NEIC Start Up Entrepreneur class of 2025 graduate
The NEIC (North East Inner City) Start Up Entrepreneurship programme's graduation ceremony for its 2025 programme at a "Dragon's Den" style event was held at the headquarters of aircraft lessor Avolon today.
Participants pitched their new business ideas to a panel of dragons including former Dublin GAA football player Paddy Andrews and Scale Ireland CEO Martina Fitzgerald.
Business ideas planned by the graduates included the hire and repair of sustainable e-scooters, AI-powered predictive energy management and blockchain-based cybersecurity software solutions.
The NEIC 10-week programme provides the opportunity for young people aged between 18-30 to develop their business idea and build their competencies as an entrepreneur.
The programme was created in a partnership that included the NEIC Initiative, TU Dublin Growth Hub, Inner City Enterprise, Open Doors Initiative, Dogpatch Labs and Avolon.
"We are committed to maximising educational, training and employment opportunities. Through NEIC Start Up, we empower young people to explore self-employment, unlocking business ideas and building a brighter future for the NEIC Community," Jim Gavin, Chairperson of the Programme Implementation Board for the NEIC Initiative, said.
Tom Cooney, Professor of Entrepreneurship at TU Dublin, said the NEIC Start Up Programme is a powerful example of how TU Dublin and community partners are unlocking the entrepreneurial potential of young people in Dublin's inner city.
Fionn Crowley, Chair of Avolon's CARE Committee, said the programme provides participants with tangible skills to succeed as they look to take the brave step of launching their business idea.
"Avolon started its life 15 years ago and has grown to be one of the world's leading lessors, and we welcome the opportunity to celebrate this group of young people on their entrepreneurship journey," he added.
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RTÉ News
3 days ago
- RTÉ News
NEIC Start Up Entrepreneur class of 2025 graduate
The NEIC (North East Inner City) Start Up Entrepreneurship programme's graduation ceremony for its 2025 programme at a "Dragon's Den" style event was held at the headquarters of aircraft lessor Avolon today. Participants pitched their new business ideas to a panel of dragons including former Dublin GAA football player Paddy Andrews and Scale Ireland CEO Martina Fitzgerald. Business ideas planned by the graduates included the hire and repair of sustainable e-scooters, AI-powered predictive energy management and blockchain-based cybersecurity software solutions. The NEIC 10-week programme provides the opportunity for young people aged between 18-30 to develop their business idea and build their competencies as an entrepreneur. The programme was created in a partnership that included the NEIC Initiative, TU Dublin Growth Hub, Inner City Enterprise, Open Doors Initiative, Dogpatch Labs and Avolon. "We are committed to maximising educational, training and employment opportunities. Through NEIC Start Up, we empower young people to explore self-employment, unlocking business ideas and building a brighter future for the NEIC Community," Jim Gavin, Chairperson of the Programme Implementation Board for the NEIC Initiative, said. Tom Cooney, Professor of Entrepreneurship at TU Dublin, said the NEIC Start Up Programme is a powerful example of how TU Dublin and community partners are unlocking the entrepreneurial potential of young people in Dublin's inner city. Fionn Crowley, Chair of Avolon's CARE Committee, said the programme provides participants with tangible skills to succeed as they look to take the brave step of launching their business idea. "Avolon started its life 15 years ago and has grown to be one of the world's leading lessors, and we welcome the opportunity to celebrate this group of young people on their entrepreneurship journey," he added.
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Irish Independent
Electric air taxi company Vertical Aerospace completes key flight
It makes a landmark step for the company, which has endured a tumultuous few years that saw it undergo a major restructuring as it continued development of its aircraft. Vertical is one of a number of firms developing vertical take-off and landing electric air taxis that they are hoping will become major green transport modes in busy cities across the world. The company was founded by Belfast-born businessman Stephen Fitzpatrick and was heavily backed by Dublin-based jet lessor Avolon. Mr Fitzpatrick stepped down as Vertical's CEO in 2023. Mr Slattery, CEO of Avolon until 2022, stepped down as Vertical's chairman in 2023, before being reappointed to the role this year. The landmark flight of the VX4 prototype in the UK, piloted by chief test pilot Si Davies, saw the aircraft take off, fly and land like a conventional aircraft, with lift generated by the wing. In phase three testing – wingborne flight – the VX4 operates like a conventional aircraft using lift generated by its wings, rather than relying solely on rotor thrust. This low-power, quiet mode of flight is key to making electric air travel practical, scalable and economically viable, according to Vertical Aerospace. The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) approved the flight through open airspace at Cotswold Airport by extending Vertical's permit to fly. 'Achieving piloted wingborne flight in open airspace under the oversight of the UK CAA is an important moment in our certification journey,' said Vertical Aerospace CEO Stuart Simpson. 'Operating under the UK's rigorous regulatory framework means we share the burden of safety with our regulator – every step must be approved, and that's by design. It amounts to a mini-certification of our prototype and gives us a clearer, faster path to type certification.' Last year, Vertical Aerospace sued a British company that was involved in the development and manufacture of major components for its prototype aircraft. Vertical Aerospace floated in New York in 2021, valuing it at $2.2bn (€1.9bn). The company's market capitalisation slumped to as low as $162m last year, but has since risen to $455m.
The Irish Sun
21-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
I ditched the crime-ridden UK for sunny Dubai & made a million in a YEAR – the opportunities are endless here
AN entrepreneurial couple moved to Dubai to escape the UK and launched their own business - which is worth £1 million after just a YEAR. Jason Kwao, 28, dropped out of university because he "didn't find it useful" - and began buying homeware products direct from a warehouse, and selling on Amazon for a profit. 4 Jason Kwao and Sumekka Selliah-Kwao are living their dream life in Dubai Credit: SWNS 4 They moved to the Dubailand area of the UAE country to enjoy the hot climate and explore a new lifestyle Credit: SWNS 4 Now raising two children in Dubai, the couple don't miss their previous London lifestyle Credit: SWNS He transferred to work with an agency where he got to take on higher-value accounts - bringing in £8,000-a-month before tax. With Jason able to do his job remotely, he and his wife Sumekka Selliah-Kwao, 27, then moved to the In January 2024, they co-launched their own commercial selling agency - with cash initially tight as they invested it all, alongside having a second child. But over time, their business-to-business product sales agency, Intermast, grew - allowing the young couple to take on staff. read more real life In January 2025, just a year since launching, the couple run a team of five and say the business has been valued at £1 MILLION. Jason, originally from "When I started doing well selling on Amazon while working with an agency, it was so exciting - but I felt like I was burnt out. "That was why we packed our suitcases and moved to Dubai. Most read in Fabulous "We invested everything and sometimes we'd be late paying rent if sales invoices didn't come through on time. "Sometimes I'd end up in tears from stress. "But when you start to do the right things, eventually people see the value of what you're doing." Jason says he was surrounded by crime growing up, and knew he wanted more from life. He struggled at school - even getting suspended in year 11 for a month - but managed to do well in his exams and got into But he left after a year when he felt he was 'wasting his potential', with a dream of becoming an entrepreneur. How to start your own business Dragon's Den star Theo Paphitis revealed his tips for budding entrepreneurs: One of the biggest barriers aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners face is a lack of confidence. You must believe in your idea — even more than that, be the one boring your friends to death about it. Never be afraid to make decisions. Once you have an idea, it's the confidence to make decisions that is crucial to starting and maintaining a business. If you don't take calculated risks, you're standing still. If a decision turns out to be wrong, identify it quickly and deal with it if you can. Failing that, find someone else who can. It's OK not to get it right the first time. My experience of making bad decisions is what helped develop my confidence, making me who I am today. Never underestimate the power of social media, and remember the internet has levelled the playing field for small businesses. Don't forget to dream. A machine can't do that! He cycled through a series of part time jobs to afford rent - including being a cashier, fixing phones, and a pizza delivery driver. He and Sumekka were living in a shared house with upwards of six other people - and they had just discovered she was pregnant. Then Jason discovered that his housemate ran a warehouse selling homeware products on Groupon, so he worked for the housemate picking and packing orders. In the meantime, he learnt from the friend how to do e-commerce for himself, and got stuck into independently buying and selling on Amazon from 2020 for himself. 4 Jason set up his own e-commerce sales business while working in a warehouse... now he runs his own company Credit: SWNS Jason said: "He would give me the items on loan, and then I would sell them and pay him back. The best sellers were rugs and duvets. Before we knew it, we did our first £10,000 month in net sales." With his sights set on higher goals, in 2022 Jason joined an agency consulting and selling on Amazon. He said: "I was working on accounts worth millions, it was one of the most exciting periods of my life. I was doing everything I wanted, and I was earning so much money, but I started to feel burnt out." He and Sumekka saved up to travel and in August 2023, they spent four months visiting Southeast Asia. I had a bad experience of London - I grew up in a poor place with gangs, stabbings and fires. But coming to Dubai felt like endless possibilities Jason Kwao They decided to settle in Dubai in December 2023 after finding out Sumekka was pregnant with their second child. They ploughed all their savings into launching their business Intermast - meaning 'Internet Mastery' - in January 2024. CEO Jason said: "We help clients sell and make money on Amazon, working business-to-business "We use our expertise in data analysis, keywords, strategy and advertising to get our clients' products clicked on. "But it was hard at first - as soon as money came in it would be going out. Whether that was hospital appointments, or a new laptop, or applying for residency - there was always something to pay for." Dark side of Dubai where Brit influencers are preyed upon for sex & women are brutalised at 'porta potty' parties But towards the end of 2024, their social media posts started getting a lot of attention, and they began securing new and larger clients. After a whirlwind Q4, a business valuation revealed Intermast's worth had grown from nothing to £1 million - in 12 months. Now they are on a team of five and live in a three-bed villa with Sofia Amari, five, and Amias, 11 months. Jason said: "I had a bad experience of London - I grew up in a poor place with gangs, stabbings and fires. "But coming here felt like endless possibilities. "We have employees so we don't spend as much time doing the day-to-day business work any more. "I love the sunshine, I love working outside and seeing the greenery and pool outside the villa. "It's a busy life but it makes us so happy to be here and do this."
