31 August, 2016

Unique Entrepreneurial Summer Camp in CIT for Enthusiastic Teenagers

A fun and intensive summer camp has just come to an end in Cork Institute of Technology that immersed a group of teenagers in to the world of entrepreneurship. The camp, now in its fifth year, is aimed at 14 to 16 year old students from various schools across Cork City and County. Gaining in popularity over the years, this year’s camp has attracted participants from as far away as Canada.

The week-long enterprise camp, hosted by the Hincks Centre for Entrepreneurship Excellence in CIT, took place in the Rubicon Centre, the on-campus innovation centre, providing the teens with an insight into the life of an entrepreneur in a busy and inspiring entrepreneurial environment.

The annual enterprise camp serves as an exciting place for the teens to meet entrepreneurs, both at very early stages and more experienced. The groups are given the opportunity to be creative, explore opportunities, share ideas and build connections within CIT and with each other.

A series of guest speakers along with frequent visits from the on-site start-ups offered inspiration and motivation to consider taking the chance and starting their own ventures. Young entrepreneur, Alex Musgrave, from Dog Day Media who started his successful business as a full-time student, impressed the teens with his modern and fun animations and video.

Camp participants learned the value of leadership and teamwork skills from business leader Jim Barry of the Barry Group and completed practical work on generating business ideas, researching and understanding the market from experienced CIT lecturers. A visit to a local innovative company allowed the group to see real innovation and creativity in action in a bustling business environment.

Students worked together learning how to think, plan, and act like entrepreneurs to develop their business ideas throughout the week. An advisory session for funding start-up business ideas was provided by the camp sponsor, Bank of Ireland. Business ideas from the teens included: robotic pets, an explainer App for sick kids, a biscuit dunking filter, smart responsive sportswear and storage solutions for busy shoppers.

The energetic week culminated with groups putting their business ideas to the test by pitching their idea to a panel of judges on the final day. Certificates were awarded to all of the participants by Dr Brendan Murphy, president of CIT, on the final day of the camp.

CIT is at the forefront of entrepreneurship education and training in the region and is ideally placed to host this unique Enterprise Camp. According to Dr Breda Kenny, Head of Hincks Centre for Entrepreneurship Excellence, “entrepreneurship education empowers students and young people to make well-informed decisions about their future, whether they choose to become entrepreneurs or not. Our camp participants are encouraged to discover and value their own assets and skills, such as: time, talent, attitude, energy and unique knowledge of their local market. They are encouraged to use these assets and skills to be entrepreneurial and/or an entrepreneur to make money and/or make a difference in their communities”.

Numerous participants will continue to engage with the entrepreneurial network in CIT as they progress through their school years, whether it is for work experience opportunities or advice on their transition year companies.