science lecturer working in lab

ivenTUre

TU Dublin Student Entrepreneur Accelerator Summer Programme 

Have you got a great business idea but need help with the next steps? Then come on an ivenTUre this summer. ivenTUre will help you develop key skills to make your CV stand out, create your own business, and become your own boss.

We provide you or your team with a fantastic co-working space for you to work on your idea, a series of practical workshops, and the opportunity to pitch to a panel of industry experts to be in with a chance to win a €1,000 for the best of ivenTUre pitch

ivenTUre is a student entrepreneur accelerator.  This means that you or your team will go through a structured programme to learn entrepreneurial and business development skills, with training and coaching provided by industry experts in a short period of time (3 weeks).

Any TU Dublin student can join and we are open to meeting all kinds of businesses and ideas, from fashion, childcare and fitness, to products, apps and software. All that matters is that you have the passion to succeed and are willing to work hard for it.

The aim is that we help accelerate you to become a skilled student entrepreneur, helping you to stand out from the crowd. 

You will learn a range of important entrepreneurial and business development skills, including:

  • how to turn an idea into a business
  • how to think creatively
  • how to become your own boss
  • develop problem solving skills
  • build confidence through learning how to present and pitch your ideas or business
  • make connections and network with other start-up businesses and student entrepreneurs

After you successfully complete ivenTUre you will also get a  TU Dublin Digital Badge in New Venture Design that you can put down on your CV.

  • In-person sessions in City Campus.  
  • Monday 20 May 2024 until Friday 07 June 2024. 
  • Lunch and refreshments provided. 
Provisional Schedule (subject to change)
  • Week 1 (City Campus):
Date Day Time Workshop
21 -May Tuesday 9:30 - 12:30 
Orientation, Entrepreneurship, Introducing the Pitch
13:30 - 16:00
Identifying Opportunities, Ideation
22 -May Wednesday  9:30 - 12:30 
Idea 1.0, Value Proposition, Customer Segment
13:30 - 16:00
Customer Relationships and Channels
23 - May Thursday 9:30 - 12:30 
Empathy, Initial Problem Statement, Customer persona
13:30 - 16:00
Customer Discovery
  • Week 2 (City Campus):
Date Day Time Workshop
28 -May Tuesday 9:30 - 12:30 
Idea 2.0, Learnings, Pivot or Persevere?
13:30 - 16:00
Market Validation
29 -May Wednesday  9:30 - 12:30  Resources & Partnerships
13:30 - 16:00
Revenue Streams & Cost Structure
30 - May Thursday 9:30 - 12:30 
Pitch Preparation
13:30 - 16:00
Prototype / Storyboard and Customer Validation
  • Week 3 (City Campus):
Date Day Time Workshop
04 - June Tuesday 9:30 - 12:30 
Pitch Practice Session 1
13:30 - 16:00
Pitch Practice Session 2
05 - June Wednesday  9:30 - 12:30 
Pitch Competition Semi Finals
07- June Friday 9:30 - 13:00 
Pitch Competition Semi Finals & Graduation Ceremony

Apply now: https://forms.office.com/e/PCaMXEXyU1

Applications closing by 03 May 2024 at 5pm.

Hear from some of TU Dublin's student entrepreneurs about why they completed ivenTUre and why they think entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial skills are important.

2022 ivenTUre winner testimonial_Alex

Student Enterprise Champion 2023 Profile_Eric

Student Enterprise Chmpion Profile '23_Karen

Student Enterprise Chmpion Profile '23_Chris

Student Enterprise Chmpion Profile '23_Sanat

Student Enterprise Champion Profile 2023_Damola

Student Enterprise Chmpion Profile '23_OJ

Why should I apply?

  • You should definitely apply if you’re interested in one day running your own startup. ivenTUre will support you to progress your idea and give you the help, support and guidance to make the absolute most of it including high quality trainers, mentoring support and access to successful entrepreneurs.
  • Even if you are not certain about your future plans we still encourage you to apply for the learning opportunity. Entrepreneurship skills of creativity, problem solving, and making things happen, feature in every official list of future skills (e.g. World Economic Forum) and are highly sought by employers. Completing ivenTUre will give you the chance to develop and test these skills, and also provide you with evidence of your achievement with a TU Dublin Digital Badge in New Venture Design which will no doubt add to your CV or resume.
  • And of course, you will make new friends and have some fun along the way.

Who can apply?

  • ivenTUre is open to all TU Dublin students – full time and part time – and at every level up to and including PhD.

When’s the closing date?

  • Applications close Friday, 03 May 204. However, we are making offers on an on-going basis so to be sure of a place please apply at your earliest opportunity.

Can I apply as a solo founder?

  • Yes. You can apply as an individual or as part of a team.

Can I apply with a team?

  • Of course. We are especially welcoming teams who will work on their enterprise idea together over the course of the programme. Collaborative working spaces for teams will be available.

I have a team member who is not a TU Dublin student. Can they participate in ivenTUre?

  • This is possible but we are making decisions on this on a case-by-case basis. Please send us information on this at iventure@tudublin.ie.

Are there any application supports available?

  • The application process is very easy but if you have any questions, please email iventure@tudublin.ie.

I have an idea, but I don't have a team - what do I do?

  • You can still apply for ivenTUre as an individual and there is plenty of time for you to recruit team members to get involved in developing the enterprise idea. All you have to do is get your new team members to apply.

Who owns the IP of my idea?

  • IP stands for Intellectual Property. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment the anything created can be classified as IP, such as inventions (patents); literary and artistic works (copyright); new product designs (industrial designs); and brand-names, symbols, or logos used to distinguish products and services from one undertaking from another (trade marks).
  • All IP created by the participants during the programme will be owned by the creators.
  • If you are in a team, it is advisable that each team has some form of agreement amongst the members of the team regarding the distribution of any future benefits, such an agreement is the sole responsibility of the applicants.

Do we need to be available full-time?

  • Pretty much although this will mainly be restricted to normal business hours. There will be a number of full day training days that will be in person at the campus location that you sign up for, and some half-day workshops – most of which will be online. Attendance at the workshops is essential. After that, there is also work to be done between workshops to develop your business idea and prepare for the end of programme pitch. Collaborative workspaces will be provided for you to work on your projects.

What are the dates for ivenTUre 2024?

  • The programme kicks off on the Monday after your exams, 27 May 2024, and runs for three weeks. A schedule for each training day will be published on this webpage.

Where is the programme located?

  • Programme will be in-person in City campus.

I have more questions.

  • No problem. Send a message to iventure@tudublin.ie with your query and contact number and we will be back to you.

The programme is being managed and supported by the TU Dublin Enterprise Engagement and GROWTHhub.

GROWTHhub is funded by the Human Capital Initiative, Pillar 3 Innovation and Agility.

Human Capital Initiative, Government of Ireland & GROWTHhub logos