Build your future
A summer programme for aspiring builders, inventors and leaders.
About Patch
Patch is a free summer programme for talented young people who want to work on impactful projects and creative business ideas.
You’ll spend seven weeks working on your chosen project, getting to know a group of like-minded peers, and learning from brilliant mentors. After the summer, you’ll join the Patch alumni community and gain access to exclusive events, targeted mentorship, and ongoing career support.
Sound interesting? Join our mailing list to receive updates on our programmes, events and community.
“Growing up in rural Kerry, I’ve never really had anyone to talk to about the things I’m interested in, like genetics and AI. But during Patch, I met so many amazing people and I didn’t feel alone anymore. It meant the world to me.”
Conor Casey, 18 | Patch 2020
Patch will help you…
Connect with like-minded peers, learn from inspiring mentors, broaden your perspective, deepen your confidence, and raise your ambitions.
Experience
Spend your summer working on an impactful project with like-minded teammates. Learn by doing and challenge yourself to push past your previous limits.
Mentorship
Connect with and learn from a host of world-class leaders, builders and scientists through a syllabus of workshops, talks and mentoring sessions.
Community
Join a community of over 120 talented young people with diverse backgrounds, broad interests and a shared drive to push the world forward.
“Patch exists to give curious, ambitious young people a space and community where they can realise their potential”
Tom McCarthy | Founder, Patch
How does it work?
Take a chance
Apply with an idea you’d like to work on or a project you’d like to develop further. It might be a business idea, research project, or something else entirely.
Take part
Join forces with like-minded peers to work on an impactful project or ambitious business idea. Learn new skills and push beyond your previous limits.
Take off 🚀
Join a community of over 120 talented young people who you will continue to build with and learn from for decades to come.
Our Partners
Thanks to generous partner support, we are able to cover the full program costs—including food and accommodation—for all participants. We also offer stipends to make Patch accessible to candidates who could otherwise not participate due to lost wages, family care commitments, or other financial circumstances.
With special thanks to Brian Kingham, Mark Cummins, Joe Liemandt, Rob Granieri and Craig Falls.
Learn from the best
Brilliant mentors share their experience and advice with Patch teams.
Meet our alumni
Meet some of our past participants and community members.
Diana Bura
BT Young Scientist Winner 2016
Liam Mendes
Engineering lead at Umber
Laura Cosgrave
Mathematical Sciences at UCC
Alice Shaughnessy
Co-Founder of MIRR
Adam Kelly
BTYSE 2019 and Scifest 2018 Winner
Jamie Palmer
Ergonomics lead at Formula Trinity
Previous Projects
Patch projects include open-source climate modeling software, entertainment devices for the blind, consumer technology, and medical diagnostic technology.
Field Of Vision (FOV) gives people who are visually impaired a whole new way to experience sports matches. Their handheld product uses computer vision and haptic feedback to immerse users in live games. The team developed their prototype while at Patch, and were selected as winners of the international Pioneer competition. fov.ie
MIRR is a smart touchscreen device from the future. Inspired by Tony Stark’s workspaces in Iron Man, MIRR makes everyday surfaces that also function as computing interfaces. The team was selected to take part in Enterprise Ireland’s New Frontiers programme with €15,000 in funding.
Check out all of the 2023 projects.