We were delighted to attend Generation Innovation’s annual event at Titanic Belfast on Tuesday evening. In all, twenty two of Northern Ireland’s top science and technology entrepreneurs attended to inspire 150 ambitious students nominated as ‘most likely to succeed in the new economy’. We asked event chair Lynsey Mallon to write a guest post detailing Generation Innovation and we’ve posted it below.
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Generation Innovation was delighted to have secured Danny Moore as the keynote speaker at this year’s annual networking event held last Tuesday night at Titanic Belfast. Over 120 pupils from schools all over Northern Ireland gathered together at the prestigious Titanic building for Northern Ireland’s most high profile networking event for young people who want to make a difference. It was a real opportunity for Northern Ireland’s business community and established entrepreneurs to contribute to Northern Ireland’s economic transformation by helping to attract and develop the business leaders and entrepreneurs of the future. It is Generation Innovation’s dream that by combining key speakers, key messages and local entrepreneurs with the 200 lower sixth pupils most likely to succeed in the new economy it will change lives forever. Northern Ireland has a proud history of innovation and entrepreneurship, once leading the world in shipbuilding and linen making as well as being the birthplace of many life changing inventions that literally changed the world. This is a title that we need to reclaim.
It is a widely held view in Northern Ireland that ‘bright’ pupils are pushed to consider ‘safe’ careers in the professions of law, accounting or medicine and that the innovation is ‘taught out of them’. However as this recession has demonstrated there is no such thing as a ‘safe’ career and the most exciting and rewarding opportunities now exist with companies pioneering new products and services in the knowledge economy or solving the world’s major problems be they in communication, health, energy, environment, transport or food and water supply. Knowledge sector jobs are typically higher paid and ultimately result in greater wealth and economic prosperity for the whole region. It is also a fact that every year a high percentage of Northern Ireland’s academic achievers leave to study at premier universities in GB or Ireland only returning to NI during holidays to visit friends and family. Until now no mechanism has existed to identify, influence and develop a lasting relationship with our brightest talent before, during and after they leave.
Then we have those kids whose parents recognise that they might not score the best marks in their exams so they are pushed to become the next George Best or Rory McIlroy! Generation Innovation also recognises that high academic achievement alone is absolutely not a guarantee of success. Some of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs do not have a formal qualification to their name but will allude to their time spent at the “university of life”. With increasing university fees and crippling student debt it is understandable that this is an attractive option for many and something to be exploited. Therefore the programme will also explore opportunities for children who are identified as ‘high potential with the right stuff’ by their school regardless of grade and children from disadvantaged communities with the “gift of the gab” will be specifically targeted.
Generation Innovation aims to make knowledge economy careers and entrepreneurship *THE* aspiration for all of Northern Ireland’s young.
Becoming a member of Generation Innovation is the first proactive step for many of Northern Ireland’s talented young people to further their career while helping to develop Northern Ireland’s economy. Along with exclusive invites to a number of annual high profile ‘Generation Innovation’ Networking Events, members of the network will be invited to join the Generation Innovation Facebook group which allows members to be inspired by and network with young entrepreneurs with a hunger to succeed in the knowledge based economy; gain access to and have the unique opportunity to be guided by some of Northern Ireland’s top business people from a range of companies based in Northern Ireland and across the globe; and to seek out internships and valuable business relationships to help develop knowledge and expertise. As members careers develop they will have the opportunity to give back to the ‘Generation Innovation’ who will succeed them. Whether based in Northern Ireland or further afield members will be able to share experiences and provide advice to those just starting out.
In conclusion, Generation Innovation is about being inspired and ultimately becoming an inspiration, all with the aim of encouraging more young innovators to take the plunge and consider careers in the knowledge sector or to start their own businesses for the benefit of Northern Ireland’s economy.