Six early-stage start-ups being established by University College Dublin (UCD) students have been awarded a combined total of just over €15,500 through the UCD Student Innovation Fund.
The fund, a combined effort of the UCD Student Centre and UCD Students’ Union, aims to help student inventors and entrepreneurs by giving them the opportunity to secure funding to help develop their start-up ideas.
At a Dragons’ Den style event held in the Student Centre over 30 business ideas were pitched, from which six were chosen for additional support.
Successful projects included a social network for students; a womens’ health website; and the development of an energy dense material with fuel applications.
In addition to financial support, the student entrepreneurs can also avail of ongoing support and advice from the UCD Students’ Union and the UCD Student Centre and where appropriate participate on programmes such as the UCD Commercialisation Bootcamp held at NovaUCD.
Speaking after the event, Dominic O’Keeffe, UCD Director of Student Services and Facilities, said: “This event demonstrates that UCD students are among the next generation of Irish entrepreneurs and innovators and that by providing positive support, encouragement and access to some early-stage funding that we can assist them to turn their business ideas into start-ups.” He added, “Given the high level of engagement from UCD students on this our inaugural event we now plan to run this an event annually.”
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