IGNITE - Start-up Supports at UCC for students and recent graduates.

IGNITE at UCC

Your Launchpad for Start-Up Success

Your Launchpad for Start-Up Success

IGNITE is UCC’s flagship, equity-free incubation programme, designed to empower recent graduates from any discipline and third-level institution across Ireland. Whether you're launching a business idea in college or refining a concept after graduation, IGNITE provides the resources, mentorship, and support you need to succeed—without taking any equity.

Our comprehensive programme equips you with tailored guidance on grant applications and investor readiness, alongside mentorship and training from industry experts to build essential entrepreneurial skills. You’ll also have access to top UCC researchers for research-backed insights and receive IP protection advice to safeguard your innovations, establishing a strong foundation for future growth.

Applications for our January 2025 programme are now closed. You can enquire about UCC IGNITE here.

Start-up Supports at UCC

IGNITE can help you at whatever stage you're at

As part of IGNITE, people have the opportunity to achieve immense growth personally but also for their business.

Elvis Seporaitis, Co-founder of Volta Robotics

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IGNITE has really helped us turned something that was just an idea into a reality. It's a good way of learning if your idea is a viable business.

Elaine Moynihan & Katie McShane, Co-founders of WiseWater Academy

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I needed support and mentorship to help to me build out my idea. The business wouldn't be where it is today without the support of IGNITE.

Danny McEnery, Founder of PrimaHealth

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IGNITE supports me and though mentorship and networking, I know a lot of people now in this area and get the chance to share my ideas.

Jerome Pan, Founder of TalentCen

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The biggest thing I found with IGNITE is coming in and being with likeminded people. I was also given the tools in the workshops that just made things easier.

Shannen O'Reilly, Co-founder of TrustDish

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We present every quarter on our progress to experienced entrepreneurs and the LEO - validating the work that we are doing is really empowering and inspires confidence in what we do.