Blog
IGNITE Start-up Spotlight: Sara Meagher and DineFlex
"We didn’t want to take the conventional PAYE route after graduation"
"We wanted to challenge ourselves and explore self-employment. IGNITE gave us the structure and support to turn that leap of faith into a real opportunity."
Some of the best entrepreneurial journeys start not with a perfect plan, but with a willingness to adapt. Meet Sara Meagher who along with Marium B. and Xuezheng Z. is a co-founder of DineFlex
The Birth of DineFlex
Initially entering IGNITE with a completely different idea, Sara and her co-founders pivoted after deep customer validation and guidance. "Through the programme’s mentorship, customer validation, and a lot of learning, we evolved into DineFlex," Sara says. DineFlex is a platform designed to help restaurants fill empty tables while offering diners more affordable, flexible dining experiences.
Seeing the Market Gap
Sara, Marium and Xuezheng noticed two major market problems:
Restaurants struggling to fill seats during quieter periods
Diners seeking affordable, flexible ways to enjoy eating out
DineFlex bridges that gap, creating real value for both restaurants and customers.
Why IGNITE?
"We didn’t want to take the conventional PAYE route after graduation," Sara says. "We wanted to challenge ourselves and explore self-employment. IGNITE gave us the structure and support to turn that leap of faith into a real opportunity."
Trends Shaping the Future of Dining
DineFlex sees two major trends:
A growing demand for flexible, value-driven dining
A shift to digital-first behaviour, where convenience matters most
"Loyalty is shifting, and convenience is king," Sara explains.
What’s Next for DineFlex?
Grow a strong subscriber base
Develop a user-friendly platform
Build strategic partnerships with restaurants to offer variety and value
Sara’s Advice for Future IGNITE Participants
"Don’t wait until you feel ready, because you never really will. Stop shuffling the cards and do what you’ve been avoiding."
Entering IGNITE with an open mind, and embracing learning and change, is what helped DineFlex succeed.
The Power of Mentorship and Community
Sara highlights the value of tough but honest mentorship:
"Mentors tell you what you probably already know deep down, but maybe don’t want to hear. And that’s exactly what you need."
Combined with a community of supportive, driven entrepreneurs, IGNITE created an environment of shared growth and real momentum.
"You don’t know who could turn into a mentor. Keep an open mind," she advises.
For more on this story contact:
Damien Mulley - Start Up Programme Manager
- Email: dmulley@ucc.ie
- Phone: 021 4905499