Jump-Start Program

What is the Jump-start Program for New Social Enterprise?

The ‘Jump-start’ program is a series of 10 workshops designed to help you establish your new social enterprise. Held during June and July 2018, these workshops will bring together practical training on the fundamentals of creating a new social enterprise with exercises, case studies, and input from real-life social entrepreneurs who are actively making a real difference to Irish society.

The workshops are designed to equip you with the skills to release your inner social entrepreneur, develop and refine your social enterprise idea, understand the process of founding, developing, and managing a social enterprise, and produce a comprehensive business plan for your venture. We are here to help you bridge the gap between having a great idea for social change and understanding the practical realities of running a successful, self-sustaining, business, with a social mission.

The course commences on June 7^th 2018 and runs on successive Thursday and Tuesday afternoons from 2.00pm until 4.30pm for 5 weeks. (See Course Schedule)

The pilot program is limited to 25 qualifying participants,early application is advised as demand is likely to be high.

What is a Social Enterprise?

There are many different types of non-profit organisations which are created with a mission to be of benefit to society and/or the environment. Many of these organisations do wonderful work, but they are typically reliant on grants, philanthropy, or donations for the majority of their funding.

Equally, there are many businesses whose main focus is on making profit for their shareholders, but devote some of their profits and resources to supporting social or environmental causes.

Social Enterprises occupy the middle space on this social economy spectrum. This program defines a social enterprise as a sustainable business which funds itself by selling goods and/or services and uses its profits to fund its social objective.

Who should apply?

This program is for Social Entrepreneurs who are in the early stages of creating and developing a new Social Enterprise in Ireland. The program is designed to support social entrepreneurs who are actively engaged in founding a social enterprise and who are seeking support in producing a business plan for their venture.

What will I learn?

The program covers:

1. Identifying and evaluating the market opportunity for your social enterprise.

2. Defining the business model

3. Structuring and managing the business

4. Measuring performance and social impact

5. Producing a comprehensive social enterprise business plan

Each session will be delivered by an expert tutor and many will involve discussion, exercises, and input from established social entrepreneurs.

The course commences on June 7^th 2018 and runs on successive Thursday and Tuesday afternoons from 2.00pm until 4.30pm for 5 weeks.

What will I achieve from the program?

One of the biggest challenges you will face as a social entrepreneur is producing a professional business plan for your social enterprise. A comprehensive, properly structured, business plan is a key element of any application for funding and support for your social enterprise start-up. Good business plans demonstrate that your idea is viable, and that you have considered all of the elements that go into building a successful, self-sustaining, social enterprise.

Participants on the program will develop a comprehensive business plan over the course of the program.

How much does the program cost?

This is a pilot program, linked to a research project designed to study and enhance the educational support and training offered to social entrepreneurs in Ireland.

The program is FREE to suitable qualified applicants who are willing to participate in the research. The aim of the research is to optimise the support and training offered to social entrepreneurs in Ireland.

For further information on how your contribution to this research will be used to support and develop training for social entrepreneurs in Ireland, please see the Information page on this website.

How do I apply for a place on the program?

You can apply for the program by completing the application form on this website.

Applicants are advised to read through the FAQ & Information page before completing the application form.

Applicants are shortlisted for eligibility and suitability. Places will be allocated to suitable applicants on a first-come, first served, basis.

Entry Requirements

There are no standard educational requirements, such as the Leaving Certificate or an aptitude test, but all applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be actively engaged in starting a social enterprise in Ireland
• Be able to attend all 10 workshop sessions. (Thursday and Tuesday afternoons, 2pm until 4.30, commencing 7th June 2018, over 5 weeks)
• Be willing to participate in the research study
• If English is not your first language, you will have to be able to read and write English to a certain level in order to apply to DIT.
• Be at least 18 years of age.

Fees and Grants

The Program is free for research study participants.

What if I need further Information?

Please contact Gavan Cleary, program coordinator. Email: gavan.cleary@dit.ie