DkIT’s Engineering Entrepreneurship students explore Ireland’s dynamic start-up ecosystem with the Regional Development Centre
As part of the programme’s hands-on learning approach, students on DkIT’s Engineering Entrepreneurship course recently participated in a class trip to the Regional Development Centre (RDC), gaining first-hand exposure to Ireland’s dynamic start-up ecosystem.
During their visit to the Regional Development Centre, the students had the opportunity to gain great exposure to the world of start-ups and innovation. During the visit, students explored funding opportunities through the Student Enterprise Inc funding programme, which supports young entrepreneurs in launching their own businesses. They also engaged with industry leaders and discovered state-of-the-art incubation facilities available for start-ups.
The students had the opportunity to gain insight from innovative companies and entrepreneurs. These included; Overhaul – A global leader in digital logistics technology and Barry O’Connor – Serial Entrepreneur & Founder of Advanced Medical Parts.
Representatives from Overhaul discussed the power of data-driven business models and real-time global tracking solutions. The visit highlighted the critical role of smart logistics, showcasing cutting-edge tracking devices used for high-value shipments across road and sea transport. Barry O’Connor shared his entrepreneurial journey, emphasising the human side of business - the importance of trust, client collaboration, and responsiveness to customer needs. Barry discussed how he scaled significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, establishing himself as a trusted industry partner. Barry also shared his experience using Innovation Vouchers and DkIT research collaborations to expand his business. He is now actively mentoring students and supporting student-led research projects.
