university of galway Archives

Workshop:Personal Branding

April 23, 2024

This morning I had the opportunity to give a workshop with female founders in the health space from Spain, Germany, Bulgaria, The Netherlands, Poland and Ireland on Personal Branding as part of an EIT Health programme: for a Women Entrepreneurial Bootcamp (WEB).

Thank you to Jenny Mullery who facilitates this from University of Galway IdeasLab for bringing me on board.

Building your brand and your communication style is an area I am very passionate about. Life is all about people and relationships, so why not make it easier, more engaging and fun.

We achieve so much when we listen to understand and appreciate peoples point of view. I also worked in the Value of critical thinking. To me it means being curious and leads to better decision making, self reflection,the ability to identify misinformation and build creative problem solving skills.

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Celebrating Belonging with University of Galway’s IdeasLab

March 11, 2024

University of Galway’s IdeasLab celebrated International Women’s Day with an event, themed ‘Belonging,’ which brought together a diverse lineup of speakers and panellists to highlight the unique experiences and journeys of women in Ireland, as well as to promote inclusivity and equality.

08/03/2024 repro free: Celebrating Belonging on International Women’s Day: University of Galway’s IdeasLab Hosts Empowering Event The University of Galway’s IdeasLab celebrated International Women’s Day with a special event in the heart of Galway City in the Druid Theatre. The event, themed “Belonging,” brought together a diverse lineup of speakers and panelists to highlight the unique experiences and journeys of women in Ireland, as well as to promote inclusivity and equality. Keynote speaker Emer O’Neill, a well-known presenter and advocate, led an engaging discussion with a panel of female students from IdeasLab’s CreateHER programme. The panel delved into the multifaceted experiences of women in Ireland, inspiring thought-provoking conversations and reflections. The event also featured the comedic stylings of Áine Gallagher, bringing laughter and light-heartedness to the occasion. Dr. Helen Maher, Vice President for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion at the University of Galway shared her insights and perspectives on fostering inclusivity and equality in higher education and the important role we have in society for society. The event marked the final celebration of the CreateHERprogramme, a pioneering initiative that empowers and supports female undergraduate students to explore and consider innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership in their personal and professional lives. The programme achieves this through round table workshops, mentorship, and networking opportunities, which has since its launch early in 2022,created a vibrant community of empowered and skilled future female leaders and innovators. The participants involved in the CreateHER programme also have the unique opportunity to shadow and learn from influential female leaders in various industries, underscoring the programme’s commitment to providing practical guidance and real-world experience from all sectors across our city and region. The message is that by empowering and su

Keynote speaker Emer O’Neill, a well-known presenter and advocate, led an engaging discussion with a panel of female students from IdeasLab’s CreateHER programme. The panel delved into the multifaceted experiences of women in Ireland, inspiring thought-provoking conversations, and reflections.

The event also featured the comedic stylings of Áine Gallagher, bringing laughter and light-heartedness to the occasion. Dr. Helen Maher, Vice President for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion at the University of Galway shared her insights and perspectives on fostering inclusivity and equality in higher education and the important role we have in society for society.

The event marked the final celebration of the CreateHER programme, a pioneering initiative that empowers and supports female undergraduate students to explore and consider innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership in their personal and professional lives. The programme achieves this through round table workshops, mentorship, and networking opportunities, which has since its launch early in 2022, created a vibrant community of empowered and skilled future female leaders and innovators.

The participants involved in the CreateHER programme also have the unique opportunity to shadow and learn from influential female leaders in various industries, underscoring the programme’s commitment to providing practical guidance and real-world experience from all sectors across our city and region.

08/03/2024 repro free: Áine Gallagher, Comedian Celebrating Belonging on International Women’s Day: University of Galway’s IdeasLab Hosts Empowering Event The University of Galway’s IdeasLab celebrated International Women’s Day with a special event in the heart of Galway City in the Druid Theatre. The event, themed “Belonging,” brought together a diverse lineup of speakers and panelists to highlight the unique experiences and journeys of women in Ireland, as well as to promote inclusivity and equality. Keynote speaker Emer O’Neill, a well-known presenter and advocate, led an engaging discussion with a panel of female students from IdeasLab’s CreateHER programme. The panel delved into the multifaceted experiences of women in Ireland, inspiring thought-provoking conversations and reflections. The event also featured the comedic stylings of Áine Gallagher, bringing laughter and light-heartedness to the occasion. Dr. Helen Maher, Vice President for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion at the University of Galway shared her insights and perspectives on fostering inclusivity and equality in higher education and the important role we have in society for society. The event marked the final celebration of the CreateHERprogramme, a pioneering initiative that empowers and supports female undergraduate students to explore and consider innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership in their personal and professional lives. The programme achieves this through round table workshops, mentorship, and networking opportunities, which has since its launch early in 2022,created a vibrant community of empowered and skilled future female leaders and innovators. The participants involved in the CreateHER programme also have the unique opportunity to shadow and learn from influential female leaders in various industries, underscoring the programme’s commitment to providing practical guidance and real-world experience from all sectors across our city and region. The message i

The message is that by empowering and supporting each other as women from diverse backgrounds and experiences, these young women will build a network of support that will grow with them as they progress in life. A belief that reaffirms the University of Galway’s commitment to nurturing a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment for all.

Jenny Mullery, Head of Engagement for IdeasLab said, “This is our 3rd iteration of CreateHer. Taking the feedback from the participants and contributors, the programme is growing and going from strength to strength. Providing undergraduates with the opportunity to connect with themselves, industry and the community is vital to give them the confidence to be the innovators and leaders in their chosen fields.

Speaking of the event theme and the CreateHER programme, Emer O’Neill said, “Ní neart go cur le chéile, with unity comes strength and more than ever before we need to remind each other to be kind and share love and positivity”.

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University of Galway IdeasLab Stanford University Innovation Fellowship

December 4, 2023

University of Galway IdeasLab students have joined with students from across 67 educational institutes in 15 countries to become University Innovation Fellows. The University Innovation Fellows (UIF) program empowers students to become agents of change at their universities.

Fellows work to ensure that all students gain the attitudes, skills and knowledge required to navigate a complex world and build the future. These student leaders from schools around the globe create opportunities to help their peers build the creative confidence, agency, and entrepreneurial mindset needed to address global challenges. Fellows create student innovation spaces, start entrepreneurship organizations, facilitate experiential workshops, work with the university community to develop new courses, and much more.

– Mia Shanley-Brookes, BSc Medicinal Chemistry, 2024

– Sophie Spellissy, Computer Science and Information Technology, 2025

– Ciaran Cox, Biomedical Engineering, 2028

The inaugural fellows in University of Galway are Mia Shanley Brookes (Medicinal Chemistry, 2024), Sophie Spellissy (Computer Science and Information Technology, 2025) and Ciaran Cox (Biomedical Engineering, 2028). Mia, Sophie and Ciaran are working as advocates for lasting institutional change with university leaders, lending the much-needed student voice to the conversations about the future of higher education and entrepreneurship.

The students participated in a 6-week training experience during which they learned to analyse their campus ecosystems and identify opportunities for change related to innovation, entrepreneurship, design thinking, and creativity. They worked to understand the needs of peers on the University campus and apply this new knowledge and perspective to design new educational opportunities for their peers. In early 2024 the student team will prototype a new programme that focuses on shadowing start-ups and early stage companies to better understand how firms work and what types of roles students may wish to undertake once they are finished university and moving onto their next chapter.

The Fellows programme is run by Stanford University’s Hasso Plattner Institute of Design (d. School). With the addition of the new Fellows, the programme has trained more than 3,100 students since its creation. Leticia Britos Cavagnaro, Co-Director of the University Innovation Fellows programme ‘Fellows Mia, Sophie and Ciaran have developed new ways to help students at the University of Galway enhance their innovation skills, connect their learning with real-world applications, and gain access to essential resources. We’re so proud of the hard work they’ve done already, and we’re excited to see the impact they continue to have’.

Dr Natalie Walsh a Faculty Innovation Fellow with Stanford University’s Hasso Plattner Institute of Design (d.school) and the Director of Entrepreneurial Development in the University of Galway stated that ‘We are delighted to join the University Innovation Fellowship community and support our students to design new experiences that support all students to develop the skills and mindsets necessary to navigate these uncertain times and to shape the future they want to see. The partnership aligns with our values of excellence and sustainability, and we are excited to launch a new programme designed and delivered by Mia, Ciaran and Sophie in early 2024’.

University of Galway is the only Irish University who have taken part in the UIF programme. A core theme of the programme supports responsible futuring and the team look forward to travelling to the University of Twente in 2024 to build skills and expertise and connect in person with the UIF community of over 2,000 faculty and students from across the globe.

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University of Galway unveils President’s Award for Innovation and Entrepreneurship to foster student excellence

December 4, 2023

University of Galway President, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh has launched the newly introduced President’s Award for Innovation and Entrepreneurship that recognises and celebrates the achievements of University of Galway students in the realms of entrepreneurship and innovation.

It was officially launched as he formally opened the IdeasLab Space on campus, marking the institution’s commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship among its student body. IdeasLab is University of Galway’s student innovation hub. It is an open collaborative space designed to enable students to explore ideas and personalise their entrepreneurial and innovative skillset to succeed in the complex world beyond university.

The award features three tiers of achievement, namely Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Students who complete one IdeasLab programme during their degree are eligible for the Bronze tier, while those who successfully complete two programmes earn the Silver tier. The highest honour, the Gold tier, is reserved for students who undertake more than two programmes or complete the IdeasLab’s summer incubator programme ‘Start100’.

The President’s Award for Innovation and Entrepreneurship has been designed to acknowledge the pivotal role that student-driven innovation and entrepreneurship play in shaping Ireland’s future. By providing a structured framework for the development of these skills, the University aims to enhance the overall student experience and prepare its graduates for industry.

“We believe that students who develop innovative thinking and entrepreneurial skills play a crucial role in enriching their communities, advancing knowledge, and building a good society,” said Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh. “The President’s Award for Innovation and Entrepreneurship reflects our commitment to cultivating our students’ capacities to become agents and architects of positive change and aligns with our values and our commitment to investing in the social, economic and intellectual development of our communities, nationally and internationally.”

The formal opening of the IdeasLab Space symbolises the University’s dedication to creating an environment that nurtures creativity, collaboration, and transformative ideas. This space is a vibrant hub where students can bring their innovative concepts to life, collaborate with like-minded peers, and receive mentorship from industry experts.

Natalie Walsh, Director of Entrepreneurial Development stated that ‘Today is a milestone moment for innovation in our university as we formally launch our student innovation space IdeasLab and our new President’s Award for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The space and new awards programme demonstrate our commitment to empowering students as catalysts for positive change and equip them with the skills and competences to succeed in their futures’. For more information go to www.universityofgalway.ie/ideaslab.

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University of Galway IdeasLab Start100 programme celebrates student entrepreneurs

July 7, 2023

LambCam were named overall winners with Glow by Chlo Cosmetics recognised as the ‘One to Watch’

LambCam, a software to help farmers monitor sheep’s behaviour during lambing season, has been named the winner of the University of Galway IdeasLab’s 2023 Start100 student entrepreneurship programme University of Galway.

The highly acclaimed Start100 programme, showcased the innovative ideas of 12 teams of aspiring student entrepreneurs. The final event saw teams pitch their unique ideas to an expert panel of judges from academia, research, industry, and enterprise at a special showcase event on campus in front of an audience of students, mentors, enterprise and University of Galway staff.

The winning entry of the 2023 Start100 programme was LambCam securing €5,000 in funding. Glow by Chlo Cosmetics were recognised with the ‘One to Watch’ award, affirming their potential for future success.

The Start100 programme is an intensive six-week programme run out of University of Galway’s IdeasLab – the student innovation hub, open to all disciplines, located at the heart of the campus. Start100 connects students into a thriving community of innovators and entrepreneurs across Ireland and culminates at this showcase, where each team presents their ideas.

This year, the varied group of student entrepreneurs had ideas ranging from an app designed to improve your rowing capabilities to beauty and skincare products.

Teams underwent a transformative entrepreneurial journey, nurturing their ideas and focusing on how to best leverage their network and funding opportunities for future success. With the guidance and support of mentors, speakers and the vibrant startup ecosystem in Galway and across the country, the students developed and validated their business models, developed their networking skills and built a peer-to-peer community to support one another to develop and grow.

Professor Pól Ó Dochartaigh, University of Galway Deputy President and Registrar, said: “University of Galway is committed to transforming our values of excellence, respect, sustainability and openness into actions and deeds. Today we witnessed that first hand through our students in their pursuit of societal impact through enterprising ideas. The University, in partnership with our business community, plays a crucial role in nurturing their growth and supporting our people and our planet and we are incredibly proud of our student entrepreneurs.”

Dr Natalie Walsh, Director of Entrepreneurial Development at University of Galway, said: “We are excited to see a surge in interest in entrepreneurship across our campus. The Start100 teams have truly impressed us with their exceptional quality and innovative ideas, serving as a testament to the remarkable success of the programme. We are committed to leveraging our achievements and exploring new collaborative partnerships to maximize opportunities for our student entrepreneurs.”

The judging panel for the final event included: University of Galway Vice-President Engagement Dr Paul Dodd; Chief Executive of Complete Laboratory Solutions (CLS) and scientist Evelyn O’Toole: one of Ireland’s leading financial advisors and internationally recognised Certified Financial Planner Paul Merriman; one of the Top 100 Women in STEM in Ireland and Partner at Atlantic Bridge – Kauffman Fellow Helen McBreen; and Aerogen Chief Executive and founder John Power.

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Award winning entrepreneurial program kicks off at University of Galway

June 14, 2023

IdeasLab Start100 to show impact that can happen in just 100 days

University of Galway IdeasLab has taken home gold for their Start100 Program in the Entrepreneurship at universities category at the University Industry Innovation Network (UIIN) Conference held earlier this month in Budapest. IdeasLab’s Start100 Program which supports entrepreneurial students to take their idea to impact in 100 days was acknowledged for its great emphasis on peer-to-peer learning and support, and showcases stories from across the entrepreneurial spectrum to create relatable and achievable role models.

Based in the heart of University of Galway campus, IdeasLab are back with their six-week student incubator programme, Start100. Now in its second year, this year there are 12 teams who are embarking on an entrepreneurial journey with the aim of taking their innovative idea to the next step.

‘Within a year Start100 has been embraced by our entire ecosystem and the support we are receiving from mentors, judges and our community is a testament to the importance of nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship in Universities. This year we have increased our number of projects to 12 based on the huge demand for Start100 from our incredible students. We have ideas that span digital health and sports, skincare, AI, agriculture and sustainability. We are looking forward to showcasing our entrepreneurs at our demo day on the 29^th of June’ Dr Natalie Walsh, Director of Entrepreneurial Development, University of Galway.

Throughout the programme Start100 teams will have the chance to hone their business model and connect into a vibrant startup ecosystem. Start100 will link students with a bank of University of Galway Alumni, mentors, and speakers to inspire, advise and support the next generation of entrepreneurs.

This programme also connects students into a thriving community of innovators and entrepreneurs across Ireland. This year, the varied group of student entrepreneurs have ideas ranging- from an app designed to improve your rowing capabilities to beauty and skincare products.

The programme began in May, and will culminate on June 29th, 2023, where the participants will showcase and pitch their business ideas to a panel of expert judges. Each team participating will receive funding of €4,000 to aid them in the development of their innovative idea. The overall winning team of the Start100 programme will receive a further €5,000, and the runners-up will receive a further €1,000. AskPaul.ie is sponsoring the overall prize fund of €6,000 for the final event this year.

Within Start100 the judges play a crucial role in selecting the overall winner and runners-up of the Start100 programme. The judges are experts in their respective fields, with a wealth of experience in entrepreneurship, innovation, and venture capital.

The Judges for IdeasLab’s Start100 Summer Accelerator programme include VP for Engagement with the University of Galway Paul Dodd, CEO of Complete Laboratory Solutions (CLS) and scientist, Evelyn O’Toole, One of Ireland’s leading financial advisors and internationally recognised CFP® (Certified Financial Planner), Paul Merriman CFP®, One of the Top 100 Women in STEM in Ireland, Partner at Atlantic Bridge – Kauffman Fellow Helen McBreen and Aerogen CEO and founder John Power.

Start100 is funded by the Government of Ireland Human Capital initiative

For more on IdeasLab and Start100 teams for 2023 check out https://www.universityofgalway.ie/ideaslab/.

-ends-

More on Start100:

Start100 supports entrepreneurial teams to take their idea to impact in 100 days. The program revolves around five key pillars:

• Networking (peer-to-peer and external)

• Matched mentorship

• Workshops (pitching, financial literacy, introduction to local ecosystem)

• Support (from program hosts and one another)

• Storytelling (from existing entrepreneurial role models).

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Communication Strategy for IdeasLab University of Galway

March 27, 2023

Building our community within and outside the University of Galway has been priority for IdeasLab over the past 12months. Lisa has supported us in understanding how important our mission, vison and communications are in this process. Understanding these elements from the unit perspective but also how our personal profiles impact on our community has been insightful. Lisa has successfully helped us grow and connect with a broad community in Galway city and beyond and we are now equipped to nurture and grow this community even further in the next 12 months.

Jenny Mullery University of Galway IdeasLab

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MC and Moderator for IdeasLab IWD CreateHER event 2023

March 27, 2023

Lisa Regan recently MC’d our CreateHER finale in the Druid Theatre in Galway city. Her commitment to the event from the outset was evident and she supported us in the venue selection to ensure the right atmosphere, worked with us on running order, theme and stage set up. Lisa captured the essence and feel of the event we were trying hold. Through her research, thoughtful questions and inclusive style she brought our vision to life, for what was a night us and the audience will remember for a long time. Although Lisa had one role on the night she gave so much more to the entire event than we could have asked for.

Jenny Mullery University of Galway IdeasLab

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Business Mentorship program with IdeasLab Scrunch UP

October 4, 2022

Lisa mentored me as part of a business start-up programme in NUIG. She brings an electric energy to every room she walks in. She is such a great person to bounce ideas off. Equally to hype you up and put you straight!! I was very lucky to work with her!! Cian Coyne Student at University of Galway, IdeasLab member and Scrunch Up Founder.