Mayo student takes part in last ever BT Young Scientist Bootcamp

A big week ahead for Mount St Michael student Dana Carney as she takes part in the BT Young Scientist Business Bootcamp. The third year student will take part in the bootcamp which runs from  today Monday, March 3 until Thursday, March 6, at Nova UCD.

Now in its 16^th year, the bootcamp, which was set up by BT Ireland under its custodianship of the Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (YSTE) in 2010, supports BTYSTE finalists with developing their project ideas into commercial enterprises under the guidance of BTYSTE alumni, BT Ireland mentors and expert judges.

This year, BT Ireland celebrates 25 years as organiser of the YSTE and first introduced the bootcamp as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance and evolve the exhibition under its custodianship.

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In the last sixteen years, the bootcamp has provided almost 500 students with skills to turn their project ideas into commercial enterprises.  

This year, thirty students representing 12 counties from across the island of Ireland are participating in the Bootcamp. The students will take part in a four-day programme which includes workshops on business development, marketing and commercialisation. They will also have the opportunity to meet BTYSTE alumni who themselves have launched successful enterprises.

On the final day, the students will pitch their project to an expert panel of judges. 

Judges this year include Shay Walsh, Managing Director of BT Ireland, Dr Tony Scott, co-founder of the BTYSTE, Anne-Marie Turley, Head of Fintech, Finance & Cybersecurity at Enterprise Ireland, and Brian O’Donovan, Work and Technology Correspondent at RTÉ.  

Shay Walsh, Managing Director of BT Ireland, said: “We are pleased to welcome the participating students to the 2025 BT Young Scientist Business Bootcamp at Nova UCD, our event partner. The Bootcamp which we developed in 2010, has been a highlight for BT Ireland for years, and it’s amazing to see thirty of the country’s brightest young minds develop their ideas with STEM experts. 

"While this is an exciting event for us, it also marks the final Bootcamp we will deliver. It has been an honour to support 500 young people over the years in developing their business skills, with many making significant impacts in STEM and business.

"I’d like to thank my colleagues and the Nova UCD team for their support, and I hope all participants will have an unforgettable week”. 

Dr Tony Scott, co-founder of the Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, said: "The level of talent that we see at Bootcamp every year is fantastic, and I have no doubt that the 2025 participants will go on to make a big impact on their futures.  

"While BT Ireland’s journey with the YSTE will conclude this week, the organisation’s legacy with the exhibition will forever endure”. 

Since the Bootcamp began, several participants have gone on to create successful enterprises, including Protex AI, betterexaminations.ie, and Evervault.