Westmeath student takes home top prize at BT Young Scientist Business Bootcamp

Séan Murphy, a fourth year student at Coláiste Mhuire, was part of the team that took home the prize for ‘Best Group’ at the 2024 BT Young Scientist Business Bootcamp.

The project was originally developed as an entry in BTYSTE 2024 and looks at the bus routes at a local school to see whether they are operating in the most efficient way.

Members of the winning group also included: Ava Gaffney, a fourth year student from Ballinamore Community School, Leitrim, Caragh Killeen, a sixth year student from St Joseph’s Community College, Clare, and Alec Hannan, a fifth year student from Gonzaga College, Dublin.

Harry O’Leary, fifth year student from Gonzaga College, Dublin, also won an award for ‘Best Individual’ at the BT Young Scientist Business Bootcamp 2024.

Max Buinenko, a fifth year student from Coláiste Mhuire, and Sean Sibindi, a fifth year student from Athlone Community College, also took part in the Bootcamp.

Now in its 15th year, the Bootcamp was set up by BT Ireland to support BTYSTE finalists with developing their project ideas into commercial enterprises under the guidance of BTYSTE alumni, BT Ireland mentors, and expert judges.

It was delivered in partnership with Nova UCD on March 4-7, and involved 26 students representing 10 counties. The participants were shortlisted from the prize winners at BTYSTE 2024, and six projects were selected from the exhibition for the students to work on and develop at Bootcamp.

The students engaged in a four-day intensive programme that included workshops on business development, marketing and commercialisation. They also heard from BTYSTE alumni who have launched successful enterprises. On the final day, the students pitched their project to the judges.

Judges this year included Shay Walsh, managing director of BT Ireland, Dr Tony Scott, co-founder of the BTYSTE, Catherine Howard, vice-president, Technology, at IDA Ireland, and Brian O’Donovan, work and technology correspondent at RTÉ.

Mr Walsh congratulated the prize winners and participants at the BT Young Scientist Business Bootcamp, and said: “As the demand for STEM skills continue to grow, we know that the skills and advice that the students receive here will be instrumental in the development of Ireland’s future workforce, ensuring that Ireland continues to drive innovation as a market leader.”

Since the Bootcamp began, participants who have gone on to become successful entrepreneurs included Protex AI, betterexaminations.ie, and Evervault.

For more information on the BT Young Scientist Business Bootcamp, please visit BTYS Business Bootcamp – BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition or follow @BTYSTE on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, or Snapchat (username BTYSTE).