IGNITE is an incubation centre in University College Cork for higher education graduates of any discipline to:

• create jobs by nurturing entrepreneurship
• accelerate business start-ups 
• turn innovative ideas into innovative products and services
• participate in a structured programme on all aspects of bringing a product or service to market

IGNITE provides start-up funding and FREE:

·         Access to further funding opportunities

·         Business incubation space in a top-class facility

·         Individual business mentoring from leading entrepreneurs

·         A comprehensive Start Your Own Business Programme

·         Guidance from UCC Entrepreneur ‘Coaches on Campus’

·         Regular networking events and access to key entrepreneur networks

·         Access to UCC’s academic, research and commercialisation expertise

·         Membership of Cork Chamber

·         Preferential membership rates at the Mardyke Sports Arena

The University does not take an equity stake in the participants’ businesses. On completion of the IGNITE programme, all  entrepreneurs get a further 6 months office space free-of-charge at the National Software Centre in Mahon in Cork.

IGNITE’s primary funders are Cork City Council, Cork County Council, Cork County & City Enterprise Boards and Bank of Ireland. IGNITE is also supported by Bord Gáis, EMC, the UCC Food Industry Partnership Board, ICGEE (International Centre for Graduate Education in Micro & Nano Engineering) and INSPIRE (Integrated NanoScience Platform for Ireland) at Tyndall National Institute, the National Software Centre, CorkBIC, Cork Chamber, PFH and IBS.