UCC students getting down to business

Some of the country’s most successful entrepreneurs will address students and the wider community at Innov8 Week at UCC.

The event, hosted by the university’s Entrepreneurial and Social Society, will begin today at 5pm, with businessman Bill Cullen speaking on the importance of entrepreneurship for the economy. Beginning his career selling apples from a cart on Dublin’s Moore Street, Mr Cullen built a multi-million euro empire.

On Wednesday, students will be addressed by former panellist on RTÉ’s Dragons’ Den and presidential candidate Sean Gallagher. He is the co-founder and former CEO of Ireland’s largest home technology company, Smarthomes.

Following his address, students will be invited to the EY University Speaker Series at 3:30pm, featuring Valerie Kingston, co-founder of Glenilen Farm, Dan Byrne, founder of Lincor Solutions, and Bord Bia chairman, Michael Carey.

They will be discussing their respective journeys from UCC graduate to successful entrepreneur.

On Thursday speakers will include Donal Cahalane of Trustev, named the European Commission’s Top Start-Up 2013, and Niall Harbison, co-founder of the social media company Simply Zesty, and CEO of PR Slides.

Delighted to be part of a great entrepreneur line up speaking at @uccEandS INNOV8 week in @UCC next week pic.twitter.com/RB2w4wYvRx

— Niall McGarry (@MrNiallMcGarry) January 21, 2014

Aidan Murphy, of UCC’s Entrepreneurial & Social Society, said: “Now more than ever, it is extremely important for students to be exposed to entrepreneurship, and we aim to inspire students to create their own job rather than just fill one.”

* All events are being held in Devere Hall at the Student Centre, UCC. Admission is free and open to the public.