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.

Advice
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 150 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 150 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 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.

Co-Founder and COO at Kinzen, previously Facebook. Journalist turned entrepreneur.

Áine Kerr

Founder of Kinzen

Iseult Ward

Founder of FoodCloud

James Whelton

Founder of CoderDojo

Patrick Walsh

Founder of Dogpatch Labs

Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer at Intercom, valued at over $1.6B.

Des Traynor

Founder of Intercom

Celine Halioua

Founder of Loyal

Founder who exited to online shopping giant Asos. Now an investor at Draper Esprit.

Nicola McClafferty

Partner at Draper Esprit, Founder

Serial founder, now CEO of Manna. Scaled Cartrawler to $650m valuation.

Bobby Healy

Founder & CEO of Manna

Previous Projects

Patch projects include open-source climate modeling software, entertainment devices for visually impaired people, consumer technology, and medical diagnostic technology. Watch some of the 2024 Patch Showcase presentations: