10 Things About the 2024 Ideas Academy That Made Us Smile

10 Things About the 2024 Ideas Academy That Made Us Smile

1. Watching Ideas Come to Life

We supported 30 projects that are dedicated to solving a social problem in Ireland. These projects have now graduated from the Ideas Academy equipped with a new set of entrepreneurial skills and access to a community of like-minded change makers. They put in the time and engagement over the 3-month long Ideas Academy, they tested and trialed new ways of approaching the social problem, have been open about their challenges and learnings and have worked together as a team. We are so proud of each and every one of them for standing up for what they believe in and trying to make a positive difference in Ireland today.

2. The Energy at Richmond Barracks

We held the graduation ceremony at the historic Richmond Barracks – the energy in the room was electric, and it was wonderful to see everyone come together in such a meaningful setting.

3. Support from Bank of America

Bank of America’s unwavering support since 2018 has been invaluable. Simon Cahill, Managing Director at Bank of America shared his congratulations with the participants at the graduation event.

4. The Power of Dosen

Introducing this learning platform was a game-changer for increasing knowledge, collaboration and sharing resources. Cian from Dosen joined us at the event and shared insights into how the participants interacted with the platform during the programme.

5. Building a Community

The sense of community that developed among the participants was heartwarming. They not only learned from each other but also formed lasting bonds, supporting one another on their journeys. Éabha Harper McKeever commented on how impressed and touched she was by the amount of support provided to each other by the participants on the programme this year.

6. Ambition for the future

The graduates now have the opportunity to pitch for a share of €25,000 in seed funding. There’s also some places on our follow on programme – The Action Lab. The Ideas Academy allowed each participant to delve into what kind of social impact they would like to create in the future and to create a robust plan for piloting their ideas.

7. The Support of Alumni

Our Social Entrepreneurs Ireland alumni played a crucial role in mentoring and guiding this year’s cohort. Their willingness to share their experiences and insights made a big difference, and their generosity brought smiles to everyone involved. We would like to say a special thank you to Tracy Keogh, Kim MacKenzie-Doyle, Paula Byrne, Tristan Casson Rennie, Vike Gailite, Fiona O’Neill and all of our alumni who reviewed applications this year. Your insights and advice to the participants on this year’s programme have been invaluable and so appreciated.

8. Positive Feedback from Participants

Hearing that 100% of participants felt the Ideas Academy helped them move their projects forward was incredibly rewarding and we’re delighted that 100% agree that the programme helped them with refining their idea into a solution that best addresses the problem. Knowing that our programme had a tangible impact on their growth and development made all our efforts worthwhile.

9. Skill Development

Seeing 96% of participants gain new skills and attributes through the programme was fantastic and 100% are using the things they learned on the programme. Over several core learning days, participants were be supported to deepen their understanding of the problem they’ve identified, refine their solution, and develop an action plan to pilot their idea post-programme. It’s amazing to see how much everyone grew in such a short time.

10. Celebrating Success Together

Finally, the graduation ceremony itself was a joyous occasion. Celebrating the achievements of our graduates and looking forward to their future successes was a fitting end to an incredible journey. Now in our 20th year, it is still as special as ever to celebrate the achievements of a new cohort of social entrepreneurs.

Looking Ahead

As we celebrate these wonderful moments, we’re also excited about the future. The Ideas Academy continues to evolve, and we’re eager to support even more social entrepreneurs in making a positive impact. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey—we couldn’t do it without you!

Thank you to Bank Of America and our incredible community of supporters for joining us in empowering these changemakers as they embark on their journey of social entrepreneurship. Your support makes all the difference! 💐