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Master’s Students support Local Enterprises at ENFUSE Finals 2023

ENFUSE Finals 2023

Master’s Students support Local Enterprises at ENFUSE Finals 2023

10 student teams competed in this year’s finals by pitching to expert industry judges on the plans they produced. The top 10 teams from Technological University Dublin (TUD), Dublin City University (DCU), National College of Ireland (NCI), University College Dublin (UCD), Trinity College Dublin (TCD), were shortlisted from 57 other teams that participated in ENFUSE this year.  As part of their master’s programme, each team supported a local enterprise in Dublin by sharing ideas, knowledge and creating a bespoke plan to help the enterprise innovate. The top 3 teams won specialist mentoring and training supports from the Local Enterprise Office Dublin City and supports from the Dublin Regional Skills Forum for their allocated enterprises along with prizes from Dublin Place Brand. The first place team will also now be named on the specially commissioned ENFUSE trophy which will be hosted by their university DCU for the coming year.  

ENFUSE 2023 – Top 3 Teams were:

1st Place - Students: Roisin Ní Aibhistín, Gearoidín Mhic Mhathúna, Dearbháile Ní Fhionaill, Aoibheann Uí Dhochartaigh. Enterprise: POTA Cafe. Lecturer: Dr Emer Ní Bhrádaigh. University: Dublin City University.

2nd Place - Students: Sophie Wood, Amit Moreshwarrao Baporikar, Shane Bresnan, Sneha Raji Jacob, Pooja Panikumar, Akshay Pramod Shinde. Enterprise: XO Tile. Lecturer: Joe Houghton. University: University College Dublin.

3rd Place - Students: Maria-Jasmine Adekanmbi, Emmanuelle Brucci, Aditya Dubey, Mariana Vasutova. Enterprise: Crann. Lecturer: Dr Jennifer Lawlor, Dr Deirdre Quinn, Dr Kevin Griffin. University: Technological University Dublin.

 

Speaking on the night of awards, Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation Dara Calleary said: 

“Congratulations to all involved in this year’s ENFUSE finals. Success is often predicated on innovation and collaboration. The ENFUSE programme enables just that, bringing together students, businesses and social enterprises, and local stakeholders to better understand the challenges and fosters greater collaboration to develop solutions. As part of ENFUSE, businesses and social enterprises benefit from access to research and new ideas, students benefit from an enhanced learning experience and the ecosystem benefits through improved networking, collaboration and knowledge exchange.”

Cllr Claire Byrne commented: “ENFUSE brings together enterprises and students, inspiring and fusing both parties for mutual benefit. This year, 57 enterprises have received tangible plans to help them innovate, address challenges and develop opportunities while 301 students developed their skills and learning."

Greg Swift, head of LEO Dublin City, added that the competition allow the LEO to "tangibly support local enterprises and also promote the benefits of hiring graduate students who are well placed to support the digital and green transitions, amongst other challenges a business may face. Availing of the GradStart or other LEO grants can assist businesses to hire graduates in these or other areas where they may lack specific skills and expertise.”

The other 7 ENFUSE 2023 Finalist Teams that pitched on the night were:

  1. Hand Drawn Books. Lecturer: Jennifer McDonnell. University: Technological University Dublin.
  2. Shareclub. Lecturer: Dr Sarah Strange. University: Technological University Dublin.
  3.  Energy Elephant. Lecturer: Dr Anu Sahni, Michael Bradford. University: National College of Ireland.
  4. EPN Consulting Research. Lecturer: Dr Anu Sahni, Michael Bradford. University: National College of Ireland.
  5. Siest Sleep. Lecturer: Dr Peter Robbins. University: Dublin City University.
  6.  The Bodyful. Lecturer: Dr Daire Hooper. University: Technological University Dublin.
  7. Adelle Hickey / Hearts of Ireland. Lecturer: Edel Foley. University: Technological University Dublin.

Further Information

To find out more, please visit: ENFUSE  

For information on other supports to help start / grow enterprises in Dublin, please visit: Local Enterprise Office Dublin City

Special thanks to all the participant local enterprises / social enterprises, TU Dublin, DCU, NCI, UCD, TCD students and lecturers, project partner organisations and supporters of ENFUSE this year. 

ENFUSE is led by Dublin City Council (DCC) / Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Dublin City in collaboration with Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin); Dublin City University (DCU); National College of Ireland (NCI); University College Dublin (UCD) and Trinity College Dublin (TCD). It is supported by and operated in alignment with Dun Laoghaire Rathdown, South Dublin and Fingal County Councils and their respective Local Enterprise Offices, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER); Dublin Place Brand; the Dublin Regional Skills Forum (DRSF); Dublin Regional Enterprise Plan to 2024; Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Enterprise Ireland; GradStart and the European Year of Skills.

Project Awards

  • Public Service Innovation Fund 2020 Awardee. Department of Public Expenditure and Reform as part of the Our Public Service initiative. The funding was used to develop branding, communications and programme materials.
  • 'National Winner' European Commission - European Enterprise Promotion Awards (EEPA) 2022. Category: Supporting the Business Environment and the Digital Transition. 'Shortlisted' Overall EEPA European finalist project.
  • 'Shortlisted' Chambers Ireland - Excellence in Local Government Awards 2022. Category: Promoting Economic Development

 

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