NEIC Start Up Entrepreneur Class of 2025 Graduates with Dragon’s Den-Style Showcase

Published: 4 Jun, 2025

The NEIC (North East Inner City) Start Up Entrepreneurship Programme celebrated the graduation of its Class of 2025 with a special Dragon’s Den-style event hosted at the headquarters of aircraft lessor Avolon.

Graduates of the ten-week programme presented their innovative business ideas to a distinguished panel of judges, which included former Dublin GAA footballer Paddy Andrews and Scale Ireland CEO Martina Fitzgerald. Renowned entrepreneur Sylvia Kennedy, founder of the award-winning Treats by Sylvia, joined the event as guest speaker, sharing her personal journey of starting and growing a successful business.

_{Fionn Crowley, Chair of Avolon’s CARE Committee; Martina Fitzgerald, CEO, Scale Ireland; Paddy Andrews, former Dublin GAA footballer; Prof Thomas Cooney, TU Dublin; Olivia Brody, Programme Manager, NEIC Dublin.}

The programme, designed for young people aged 18 to 30, equips participants with the skills and confidence to develop their own business ventures. Over the course of ten weeks, students engaged in workshops and mentorship sessions that supported the development of viable and impactful business plans. This year’s ideas ranged from sustainable e-scooter hire and repair services to AI-driven energy management systems and blockchain-based cybersecurity solutions.

The NEIC Start Up Programme is delivered through a collaborative partnership between the NEIC Initiative, TU Dublin GrowthHub, Inner City Enterprise, Open Doors Initiative, Dogpatch Labs, and Avolon.

Jim Gavin, Chairperson of the Programme Implementation Board for the NEIC Initiative, said:
“As outlined in our Strategic Plan, we are committed to maximising educational, training and employment opportunities. Through NEIC Start Up, we empower young people to explore self-employment, unlocking business ideas and building a brighter future for the NEIC community.”

Professor Tom Cooney, Professor of Entrepreneurship at TU Dublin, added:

“The NEIC Start Up Programme is a powerful example of how TU Dublin and our community partners are unlocking the entrepreneurial potential of young people in Dublin’s inner city. Through expert-led workshops and mentorship, we are helping participants turn ambition into action and build brighter futures.”

Fionn Crowley, Chair of Avolon’s CARE Committee, commented:

“The programme is an initiative we are proud to support. It equips participants with the practical skills required to pursue the bold step of launching their own business. Avolon itself began 15 years ago and has grown into one of the world’s leading aircraft lessors, so we are delighted to celebrate these young entrepreneurs at the start of their journey.”