of Student Inc., we are now preparing to launch our first experiential activities in Bali at the end of August 2019.'

Alastair Brook

DSGN

'A big milestone for my business was securing funding from the Student Inc. programme as this is enabling me to work full-time on the business. I have also been able to hire a full-time programmer for the business with the help of Student Inc.mentors.'

Mafalda Hruskova

YouMaven

If you have a business idea and would like to be part of the 2020 Student Inc. programme, make contact with us!

Telephone: 021-4903976 Email: info@blackstonelaunchpad@ucc.ie