Open Incubator: Next-generation innovation platform launched at Trinity College Dublin

Tangent, Trinity College Dublin’s Ideas Workspace, today announced the launch of the Open Incubator.

Open Incubator empowers Ireland to address real world global challenges by turning social and commercial business ideas into entrepreneurial ventures. This unique free-to-use online platform links up like-minded innovators to solve world problems.

It has been developed in response to strong demand for a centralised innovation community from participants in Tangent’s national innovation ecosystem. True to its name, the platform is open anyone with an innovation mindset across Ireland, not just to third level students.

Launched by Tangent’s innovation partner Bank of Ireland, the pioneering platform connects people with diverse perspectives to join forces, exchange knowledge, and find solutions to global challenges such as climate sustainability, creative arts and artificial intelligence.  Ultimately all members have an opportunity to be selected for a Tangent Start-Up Showcase that connects ground-breaking ventures with pathways to future opportunities.

Speaking at the launch, Trinity Provost Linda Doyle said: "Tangent’s work has been pivotal in securing Trinity’s position as European leader in student entrepreneurship, and the Open Incubator really is an extension of this great work and pedigree. This dynamic entrepreneurial network will further Trinity’s reach and consolidate its innovation efforts by creating a digital platform for the best and brightest innovators Ireland has to offer."

Francesca McDonagh, Group CEO Bank of Ireland, added: "Bank of Ireland has strongly supported the work of Tangent at Trinity College, and I’m delighted to see the launch of this new initiative – Open Incubator. As we look to a post-COVID future that must be radically different and more sustainable, fostering more collaboration and the generation of new ideas about how we work, live, learn and do business is more important than ever. I hope that Tangent and Open Incubator can play a strong role in finding the solutions we need to some of the pressing challenges we face today."

Ken Finnegan, CEO of Tangent, said: "Tangent’s Open Incubator combines best practice in start-up community development to create an accessible, adaptable, and scalable innovation model that puts students first. It will empower them to collaborate on shared passions and develop solutions at their own pace while leveraging peer-to-peer support. This platform is a game changer for Irish student entrepreneurship. I would like to thank the Bank for its unwavering support of all that Tangent does to further the next generation of Irish innovators."

For more information on the Open Incubator, visit:

www.tcd.ie/tangent/accelerators/open_incubator

This article was first published on November 4 by Trinity College Dublin.