Student Enterprise Programme (Ireland)
An Ireland-based entrepreneurship competition where students create, develop and operate a real student business. Open to secondary-school students through participating schools, with Junior, Intermediate and Senior categories. Rated Advanced Level, with difficulty mainly coming from business planning, product development, sales, financial management and competitive judging.
Verified information
Competition details can change. Always confirm dates, eligibility and entry requirements on the official organiser's website.
Official website ↗OVERALL COMPETITION LEVEL
Advanced Level
5 evaluation dimensions have source-backed automatic scores; 0 dimensions need conflict review.
Competition overview
Key information
Eligible ages
12–19
School level
Second-level students
Registration method
School Only
Competition stages
School mini-company, local county competitions, national final
Fee
Not yet announced by the organiser
Online / in-person
Hybrid
Dates
Competition timeline
Registration opens
1 Sept 2026
Registration closes
31 Oct 2026
Competition starts
6 May 2027
Competition ends
6 May 2027
Editorial perspective
Our Take
Key Dates Programme Begins 1st September 2026 School Registration Deadline October 2026 Autumn/Winter In-School Workshops September – December 2026 Christmas Trade Fairs December 2026 Spring In-School Workshops February-April 2027 County Finals February-March 2027 Deadline for National Final Entries 2027 8th April 2027 National Final 2027 6h May 2027
Preparation support
Recommended resources
Student Enterprise Programme Rules
Open resource ↗Official eligibility, team, product, trading and national final requirements.
Official · Free · Rules and regulations · Essential
Student Resources
Open resource ↗Official tools for developing the idea, researching customers and building the business.
Official · Free · Business planning resources · Essential
Senior Category Resources
Open resource ↗Official materials for finance, business reports, presentation and senior-level judging.
Official · Free · Senior programme resources · Recommended
Student Enterprise Marking Scheme
Open resource ↗Official judging breakdown for targeting evidence, commercial thinking and pitch quality.
Official · Free · Judging criteria · Essential
Source information
Related competitions
Science & Research · Advanced Level