FAQs

About Patch

What is Patch?

Patch is a 7-week summer programme, where talented young people from all over Ireland come together to work on impactful projects and creative business ideas. Participants spend the summer working on their chosen project, getting to know an energetic group of peers, and learning from brilliant mentors.

Where does Patch take place?

Patch is a full-time, in-person programme based in Dublin. The day-to-day takes place in Dogpatch Labs, but the programme also includes regular events and activities outside of Dogpatch.

When does Patch take place?

The 2024 programme will run from July 3rd to August 16th.

How much does it cost to take part in Patch?

Thanks to generous donations from our partners and supporters, we have been able to make Patch financially accessible to all participants. We cover the full program costs—transport, accommodation, coworking space, meals, and trips—for all participants.

We also offer stipends, which are available by request at the time of admission. Stipend decisions are made separately from decisions about program admission, so needing a stipend will in no way affect whether you are accepted to Patch.

Do I need to be based in Ireland?

No, we welcome applications from Ireland, the UK and other European countries. We’ll cover transport costs etc. within reason.

Applications

Who can apply to Patch?

You must be between the ages of 16 and 21 at the time of application and based in Ireland, the UK, or other European countries. We generally look for young people who are enthusiastic about science, technology, design, entrepreneurship, or social impact.

What’s the application process?

The application process has two stages:

1. All candidates complete a written application (see 2024 application to get a sense of the questions we ask)

2. Successful applicants are invited to a short online interview with a member of the Patch team / alumni community

We aim to respond to all applicants within two weeks of the application closing date and all interviewees within a week of the interview window.

Applications for the 2024 programme closed on March 3rd. You can register interest here to be notified when applications open for the 2025 programme and receive occasional updates from Patch.

Do I need a team to apply to Patch?

No, you can apply as an individual. If you apply solo, you will form a team with 1-3 other members of your cohort at the beginning of the programme.

Do I need an idea to apply to Patch?

Yes, you must apply to Patch with an idea. This may be something you just came up with, or have worked on for some time. However, you can work on something other than what you apply with and many Patch teams choose an entirely new idea based on their combined skills and ambitions.

Does my idea have to be a startup?

No, We support a wide range of projects, including (but not limited to) research, software/hardware/biotech projects, and social initiatives.

Do I need to know how to write code?

No. Many Patch participants have experience with coding, but we’re also looking for candidates who excel at design, science, building things, entrepreneurship, leadership, or generally seeing projects through from ideation to launch.

What do you look for when reviewing applications?

The application form is updated each year, but you can check out the 2024 application to get a sense of the questions we ask. We're generally looking for evidence that you have a genuine interest in your focus area(s), are coming up with creative solutions to problems, can work well with others, and have experience taking ambitious projects from ideation to launch/publication.

Don’t be afraid to include interests that are wildly different from the project you want to work on at Patch, things you tried and failed, work you haven’t finished yet, or a project you’re in the very early stages of scoping out. We’re more interested in curiosity and enthusiasm than perfection.

How many people are accepted to Patch?

The 2024 cohort will include 30-40 people.

Can I apply again next year if I’m not accepted?

Yes, please do! We encourage applicants who are not accepted this year to continue working on their projects and honing their skills towards submitting a stronger application next year. Some of our most successful participants were accepted to the programme on their second or third application.

2024 Programme

What does a typical week in Patch look like?

At the start of each week, you’ll set goals for what you want to achieve and most of your time will be spent working on your project - building, planning or talking to mentors and users. Each week also includes group activities, workshops and talks from inspiring speakers.

We update the schedule of workshops and speakers each year, but you can get a sense of a “typical” week at Patch from our 2023 schedule.

When do I need to be available for Patch?

The 2024 programme will run from July 3rd to August 16th . You should generally be available 10am - 6pm on weekdays during that period. It is fine if you need to miss an occasional event or day of activities.

What support do you offer teams working on hardware or biotech projects?

While we don’t have fabrication facilities or lab equipment in Dogpatch Labs, we can arrange access to other facilities that have the equipment you need.

We also allocate a budget to each hardware team to help access components. We can work with you to stay within that budget and/or work with you to find a sponsor for components that would otherwise blow your budget.

What is Bootcamp?

Bootcamp is the first part of the programme. It’s a week-long kick-off where you’ll meet your fellow participants and mentors, form teams and decide what you’re going to build over the next few weeks.

What is Patch Showcase?

Patch Showcase is the grand finale of the summer programme. Teams present their projects and share what they learned with an audience of supporters, mentors and founders.

Will Patch take a percentage of the company we form or interest in the IP we create during the summer programme?

No. We’re a non-profit, focused on bringing talented people together to work on interesting problems.

If you choose to form a company with your team after the summer programme ends, we can continue to support you with advice and connections. If you choose to work on something completely different, we’ll also support you in any way we can.

Accommodation, Food and Other Essentials

Who is eligible for free accommodation?

Accommodation is provided for any participants living outside of Dublin.

Will I have to share a room?

Usually, yes. We typically host participants in two-person rooms, with roommates paired based on gender and age.

Can you accommodate food allergies and other dietary needs?

Yes. We’ll send out a survey before the programme starts to learn about the dietary needs (and preferences) of each participant.

Do I need to bring a laptop?

If you have a laptop, please bring it. If you don’t have a laptop, please let us know ahead of time so we can make sure you have access to one for the duration of the programme.

Do I get a t-shirt?

Yes.

What’s your privacy policy?

https://dogpatchlabs.com/privacy-policy/

I have more questions! Where can I learn more?

We’d love to hear from you. Please grab some time during Patch Office Hours or email us at team@joinpatch.org.