People
Oliver Herbst
Lecturer in Entrepreneurship and Business Development
Email: oliver.herbst@TUDublin.ie
Oliver Herbst is an experienced educator and practitioner in the fields of entrepreneurship, business development, and consultancy, delivering modules across both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. His teaching portfolio includes Entrepreneurship, Enterprise Studies, New Venture Creation, Small Business Management, Enterprise Development, and Business Process Management.
With a strong foundation in applied learning, Oliver’s teaching is deeply informed by his extensive professional experience. His dedication to real-world relevance has earned consistent recognition in External Examiners’ reports, particularly in relation to his consultancy teaching. He also brings a strong commitment to Quality Assurance, ensuring his courses consistently exceed academic and industry standards.
Research Interests
- Entrepreneurship Education
- Small Business Growth & Development
- Social Enterprise Scaling
- Experiential & Practice-Based Learning
Oliver’s primary academic focus lies in entrepreneurship education, with a particular interest in integrating real-world projects into the curriculum. Since 2016, he has led the delivery of numerous live and semi-live learning experiences, most notably the Market Trader Project, in which students design and operate market stalls at public venues in Dublin. Assessment is based not only on strategic execution but also on entrepreneurial creativity and profitability.
Programme Leadership
Oliver has served as Programme Coordinator for several innovation- and enterprise-focused programmes, including:
- TU5523 | Digital Entrepreneurship
- TU5524 | Design Thinking and Innovation
- TU5525 | Entrepreneurship and Innovation (for Women)
- TU5536 | Design Thinking, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship
- TU312 | MSc in Business and Entrepreneurship
Student Achievement & Mentorship
Oliver has played a pivotal role in preparing TU Dublin students for national and international business plan competitions, guiding teams to multiple podium finishes:
Bolton Trust Student Business Plan Competition (DIT/TU Dublin)
- 2017–2018: 1st, 2nd, 3rd place
- 2019: 1st and 3rd place
- 2020–2021: 1st, 2nd, 3rd place
- 2024: 1st and 3rd place
NIBS Worldwide Student Business Plan Competition
- 2017–2020: 1st place (four consecutive years)
- 2023: 3rd place
- 2024: 2nd place
These achievements reflect his commitment to student development, entrepreneurial excellence, and practice-based learning.