The Next Big Change (NBC) is a competition run by MTU’s Hincks Centre for Entrepreneurship Excellence and the School of Business, thanks to funding from the Innovation and Enterprise Office at MTU. This competition is open to all students from MTU, and QQI students from colleges participating in the MTU College Progression Scheme.

The NBC competition is set to inspire students to think about the next big idea which will improve the lives of individuals, communities, the environment, the region and / or the world! This idea could be a new or significantly improved:

• Technology
• Product
• Service
• Market

The idea should address at least one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

 

 

Simply fill out the form, describing the idea and who/what it will benefit, what SDG/s the idea addresses and a link to a poster that communicates the elements of the idea. We suggest using Canva to design the poster including a graphic on the SDG/s that the idea addresses.

You will be in with a chance to win "Best Idea" or "Greatest Impact" as well as a chance to win €€€ prizes.

Enter as many ideas as you like (one idea per application form).

The competition is open to individuals and teams (to a maximum of four per team).

Finalists will be chosen from all entries. 

 

BE IN WITH A CHANCE TO WIN PRIZES!

 

Best Idea - €300 and two runner-up prizes of €150 each
Greatest Impact - €200 and two runner- up prizes of €100 each

 

APPLICATIONS FOR NBC 2024 ARE NOW CLOSED.

 

 

 

 

This is a competition and, by entering the competition, applicants are making their idea public but maintain the IP rights associated with that idea. However, if an idea is a result of a funded research project (state or private company) the IP may be owned by a 3rd Party.

 

For any queries please contact Rebecca.Robinson@mtu.ie and include NBC in the subject line.

 

websites of interest

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE

• https://www.socialentrepreneurs.ie/
• https://www.socialenterprise.ie/
• https://www.socent.ie/
• https://rethinkireland.ie/

 

NATIONAL COMPETITIONS

• https://www.ibye.ie/
• https://www.ey.com/en_ie/entrepreneur-of-the-year
• https://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/student-entrepreneur-awards/

 

VOLUNTEERING

• https://www.youth.ie/
• https://spunout.ie/

 

IDEAS & CREATIVE THINKING

• https://www.ideo.com/
• https://www.ted.com/talks
• https://www.mentimeter.com/blog/audience-energizers/icebreakers-to-kick-start-creative-thinking
• https://blog.hubspot.com/agency/ted-talks-creativity

 

CLIMATE CHANGE

• https://www.epa.ie/
• https://irelandsdg.geohive.ie/
• https://www.earthday.org/
• https://www.friendsoftheearth.ie/
• https://www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/244355/1c421172-2901-4f9e-baa5-6e4445b342f4.pdf#page=null
• https://www.undp.org/publications/climate-dictionary

 

 

NBC in the Hincks Centre's News

• Next Big Change - Competition Launched: APPLICATIONS OPEN! 23 January, 2023.

• Next Big Change Competition Final - Congratulations to All Participants. 31 March, 2023.

• It's Competition Time! - Next Big Change - Applications OPEN. 7 February, 2024