Ideas Academy

Supporting budding social entrepreneurs to move from idea to action

Applications for the Ideas Academy 2026 open 23 March. Join the interest list to be notified the moment they go live.
Register Your Interest

Do you have an innovative idea to tackle a social or environmental problem? Do you have personal insight into or experience of the issue? Are you ambitious, entrepreneurial and passionate about social change?

Overview

This three-month programme provides you with the knowledge and tools you need to deepen your understanding of the problem and kick-start your idea through testing and piloting.

Participants on the Ideas Academy are supported to clearly articulate, refine and progress their solutions, while building skills and accelerating learning in the core capabilities required to develop and test a social enterprise by the end of the programme, ideas are ready to move confidently from concept into piloting.

The programme is primarily delivered online, with 5 in-person events and workshops (as detailed in the applicant guide).

Training & Support

The Ideas Academy is designed to help participants clearly articulate, refine, and progress their solutions to social challenges. The programme provides structured training and support to build essential skills, accelerate learning, and move from idea to action.

Over twelve weeks, participants engage in a mix of in-person and online sessions, including:

  • Core learning workshops to refine problem understanding, validate solutions, develop an action plan, and practice storytelling and pitching
  • Group discussions for deeper exploration of learnings and peer feedback and support
  • Networking opportunities with fellow social entrepreneurs and sector experts

The programme includes 5 in-person events: a selection workshop, a launch, two mid-programme events and a graduation ceremony. Participants also have access to ongoing support from our team and wider community.

Time-commitment

The programme requires a commitment of 3-6 hours per week, which includes your attendance at workshops and group discussions, as well as work you will action outside of these sessions.

Participants must attend all core learning workshops to successfully complete the programme.

Funding Available

At the end of the programme all participants have the opportunity to apply to pitch for a portion of pilot funding to further pilot their idea.

Who is it for?

Individuals with insight, lived experience and drive to solve social or environmental challenges.

What we offer

Workshops on understanding problems, refining solutions, piloting and storytelling and more;
Peer support from fellow social entrepreneurs;
Networking with a like-minded community;
The opportunity to pitch for pilot funding.

Key Dates

1

Applications

from 23rd March to 20th April 2026

“The Ideas Academy gave my business partner and me the space and structure we needed to move our idea from a vague concept to something ready for piloting. The cohort was wonderfully diverse and it was inspiring to learn alongside other social entrepreneurs on a similar journey. I would recommend the Ideas Academy to anyone with an early-stage idea who lacks confidence or the headspace to develop it.”

Beca WistreichThe Ideas Academy 2025

“I couldn't believe we were chosen out of 133 applications to be a part on the Ideas Academy. It was a moment of validation for us both that our project, that we are both so passionate about, was recognised as others as being something valuable. The programme itself has been full of learning, connection and growth. We both hope to continue our journey with SEI as we move forward.”

Caroline Lawless, Juggle StruggleThe Ideas Academy 2025

“The ideas programme provided me with a framework to hang both my ideas and my fellow social entrepreneurs' ideas about my project. It provided me with a concrete base, that gave me confidence to explore different paths . It provided a safe environment to thrash out ideas in a non-judgemental manner, and allowed business connections to develop organically as the weeks progressed. Learning was fun, interactive and I no longer felt isolated in my thoughts.”

John Philpott, Neurodevelopmental ClinicThe Ideas Academy 2025

“Trusting the process and realising that I'm never alone in this journey and knowing I have the entire SEI tribe to lean on, has been incredibly empowering.”

Gofran Shakair, Clever Cogs StudioThe Ideas Academy 2025

“Having the opportunity to learn from others who are on a similar journey to myself, as well as people who have completed the programme in the past, has had a significant impact on how I view my own Idea and what it is capable of in the best possible way. I have made so many super connections and the peer support has been amazing!”

Karina Murray, Conscious ConnectionsThe Ideas Academy 2024
“

The Ideas Academy gave my business partner and me the space and structure we needed to move our idea from a vague concept to something ready for piloting. The cohort was wonderfully diverse and it was inspiring to learn alongside other social entrepreneurs on a similar journey. I would recommend the Ideas Academy to anyone with an early-stage idea who lacks confidence or the headspace to develop it.

Beca WistreichThe Ideas Academy 2025
“

I couldn't believe we were chosen out of 133 applications to be a part on the Ideas Academy. It was a moment of validation for us both that our project, that we are both so passionate about, was recognised as others as being something valuable. The programme itself has been full of learning, connection and growth. We both hope to continue our journey with SEI as we move forward.

Caroline Lawless, Juggle StruggleThe Ideas Academy 2025
“

The ideas programme provided me with a framework to hang both my ideas and my fellow social entrepreneurs' ideas about my project. It provided me with a concrete base, that gave me confidence to explore different paths . It provided a safe environment to thrash out ideas in a non-judgemental manner, and allowed business connections to develop organically as the weeks progressed. Learning was fun, interactive and I no longer felt isolated in my thoughts.

John Philpott, Neurodevelopmental ClinicThe Ideas Academy 2025
“

Trusting the process and realising that I'm never alone in this journey and knowing I have the entire SEI tribe to lean on, has been incredibly empowering.

Gofran Shakair, Clever Cogs StudioThe Ideas Academy 2025
“

Having the opportunity to learn from others who are on a similar journey to myself, as well as people who have completed the programme in the past, has had a significant impact on how I view my own Idea and what it is capable of in the best possible way. I have made so many super connections and the peer support has been amazing!

Karina Murray, Conscious ConnectionsThe Ideas Academy 2024

Who is eligible?

  • Have a strong personal insight into, or a deep understanding of, a social or environmental problem
  • Have identified a social or environmental problem and a high-potential solution l to tackle it.
  • Be aged 18 years or over at the time of applying. If applying as a partnership, all applicants must meet this requirement.
  • Be the person/people leading on this idea/solution – the main driver(s) and decision maker(s).
  • Have a solution whose primary impact focus is in Ireland.
  • Be willing and able to commit to full attendance at all core Ideas Academy workshops sessions.
  • Be willing and able to commit to:
    • attending mandatory Selection Process and key Programme events (such as the launch) outlined in the programme guide; and
    • engaging with the programme for approximately of 3- 6 hours per week during the months of September – November

Note:Social Entrepreneurs Ireland does not support research projects, party-political projects or projects with an explicit religious or faith-based agenda. Projects motivated by personal beliefs but open and accessible to all communities are eligible.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and we are committed to providing equal opportunities regardless of gender identity, marital status, family status, age, disability, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity or religion. (The Equal Status Acts 2000-2018)