Supporting Catalyst to maximise the benefits of entrepreneurship education in Northern Ireland

Context

Unlocking Innovative Potential is a UKRI-funded project led by Innovation Growth Lab (IGL, based at Nesta and the Barcelona School of Economics) to evaluate barriers to innovation in the UK. The overall aim of the project is to “provide robust evidence on the outcomes and best practices for effective interventions that could provide useful evidence for UK science and innovation policy.”

As part of this, Innovation Growth Lab has worked with Catalyst, an independent, non-profit science and technology hub in Belfast and Derry-Londonderry to develop Hello Possible, a pilot programme designed to introduce adults across Northern Ireland to Bill Aulet’s Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework.

Approach

IGL carried out a randomised controlled trial to assess the programme’s impact, whilst Qa undertook qualitative research via online in-depth interviews with participants of Hello Possible, Catalyst staff and stakeholders. Interviews covered experiences with the programme, barriers to participation, impact on attitude and behaviours and suggestions for future development, alongside exploring the role that the programme might play in the broader ecosystem in Northern Ireland.

Outcome

Qa produced a report detailing participants’ experiences with different modes of delivery, the skills learned, and suggestions for improvement, along with insight from staff and stakeholders on how to roll out and scale Hello Possible in future. These insights have highlighted how the programme can be strengthened beyond the pilot stage to maximise positive outcomes.

For more information contact:

Alice Masterson

alice.masterson@qaresearch.co.uk

Photography: Image by Unsplash