Become a Startup Scout
in
at
University College Dublin

Join us as a VC startup scout to experience firsthand the dynamic world of startups. Gain critical business insights and expand your network in the vibrant startup ecosystem. Perfect for University College Dublin members seeking unique learning opportunities.

About

University College Dublin (UCD) has a dynamic and growing startup and VC ecosystem. Over the years, the university has been the cradle of several successful startups and initiatives.

UCD has a dedicated business incubator, NovaUCD, providing a comprehensive entrepreneurial support offering to the UCD community. Supporting over 225 companies, it has a success rate of 79% with an overall survival rate of firms after five years.

A number of notable startup companies have emerged from UCD. Equinome, a world leader in equine genomics founded by UCD researchers, was acquired by Plusvital in 2015. Logentries, a leading provider of log management and analytics services founded by a team of UCD researchers and spun out from UCD's Performance Engineering Laboratory, was acquired by Rapid7 in 2015.

UCD's VC ecosystem is also flourishing. Several venture capital funds have been established by former UCD students, such as Druid Capital, Frontline Ventures, and Tribal VC. Many of these VC's have been instrumental in providing funding to UCD spin-outs and other startups across Ireland and beyond.

The University also hosts the UCD VentureLaunch Accelerator Programme which aims to support the creation, and accelerate the launch, of sustainable and profitable new ventures based on intellectual property emerging from UCD. It offers a nine-week, structured, commercially-focused programme that helps participants refine their start-up ideas.

Key investors and founders emerge from UCD. The university's alumni include successful entrepreneurs such as Brian Caulfield, a venture capitalist and former entrepreneur who was a partner at Draper Esprit, and Barry O'Sullivan, a former senior vice president at Cisco Systems and CEO of Altocloud.

Overall, the startup and VC ecosystem at University College Dublin is a vibrant, thriving community that continues to contribute significantly to the global entrepreneurial scene.

As a Scout, You Can...

Kickstart Your Venture Capital Career

Showing your skills in picking successful startups and advising founders is the surest way to build your reputation and secure a venture capital role.

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Help Your Ecosystem Thrive

Your community, region, or group thrives when its founders are given the chance to succeed before going back and reinvesting in their comunities.

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Earn a Share in Startups Without Investing in Them

Earn a share in startups you scout without the funds to invest directly just like a VC partner.

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Monetise Your Content & Community

As a podcaster, community manager, or event organiser you have a front-row seat to interesting startups which you can monetise by helping them fundraise.

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Create a Fairer Society

By identifying under-represented founders you're level the playing field for anyone to success based on merit independent from their social or ethnic background.

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Help Friends Get Funded

Help your friends who are neck-deep in their startups get the funding they need to succeed.

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Grow Your Personal Brand

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Join as a Scout at Your University

Available Programs

Startup Investor?

At University College Dublin, we are committed to connecting startup investors with dealflow opportunities from individuals, startups, and the latest innovations. Our network is here to help you discover the best opportunities to grow your investments.

Learn More →

Scout Programs in Other Global Startup Hubs

Podcaster

Do you interview founders & startups? Take your conversation insights to the next level by scouting your favourite podcast guests.

Scout founders you interview →

Co-Working Space Organiser

Do you help run a co-working space as an organiser or a greeter? Do you come across interesting entrepreneurs and startups?

Scout startups you sit next to→

Event Organiser

Do you organise an event, conference, or trade show? Help your founder attendees get discovered.

Scout startups at your event →

Student

Are you active in the entrepreneurship club at your college? Doing an MBA? Or are you a PHD student at a technical university? Help your fellow students get funded.

Scout startups at your university →

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