Trinity’s new ideas workspace “Tangent” has officially launched today. The initiative is designed to roll out education on entrepreneurship and innovation through start-up company acceleration programmes, community events, and supports for entrepreneurs across the country and further afield.
The new Trinity Business School building, which is currently under construction, is set to house Tangent upon its opening in May of next year. Flexible workspaces and event spaces have been incorporated in plans to foster collaboration on new ideas.
Trinity’s Chief Innovation and Enterprise Officer Dr Diarmuid O’Brien hopes that Tangent is paving the way for a “transformative learning environment [which] will inspire and empower our students and graduates, to create new enterprises and businesses at the forefront of Europe’s innovation ecosystem”.
Tangent is a key aspect of Trinity’s ongoing innovation efforts, which also include plans for a €1 billion campus at the heart of the new Grand Canal Innovation District. The programme is set to act as a testing-grounds for city-wide initiatives in innovation, as well as providing a space for the entrepreneurship community to meet.
Provost Dr Patrick Prendergast stated: “Trinity is committed to providing an environment that supports and encourages innovation at all levels across the University, promoting entrepreneurship as an engine for economic growth, and for social and cultural development.”
“It is a core element of Trinity’s strategy, ensuring that we create value from our leading research and equip our students and graduates with the ability to drive innovation and thrive in a world of constant change,” Prendergast continued.
In collaboration with the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and other innovation hubs, Tangent offers a new Regional Postgraduate Certificate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The certificate programme is set for a national launch next year which branches in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway.
Tangent is supported by the Bank of Ireland. Dave Tighe, Bank of Ireland’s Head of Innovation, outlined “the importance of helping foster early stage supports and opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship”.
In September, Pitchbook named Trinity the best European university for producing entrepreneurs. According to research published by Pitchbook, Trinity produced more graduates founding venture-backed companies in the last 13 years than any other university in Europe.
The development of the Trinity Business School, where Tangent is based, comes as part of a €295 million capital investment plan in line with College’s 2014-19 Strategic Plan. Other major capital projects outlined in the plan include the E3 Institute in Engineering, Energy and Environment and the Cancer Institute at St James’ Hospital.
