Building entrepreneurs of the future – UL Entrepreneurship Innovation Bootcamp

UL Entrepreneurship Innovation Bootcamp aims to develop students’ entrepreneurial mindset and capacity to be innovative and creative problem solvers.

UL delivered the three-day programme to TY students to help enhance their business skills

The next generation of Limerick business leaders and entrepreneurs were given the opportunity to experience business start-up first hand at the Entrepreneurship Innovation Bootcamp hosted by Nexus Innovation Centre in collaboration with the Kemmy Business School and the UL Access Office.

Twenty second-level students from Thomond Community College, Colaiste Nano Nagle and Coláiste Mhichíl completed the fourth Entrepreneurship Innovation Bootcamp at UL.  The aim of the camp is to develop students’ entrepreneurial mindset and capacity to be innovative and creative problem solvers and generate qualities such as personal responsibility, leadership, risk-taking, a sense of initiative, self-confidence, and team spirit. It provided students with the knowledge and skills in idea generation, design thinking, market validation and how to commercialise a new business idea.

advertisement

advertisement

advertisement

Students also gained insights into the changing business landscape for entrepreneurs and opportunities in digital and STEAM areas.

This three-day programme was delivered in an engaging way through practical workshops, role playing, and pitching exercises developing skills in teamwork, communication, project management and design thinking. Students also had the opportunity to network with entrepreneurs in the Nexus Innovation Centre and received complimentary access to masterclasses and wellbeing workshops from Nexus member jumpAgrade.  The camp is also an opportunity for second-level students to experience life on a higher-education campus having completed team building activities with UL’s indoor climbing wall, the highest climbing wall in Ireland.  

Speaking at the camp Gert O’Rourke, Manager at Nexus UL said: “Nexus is delighted to host this exciting bootcamp helping participants develop creative confidence, entrepreneurial thinking and leadership skills. With our colleagues in KBS and the Access Office, our mission is to inspire second-level students to generate business ideas equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge for their journey in entrepreneurship.

Briga  Hynes,  KBS  added that there is a wealth of innovative thinking among our bright student population and programmes such as this bootcamp are central to unleashing the entrepreneurial potential and capability of students whilst providing critical transferable workplace skills.

The bootcamp is supported by the Higher Education Authority (HEA), on behalf of the Department of Education and Skills as part of an investment of €250,000 to provide nearly 1,000 students initiatives that stimulate creativity, innovation and design skills among students.

For more information on Nexus Innovation Centre, go HERE

For more information on Kemmy Business School, go HERE

For more education stories, go HERE