As the Student Entrepreneurship Programme Manager at Tangent, Trinity’s Ideas workspace, I have spent over four years developing programmes and systems that empower student innovation and value creation within our university-based innovation community. My approach emphasizes openness and accessibility over control and exclusivity, drawing on the insights of Brad Feld and Ian Hathaway's "The Startup Community Way." My entrepreneurial leadership style is primarily characterized by three competencies from the EntreComp Framework: Taking the Initiative, Motivation & Perseverance, and Ethical & Sustainable Thinking. These competencies have been evident in various ways throughout my work.

For example, I took the initiative to develop the first iteration of our digital platform, to increase the accessibility of our programmes. I then persevered to co-develop a new system with TheStartup.com that better served the needs of our student innovators. Throughout this process, I was guided by ethical and sustainable thinking, as exemplified by the name I chose: the "Open Incubator." By fostering a strong social fabric, we aim to support a more long-term and sustainable approach to student entrepreneurship programming.

The impact of our work has been significant, drawing over 2,000 users between our 1st “Tangent Online” Blackboard module and our 2nd “Open Incubator” platform with TheStartup.com. Our programs supported top student startups, elevating Tangent and Trinity College Dublin's profile at the local, national, and international level. My goal is to democratize entrepreneurship, providing equal access to knowledge and opportunity, supporting minorities and future leaders. Our 3rd generation platform will be available nationwide in 2023.

Joseph Lanzillotta
Student Entrepreneurship Programme Manager
Tangent, Trinity’s Ideas Workspace,  Trinity College Dublin



Zaur Unsizade
Student Acceleration Programme Manager
Tangent, Trinity’s Ideas Workspace,  Trinity College Dublin



Gavan Drohan
Head of Entrepreneurship
Tangent, Trinity’s Ideas Workspace,  Trinity College Dublin

I would like to acknowledge and thank the Human Capital Initiative (HCI) for funding the development and expansion of the Open Incubator. Without this financial support the impact we have been able to achieve would not have been possible and the potential we have ahead of us would not exist.