Unveiling the Extraordinary Impact of Patch on Young Minds

Patch is revolutionizing the way young minds approach innovation. This unique accelerator program is specifically designed for entrepreneurs between the ages of 15 and 21, providing them with invaluable opportunities to develop their ideas and skills.

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One of the driving forces behind Patch is Jack O'Regan Kenny, a multi-talented individual who not only leads the program but is also eligible to apply himself at the age of 21. Supported by Stripe, Dogpatch Labs, and the NDRC, Patch is Ireland's premier accelerator for young entrepreneurs, akin to the esteemed BT Young Scientist program for STEM students.

Initially launched in 2018 by Tom McCarthy, Patch aims to instill a Silicon Valley mindset among its participants, now affectionately known as "Patchers." Over the years, the program has grown significantly, expanding from 12 participants to over 30 in the current year.

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As the grip of the Covid-19 pandemic loosened its hold, Patch gained traction, prompting its backers to elevate the program to new heights. "In 2022, we took Patch to the next level," explained O'Regan Kenny, a former participant. "We brought in a dedicated program manager, attracted sponsorship from Stripe, and significantly expanded the scope and impact of the program."

Expanding Accessibility

Patch has undergone considerable transformation. When O'Regan Kenny took part in the program, it was largely conducted online due to Covid-19 restrictions. As a result, he missed out on the perks now enjoyed by the current cohort, such as paid accommodation, meals, and even a trip to London. Reflecting on his experience, O'Regan Kenny shared, "Back then, I worked as a plumber alongside my Patch commitment just to put food on the table. Now, we can offer in-person demo days, engaging speakers, and provide food and accommodations for all participants, effectively making Patch far more accessible."

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Today's Demo Day serves as the culmination of seven weeks of intense collaboration, ideation, prototyping, and presentation practice. Young minds from across Ireland and beyond, aged 15 to 21, have come together to shape innovative startup ideas. And where better to foster this creativity than at Dogpatch Labs, situated in the heart of Dublin's Docklands, adjacent to the Irish Emigration Museum, EPIC. While EPIC chronicles stories of Irish emigrants seeking opportunities abroad, Dogpatch Labs nurtures the entrepreneurial ambitions of young minds, making Ireland an attractive destination for aspiring innovators.

However, Patch's growth extends beyond mere size and scale. This year's cohort represents the most diverse in the program's history, with nearly half of the participants being young women and over 60% based outside Dublin. Fearghal Desmond, a 19-year-old engineering student at University College Cork and a Patcher, expressed his surprise at the diversity within the group, noting, "You'd expect a STEM program to attract a homogenous group of individuals, but Patch is anything but that. The backgrounds of the participants are incredibly diverse, which has been eye-opening for me."

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Cork-native Desmond has created a project called Induct, which focuses on developing technology to enhance access control systems in buildings. Inspired by losing his own access fob for Dogpatch Labs during the program, Desmond devised an innovative solution. "Instead of waiting for weeks to get a replacement fob," he explained, "I used a device to clone my card information onto a new keycard. This problem isn't confined to one location; it exists everywhere. That's why we're building our own access control system."

A Drive for Improvement

While some Patchers, like Desmond, aspire to transform their projects into full-fledged startups, others have used the program as an opportunity to delve deeper into STEM fields. Take Alanna Hayes, an 18-year-old student from Co Clare, for example. Hayes and her team developed Stride, a project focused on creating automatically adjustable insoles to substitute expensive orthotic insoles. As Hayes humorously remarked, "Orthotic insoles are costly, and you have to replace them every two years. On top of that, doctor's appointments aren't cheap either. So, we took strides to solve that problem!"

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As Demo Day approaches, O'Regan Kenny anticipates what he calls the "post-Patch depression." While bidding farewell to the current cohort, Patch's young managing director will soon be back in action, seeking sponsors and partners for next year's program. He emphasized the importance of this accelerator's success, stating, "Our future strategy hinges on the success of this year's program. Our goal is to identify talent from different regions, creating a year-round community that supports ambitious individuals in every way possible."

O'Regan Kenny concluded, "Patch is more than just a program; it's a genuinely supportive and close-knit community. With over 120 alumni and new cohorts meeting each other, there's an immediate bond. Patchers know they can share their ideas, experiences, and challenges, fostering camaraderie and a desire to listen and learn from one another."