MSc TechInnovation

at National University of Ireland Galway

The following topics and will be covered in our taught modules and expanded with regard to a selected idea/innovation/need:

• Introduction to innovation/needs finding
• Primary market research and data triangulation
• Problem areas and existing solutions
• Area analysis and stakeholders
• Weighing factors and filtering needs
• Needs presentation by individual students and associated poster
• Team formation on selected need
• Needs brainstorming and introduction to product design
• Organising and selecting concepts
• Go-to-market basics
• Legal affairs basics
• Business models
• Presentation on concept development overview
• Research and development strategy
• Exploration of prototyping facilities
• Exploration of technology development
• Intellectual property strategy
• Financial modelling
• Prototype evaluation design
• Go-to-market strategy
• Funding sources; venture capital and angel funding
• Quality systems and assurance
• Licensing and alternate pathways

In an Innovation Project, students will work in teams on identifying a real-world problem in a particular domain that requires an insightful technological solution, inventing and implementing the solution, demonstrating its validity and commercial viability (and iteratively improving the solution if necessary), and developing pitches for angel and venture capital funding to allow commercialisation (post-programme). Therefore, work should focus on the startup businesses themselves, the potential for licenses, Enterprise Ireland funding proposals, and business models ready for first-stage investment. Domain areas may include, although are not limited to, tourism, agriculture, marine, fintech, defence, manufacturing, environment, transport, logistics and retail.

Year 1 (90 Credits)

• Required GS5105: TechInnovate I: Needs Finding to Concept Generation
• Required EI5101: TechInnovate III: Innovation Project
• Required EI5102: TechInnovate IV: Minor Dissertation
• Required GS5106: TechInnovate II: Concept Development and Implementation

Applicants should normally hold a qualification from a university or other internationally recognised academic institution or authority, corresponding to Level 8 of the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), to a minimum standard of Second Class Honours (or equivalent). It is expected that successful applicants will come from a variety of academic disciplines.

Fees: EU
€7,690 p.a. 2021/22

Fees: Tuition
€7,466 p.a. 2021/22

Fees: Student levy
€224 p.a. 2021/22

Fees: Non EU
€23,750 p.a. 2021/22

This course is suitable for those who have a business idea and wish to explore the full potential through a structured approach. It will help to guide students and increase their skills, to share best practices in entrepreneurship and to accelerate innovation maturation and transfer into business. It will ideally place students to fill the entrepreneurial need in the West of Ireland and equip graduates with the skills required to become integral members of innovation driven enterprises. Programme participants will have the benefit of an experienced team who will help them to meet their goals in terms of entrepreneurial and innovation skills acquisition.