https://www.linkedin.com/company/uni-galway-ideaslab/?originalSubdomain=ie
https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fgalwayideaslab%2F&is_from_rleUniversity of Galway IdeasLab fosters innovation and entrepreneurship among students, staff, and industry partners. Since its inception in 2021, IdeasLab has cultivated a multidisciplinary community focused on creative thinking, empathy, and radical experimentation. We see the value and beauty of ideas and their potential to translate into tangible impact with the right support. A key feature is our focus on all Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs), ensuring that our programs meet diverse community needs. Over the past four years, startups supported by IdeasLab have raised over 37 million Euros, highlighting our program's success. Additionally, IdeasLab together with a European Consortium was successful in securing EIT HEI Initiative funding under the pilot call for the i2i project, which has developed multiple best practice materials and trained over 1,100 students, educators and start-ups across Europe Our flagship programs include CreateHER, Ireland's first creative pre-incubator for female undergraduates, and Start100, the university's first accelerator. These initiatives help participants develop essential skills and grow as leaders. We are proud to be the first Irish university in the Stanford Innovation Fellowship, offering participants access to cutting-edge entrepreneurial education. The unique Empathy Studio, the only one of its kind internationally, integrates technology and human-centered design to foster deep empathy and effective problem-solving. This innovation has attracted significant interest and funding, including support for the Empathy Detectives project. IdeasLab's impact is recognized through awards like the Best Entrepreneurial University by UIIN and the EUA ENLIGHT Teaching and Learning Award. As the only Irish university with EU EntreComp Champion status, we actively incorporate this framework into our programs. With over 7000 engagements annually and partnerships with more than 60 academic and industry partners, IdeasLab is a catalyst for change, empowering the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs.
Finalist
Emerging Innovation and Entrepreneurship Activators of the Year Award
University of Galway IdeasLab
Finalist of the Emerging Innovation and Entrepreneurship Activators of the Year Award
University of Galway - Ireland (Republic)
"Empowering tomorrow’s innovators today "
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Summary
Key People
Natalie Walsh
Director of Entrepreneurial Development
IdeasLab,
University of Galway
Neil Ferguson
Head of Entrepreneurial Development
IdeasLab,
University of Galway
Jenny Mullery
Head of Engagement
IdeasLab,
University of Galway
Anna Ní Fhlatharta
Marketing and Communications Manager
IdeasLab,
University of Galway
Caoimhe Walsh
Design Research Assistant
IdeasLab,
University of Galway
Acknowledgements
We are so thankful to our campus community for supporting IdeasLab, without our students and staff who support us we simply could not have achieved so much in such a short time frame. Our enterprise partners are all incredible, no ask is too big and working together with them over the past 4 years has been incredible. We are excited to build onwards and upwards.
We also acknowledge the support and funding from the Human Capital Initiative (HCI) Government of Ireland and the EIT HEI Initiative.
Images
Meet our Stanford UIF Fellows at IdeasLab; Ciaran, Sophie and Mia
Our Summer Incubator Start100 Finalists 2024 Celebrating
Our newly launched Presidents Award for Innovation and Entrepreneruship 2024. Over 120 students received the award from our President in May 2024
Meet the Hackers ! Our First co-designed Hackathon with LibertyIT in Galway City focussed on using data to create sustainable cities
Our 2024 interns at our first meet up of 2024 !. Our interns work as part of our extended team across campus promoting and supporting entrepreneurship and innovation
Space as a co-facilitator! Earlier in 2024 we launched our new innovation space with the support of our President and Nikki Veselska an incredible social innovator student in University of Galway
When Finn Met Simon! Our Taoiseach(Prime Minister) Simon Harris meeting Finn our Empathy Baby with Dr Natalie Walsh, Director of Entrepreneurial Development.
Empowering Female Founders ! Our IWD Day event showcasing our #CreateHER female Innovation and entrepreneurship programme with Emer O'Neil(author and presenter)
The IdeasLab Team celebrating our new space opening on campus.
Faye and Conor pitching their prototype on the future of education and entrepreneurship at a think in day in IdeasLab
IMPACT STORY
Impacting lifes
Ciaran's journey through our Start100 incubator program demonstrates the transformative power of resilience and adaptability in entrepreneurship. As the co-founder of a startup focusing on a stroke alert system, he faced numerous challenges and pivots. Despite ultimately retiring the initial idea, his determination and problem-solving skills did not go unnoticed. John Mackey, co-founder of Mbyronics, recognized Ciaran's technical skills and innovative mindset, offering him a position in his space startup-Mbyronics..
Mbyronics, a family-run space startup based in Galway, is a unique entity in the West of Ireland. This company has recently secured substantial funding, including €17.5 million from the European Innovation Council (EIC) and €4.1 million from the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF). Their achievements highlight the potential for individuals like Ciaran to advance into significant roles within high-growth, innovative sectors.
Ciaran's transition to Mbyronics underscores the impact of our incubator programs, which consistently foster personal growth, professional development, and new opportunities. "Developing people is the cornerstone of innovation. With the right team, ideas are never in short supply," is the philosophy of IdeasLab which emphasizes the importance of nurturing talent. Ciaran's story illustrates that while ideas may evolve, the skills and resilience developed through our programs prepare students for future success, whether within their ventures or beyond.
John Mackey, an alumni of the University continues to support our programs, demonstrating a commitment to nurturing the next generation of innovators. This ongoing involvement ensures that the benefits of our incubator extend far beyond the initial entrepreneurial journey, opening doors to bigger and brighter opportunities in and out of this world.
LEARNINGS
Lessons learned
Human-Centered Design is Transformative: Our Empathy Studio, integrating human-centered design, has enhanced the relevance of our solutions across health, sustainability, and social challenges, including rioting. This approach has led to the development of two new modules for medical students, starting in 2025.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration Fuels Innovation: Our multidisciplinary team, spanning engineering, arts, science, and healthcare, has been essential for creating holistic and innovative solutions. Collaboration across disciplines fosters creativity and innovation.
Early and Inclusive Engagement: Engaging students from diverse backgrounds early in their academic journey, as seen in programs like CreateHER, has sparked passion and innovation among participants.
Advice for Aspiring Innovators:
Embrace Empathy: Prioritize understanding the needs and experiences of those you serve. Use environments like our Empathy Studio for immersive user experience.
Foster a Multidisciplinary Approach: Encourage collaboration across various fields to leverage diverse perspectives, which drive innovation.
Support and Nurture Talent: Focus on mentoring and developing individuals, as shown in programs like Start100, which nurture both talent and ideas.
Always Learn and Experiment: Continuously improve programs based on feedback and changing needs. Incorporate new technologies and embrace pilot projects.
Embrace Culture: Integrate local culture and celebrate diversity to support students as global citizens and enhance innovation.
Navigate Ambiguity: Foster a mindset that embraces ambiguity, helping students navigate and thrive in dynamic environments.
Build Strong Partnerships: Establish connections with industry, academia, and international partners to ensure programs remain relevant and effective.
FUTURE PLANS
What's coming?
Mobile Empathy Studio: We are launching a mobile version of our Empathy Studio to deliver immersive, human-centered design experiences across various communities, making empathy-driven innovation more accessible.
Innovation Communication through Improv: We are developing content using improvisation techniques to enhance innovation communication skills. This initiative will help students develop empathy and convey ideas creatively and persuasively.
Support for Student Entrepreneurs: Our new programs will offer advanced support and mentorship to students who already have companies, helping them scale their ventures successfully.
Creativity and the OECD Skills Strategy: In line with the OECD Skills Strategy for Ireland, we are introducing "Creativity Circuit" training to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation skills in students.
European and International Partnerships: We will continue strengthening our global partnerships, providing students with broader opportunities and insights into innovation.
Sustainability Initiatives: Sustainability is a key focus, with eco-friendly practices in the mobile empathy studio and green innovation challenges to promote responsible innovation.
Technology Integration: We plan to integrate emerging technologies such as AI, AR, and VR into our programs, enhancing learning and preparing students for the future of innovation.
Community Engagement: Engaging with local communities and stakeholders, we aim to foster a culture of innovation beyond the university, ensuring our initiatives have a broader societal impact.
Social Innovation Programs: We are expanding social innovation programs to empower students to address societal challenges and create positive social impacts.
Metrics and Evaluation: We will implement specific metrics and evaluation methods to measure the success and impact of these initiatives, ensuring continuous improvement and accountability.
