Context
ENFUSE is an initiative driven by Dublin City Council. It works in collaboration with universities, colleges, local enterprises and students enrolled in master’s programmes. Recognising the challenges faced by small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in a competitive market, ENFUSE aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry. This programme leverages the expertise of students while providing valuable support to local businesses.
The project was developed in response to concerns highlighted by the OECD regarding Irish SMEs. These businesses often struggle with innovation, limited resources and difficulty adapting to changing market conditions. Additionally, recent graduates face an uncertain job market, making practical experience even more crucial.
Objectives
The ENFUSE Project takes a collaborative approach to address the challenges faced by both enterprises and students. Its core objectives are to:
- support local enterprises with customised plans for innovation, growth and overcoming challenges;
- equip master’s students with industry experience and connections through real-world business projects;
- strengthen the local innovation ecosystem by fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange between universities, enterprises and other stakeholders.
Implementation
Dublin City Council manages and promotes ENFUSE with the cooperation of various stakeholders. The project is primarily resourced through in-kind contributions. Staff from Dublin City Council manage the programme, university lecturers supervise student teams and student teams conduct research and develop plans for their assigned enterprises. Participating enterprises collaborate with the student teams throughout the process. The programme estimates that Dublin City Council dedicates roughly 100 staff hours annually to manage ENFUSE, with a separate budget of €4000 allocated for hosting the annual ENFUSE Finals, where top student teams compete by pitching their plans to industry judges.
ENFUSE actively promotes itself to relevant stakeholders through various channels, including email campaigns, social media, a dedicated website page and collaboration with enterprise hubs and influencers.