Build something great
A summer programme for aspiring builders, inventors and leaders.
About Patch
Patch is a seven-week summer accelerator for 16–21 year olds (or a little older!) who want to build something ambitious and push the world forward. It’s free, and we’ll support participants fully, so they can focus on building.
Participating teams spend the summer working on a chosen project, getting to know an energetic group of peers, and learning from brilliant mentors and speakers. We provide support so participants can focus entirely on building.
Patch is open to future entrepreneurs, scientists, engineers, designers and technologists of all stripes.
After the summer, they become part of the Patch alumni community—a tight-knit network of builders, creators, and founders who stay connected through meetups, mentorship, and exciting opportunities.
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 incredible 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.
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:
Check out all of the 2024 projects.
Meet our alumni
Meet some of our past participants and community members.
Aerodynamics Engineer at Red Bull Racing, Founder of Ulysses
Founder of Script
Founder of MIRR, Engineer at Luminate Medical
BT Young Scientist Winner 2024