Leitrim student takes home top prize at BT Young Scientist & Technology Business Bootcamp

Ava Gaffney, a fourth-year student from Ballinamore Community School, Leitrim, was part of the team that took home the prize for 'Best Group' at the 2024 BT Young Scientist Business Bootcamp. 

The project was originally developed by Ava as an entry in BTYSTE 2024 and looks at the bus routes at her local school to see whether they are operating in the most efficient way. 

Members of the winning group also included Caragh Killeen, a sixth-year student from St Joseph's Community College, Clare; Séan Murphy, a fourth-year student from Colaiste Mhuire, Westmeath; and Alec Hannan, a fifth-year student from Gonzaga College, Dublin.  

Harry O'Leary, a fifth-year student from Gonzaga College, Dublin, also won an award for 'Best Individual' at the BT Young Scientist Business Bootcamp 2024.  

Now in its 15th year, the Bootcamp was set up by BT Ireland to support BTYSTE finalists in developing their project ideas into commercial enterprises under the guidance of BTYSTE alumni, BT Ireland mentors, and expert judges. 

The BT Young Scientist Business Bootcamp, delivered in partnership with Nova UCD, took place from March 4 – 7 and involved 26 students representing ten counties from across the island of Ireland. 

The participants were shortlisted from the prize winners at BTYSTE 2024. Six projects were selected from the exhibition for the students to work on and develop at Bootcamp. 

The students engaged in a four-day intensive programme that included business development, marketing and commercialisation workshops. They also had the opportunity to hear from BTYSTE alumni who have launched successful enterprises. On the final day, the students pitched their project to an expert panel of judges.  

This year's judges included Shay Walsh, Managing Director of BT Ireland, Dr Tony Scott, co-founder of the BTYSTE, Catherine Howard, Vice President, Technology, at IDA Ireland, and Brian O'Donovan, Work and Technology Correspondent at RTÉ. 

Shay Walsh, Managing Director of BT Ireland, which organises the bootcamp, said, "I would like to extend my congratulations to all of the prize winners and participants at the BT Young Scientist Business Bootcamp.

"As the demand for STEM skills continues to grow each year, we know that the skills and advice that the students receive here will be instrumental in the development of Ireland's future workforce, ensuring that Ireland continues to drive innovation as a market leader."  

Pat Guiry, UCD Professor and Chair of the Young Scientist Charitable Trust said that Nova UCD is a hub for new ventures and entrepreneurs and makes it a "very fitting location for the next generation of future entrepreneurs to develop their project ideas into commercial enterprises."