‘Eco Reroute’ Announced as Winner of the 15th BT Young Scientist Business Bootcamp at NovaUCD
‘Eco Reroute’ a project that examines the bus routes at a local school to see whether they are operating in the most efficient way has been announced as the winner of the BT Young Scientist Business Bootcamp 2024.
Now in its 15th year, the Bootcamp is delivered by BT Ireland in partnership with NovaUCD, to support BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE) finalists with developing their project ideas into commercial enterprises under the guidance of BTYSTE alumni, BT Ireland mentors, and expert judges.
The winning project developed by Ava Gaffney, a 4th year student from Ballinamore Community School, Co. Leitrim, was originally developed as an entry in BTYSTE 2024 and examines the local bus routes to school to see whether or not they are operating in the most efficient way.
Members of the winning group also included; Alec Hannan, a 5th year student from Gonzaga College, Dublin, Caragh Killeen, a 6th year student from St Joseph’s Community College, Co. Clare, and Séan Murphy, a 4th year student from Colaiste Mhuire, Co. Westmeath.
In addition Harry O’Leary, a 5th year student from Gonzaga College, Dublin has been named as ‘Best Individual’ at the BT Young Scientist Business Bootcamp 2024.
Pictured is Harry O’Leary, named as ‘Best Individual’ at the BT Young Scientist Business Bootcamp 2024.
The 4-day BT Young Scientist Business Bootcamp involved 26 students representing 10 counties, from across the island of Ireland. The participants were shortlisted from the prize winners at BTYSTE 2024, with six projects selected from the exhibition for the students to work on and develop at Bootcamp. The students engaged in an intensive programme that included workshops on business development, marketing and commercialisation.
They also had the opportunity to hear from BTYSTE alumni who have launched successful enterprises. On the final day the students pitched their project to expert panel of judges who volunteered their time.
Video highlights of the 2024 BT Young Scientist Bootcamp at NovaUCD
Shay Walsh, Managing Director, BT Ireland, which organises the Bootcamp, said, “Now in its 15th year, the BT Young Scientist Business Bootcamp provides finalists at the exhibition with the skills and insights to encourage them to turn their projects into commercial enterprises.
As the demand for STEM skills continue to grow each year, we know that the skills and advice that the students receive here will be instrumental in the development of Ireland’s future workforce, ensuring that Ireland continues to drive innovation as a market leader.”
Shay Walsh, Managing Director, BT Ireland, members of the 'Eco Reroute' winning team; Alec Hannan, Ava Gaffney, Sean Murphy and Caragh Killeen with Professor Pat Guiry, UCD School of Chemistry, and Chair of the Young Scientist Charitable Trust
Professor Pat Guiry, Director of the Centre for Synthesis and Chemical Biology in the UCD School of Chemistry, and Chair of the Young Scientist Charitable Trust said, “We were absolutely thrilled to host the students from the BT Young Scientist Business Bootcamp here at NovaUCD this week. NovaUCD is a hub for new ventures and entrepreneurs, making it a very fitting location for the next generation of future entrepreneurs to develop their project ideas into commercial enterprises.
I would like to extend my congratulations to the winners, and all those who took part, and wish them well as they continue throughout their education, and with their future careers.”
Judges this year included Shay Walsh, Managing Director of BT Ireland, Dr Tony Scott, co-founder of the BTYSTE, Catherine Howard, Vice-President, Technology, IDA Ireland, and Brian O’Donovan, Work and Technology Correspondent, RTÉ.
Since the Bootcamp began, several participants have gone on to become successful entrepreneurs, including Protex AI, betterexaminations.ie, and Evervault.
Ends
8 March 2024
For further information contact contact Micéal Whelan, Communications and Media Relations Manager, UCD Research and Innovation, e: miceal.whelan@ucd.ie or or Erica Brown/Áine O’Boyle, Teneo, e: btyste@teneo.com
Editors Notes
The BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition is designed to raise schools’ engagement in the critical subjects of science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM). The Exhibition calls upon students aged 12-19 years from all over the island of Ireland to showcase innovative science and technology projects. In 2022, the Exhibition reached almost 8 million visitors around the world through its virtual portal. The BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition is supported by valued partners including the Department of Education, Analog Devices, Amgen, Stripe, and RTÉ. www.btyoungscientist.com.
BT Group is the UK’s leading provider of fixed and mobile telecommunications and related secure digital products, solutions and services. We also provide managed telecommunications, security and network and IT infrastructure services to customers across 180 countries. www.bt.com/about.
NovaUCD has been nurturing and supporting high-tech start-ups with global potential since 2003. During the last two decades NovaUCD has developed an excellent and expanded infrastructure and a suite of comprehensive business support programmes, dedicated accelerators, and an ecosystem of mentors, investors and industry partners that help to nurture an enthusiastic and dynamic community of start-ups and established companies, to grow and scale on the global stage. NovaUCD was originally funded through a unique public-private partnership that included AIB; AMD; Arthur Cox; Deloitte; Enterprise Ireland; Ericsson; Goodbody and UCD. www.novaucd.ie