Finalist

Fast Forward Entrepreneurship Educator of the Year Award

Lisa Ryan

Finalist of the Fast Forward Entrepreneurship Educator of the Year Award

Atlantic Technological University, Galway City - Ireland (Republic)

"Educate to Innovate Growing and Sustaining Agri- Food Entrepreneurship"


Engage on social media

@ATU_GalwayCity
(ATU official twitter)
#AtlanticTU
(ATU Hashtag)
@LisRyan_Nutri
(Dr Lisa Ryan’s individual twitter)
@miamcd
(Maria McDonagh’s individual twitter)
@AgriwomenAWARE
(Associated project twitter handle)

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Summary

In order to enhance and develop sustainable food systems for food production, educators need to consider novel methodologies that will support and nurture innovative thinking amongst their Agri- Food learners. Implementing strategies to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in this sector has been a priority for me and for the key personnel at the Atlantic Technological University. In 2016, I successfully applied for national funding to develop a programme that was designed to specifically meet the training needs of Agri-Food entrepreneurs. After securing funding for a number of Erasmus+ projects supporting the growth of entrepreneurship in the sector, the project teams and I introduced this novel type of training to over 30,000 Agri-Food stakeholders across several European countries. This has led to increased awareness of the need to support and grow entrepreneurs in this sector. The programme is unique as it is developed and delivered by academics, industry stakeholders and food entrepreneurs. This collaborative approach has enabled the team to develop a programme informed by industry, that is truly fit for purpose. Additionally, the programme has introduced a novel peer led training methodology (food entrepreneurs teaching food entrepreneurs). It moves away from the traditional style of classroom-based learning and promotes work-based learning, which focuses on the practical application of learning. This is embedded in the programme through several real-life industry challenges encouraging learners to put theory into practice i.e. “learning by doing”. It enables the learner to navigate the challenges of becoming a food entrepreneur in a very safe and supportive environment.

Key People


Maria McDonagh
Business Development Manager
Business Development Manager,  Atlantic Technological University, Galway City



Brendan Allen
Business Manager/Entrepreneur
Farmeye



Ronan Byrne
CEO/Owner
The Friendly Farmer


Acknowledgements

The Certificate in Food Innovation and Entrepreneurship is funded by the European Social Fund and is part of the Springboard initiative governed by the Higher Education Authority, Ireland.
The European projects are funded by the European Erasmus+ KA2 fund.
We have also had a number of research assistants on our projects, of particular note thanks go to Emma Finnegan and Emma Judge for all their contributions to further developing this work.

Images

IMPACT STORY

Impacting lifes

“Julia”, a professional chef, had a vision of delivering freshly cooked seafood along the very rural west coast of Ireland but admittedly lacked the confidence, know-how and finance to do so. Starting the programme, she had an idea of opening a ‘food truck’ which at the time (2016) was a relatively new concept. The training helped Julia navigate the various challenges of becoming an entrepreneur and took her business idea from concept stage to a viable business. “Through this programme, working with other students and listening to the fantastic business men and women - our lecturers, I have learnt the importance of conversation, sharing ideas and merging interests. I never really want this programme to end”. ‘Julia’s Lobster Truck’ is now one of the most renowned food trucks in Ireland. Utilsing her new-found confidence and business acumen, Julia has pushed herself outside her comfort zone, secured funding and has become a regular at the most popular Irish festivals. Her beautiful, recognisable turquoise truck is also nestled along the Irish west coast every weekend with a long line of regulars waiting for her gourmet seafood. Julia was inspired by the innovative peer led training approach. She found it motivating to learn from those who had overcome the various barriers and challenges and found the network of peers developed as part of the course hugely supportive as she launched her business. Julia, a true advocate of this type of training, now gives her time to mentor our current students on the programme.

LEARNINGS

Lessons learned

One of the key learnings from developing this programme is the clear need for more collaboration between academia and industry. Contributions from food entrepreneurs and industry were invaluable when developing the programme. They provided industry insights and knowledge that we, as academics, did not have access to. This resulted in us developing a programme that was fit for purpose with the learners’ training needs at its core. Introducing peer-led training by involving food entrepreneurs in the delivery of the programme makes the training highly unique and innovative. Learner feedback has indicated this is hugely successful as food entrepreneurs are more likely to engage and learn from other food entrepreneurs. Their mentoring is inspiring to learners. It provides learners with access to a network and collaborative opportunities.
Customer discovery is also vital. Through engaging with the learners, stakeholders and graduates we have become more aware of the very specific challenges facing this sector across Europe. The current Covid19 pandemic brought further challenges and saw rural food producers suffer great loss as many lacked the knowledge and skills to take their food business online. Through feedback sessions, networking and project events we are continuously discovering our learners’ needs and listening to what they want from training. We refine and develop the programme based on what they tell us they need and not what we think they want. This type of education has created a collaborative community of like-minded people that have a shared goal of achieving a secure and fair food system.

FUTURE PLANS

What's coming?

Integrating specifically tailored and innovative entrepreneurial training into curricula is a priority for the key personnel at the Atlantic Technological University (ATU). We have recently learned that the Certificate in Food Innovation and Entrepreneurship programme will be funded for an additional three years indicating the importance and need for this type of training. The programme team are also preparing to develop the course into a full Maters programme which will be designed in collaboration with industry.
The team have recently launched an Erasmus+ funded European project that will focus on digitally upskilling entrepreneurs in the Agri-Food sector to enable them to take their business online. The project will provide learners and educators with the knowledge, skills and resources required to embrace the digital era and make it relevant to the sector. This project is a follow-on project to a suite of international projects developed by the team at ATU in the area of Agri-Food entrepreneurship. The overarching objective of all projects is to ensure the sustainability and longevity of Europe’s Agri- Food sector.
Research has always been at the forefront of my career, and I continue to publish in the areas of Agri- Food entrepreneurship. The programme team are currently analysing a range of data from various research activities associated with the programme and European projects. The team will be publishing a body of work in this area over the coming years with the aim of growing awareness of the need to sustain entrepreneurship in this sector.


KEY STATISTICS

200

Irish Food entrepreneurs have engaged in the programme

46%

Graduates have launched a successful food business

20

Food Entrepreneurs and Stakeholders have contributed to the development and delivery of the programme

40

Educators from across Europe attended associated teaching and training events enabling knowledge transfer

30,000

Stakeholders across Europe’s agri-food sector have been informed about peer led training and work-based learning and have access to the learning materials

300+

European Food entrepreneurs have engaged in research activities associated with the programme

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