Ryan Academy launch 2016 UStart Student Accelerator Programme

Innovations in the technology, food, science and digital spheres dominate the 2016 UStart Student Accelerator Programme announced at DCU Ryan Academy, Citywest on Wednesday, May 25th.

Ten student start-up companies were successful in their application to win a place on the prestigious UStart Student Accelerator Programme which runs from May 25th to October 5th.

The programme, which provides mentoring, expertise and support to student start-ups enables start-ups to progress from concept stage to market prototype.

Speaking about this year’s UStart Student Accelerator Programme CEO of the Ryan Academy, Eoghan Stack said:

“The 2016 Ustart Student Accelerator Programme intake is a diverse, exciting and energetic portfolio of start-ups which have limitless potential. DCU Ryan Academy is delighted to work with this year’s UStart participants and we look forward to assisting all of them in bringing their start-up to the next level.

DCU Ryan Academy is proud to be at the fore-front of student entrepreneurship as demonstrated by our ongoing commitment to student start-up programmes and to assist the next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders to launch their products on a national and international scale.”

The full list of companies on the 2016 UStart Student Accelerator Programme are as follows:

Science Media: Emer Ní Chuanaigh and Angela Stevenson

Science Media provide the scientific community with affordable and professional video production services to bridge the gap between science and the public.

Effector: Karl O’Brien, Darren O’Reilly

Effector is a digital marketing agency that helps businesses make an impact online through website development and social media marketing.

PopUp: Cormac Kelly, Sophia Ellis

Pop-Up is a service which connects Irish SMEs who are seeking short-term rental agreements with property owners in possession of suitable vacant commercial/office premises.

WhyBuy.ie: Sean Molony, Conor Duffy, Gareth Jordan, Ciaran McNamara, Rashad Al Harazy

WhyBuy.ie is an online classifieds website for short term rentals of outdoor/sporting items. This service aims to provide an online platform which facilitates consumer to consumer rental transactions.

Tap: Daniel O’Farrell, Saoirse Allen, Stephen McSweeney, Ógie Laoire

Tap is an NFC and GPS enabled wristband that allows users to connect with each other at networking and business events.

Hitch: Oisín Hoy, Luke Scales, Shane Carter

Hitch connects commuters with drivers who are undertaking the same journey, saving money and time for the commuters and cutting costs for the drivers.

Huddl: Brian O’Rourke, Sean Byrne, Alan Farrelly

Huddl is an award-winning social transportation network that allows commuters to crowd source their commute.

Slapp: Shane Carter, Connor Bradshaw

Slapp is a time-management app aimed at students. Our mission is to make time management easier for students, while empowering marketers with powerful marketing data.

Squeazy Eazy Science: Matthew Hewston, Fergus Munday

Squeazy Eazy Science is an educational toy company all about making science fun and easy. It is a fun addictive science based challenge.

Sports Fuel: David Carey

Sports Fuel is an online e-commerce site dedicated to delivering health conveniently. Sports Fuel provides a range of health foods, fresh meat, ready-made meals and other nutritional products.