80 Changing Lives Through Education: Citi UpStart

Professor Paul Stynes described Citi UpStart, a year-long entrepreneurship accelerator embedded within NCI’s master’s programmes. Co-designed with Citi, the initiative integrates sustainability, innovation, and industry mentorship to support students in developing responsible, solutions-driven business concepts. From 140 applicants, 40 students formed eight interdisciplinary startup teams, each paired with experienced Citi mentors.

Through workshops on entrepreneurship, sustainability, leadership, emerging technologies, and expert talks on topics such as generative AI and risk management, students learned to balance commercial viability with environmental and social purpose. The programme culminated in a Dragons’ Den style final where teams pitched to judges from Citi, Enterprise Ireland, the ICT Skillnet, and start-up leaders. Projects addressed challenges such as food waste, mental health, migrant employment, and sustainable energy.

Evaluation showed 92% overall student satisfaction, with strong gains in innovation and technical skills. Notably, four teams are progressing toward formal company formation, and another is advancing product-market research after prototype development. Professor Stynes emphasised that Citi UpStart demonstrates ESD in action: students learn through sustainability by applying values, technological knowledge, and entrepreneurial thinking to real-world problems.