Queen’s University Belfast announced as Lead Educational Partner for Young Enterprise Northern Ireland’s flagship Company Programme
Young Enterprise Northern Ireland has announced a new strategic partnership with Queen’s University Belfast, which will see the university become the Lead Educational Partner for its flagship Company Programme.
It will allow Young Enterprise NI’s highest profile entrepreneurship initiative, that gives young people aged 15-19 the opportunity to set up and run their own real business, to continue to flourish.
The collaboration builds on a long-standing relationship between Young Enterprise NI and the university within Northern Ireland’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, where previous programme alumni have gone on to participate in Queen’s enterprise and innovation initiatives.
The new partnership will strengthen pathways for young entrepreneurs to develop their skills and confidence from school through to higher education and beyond.
Spanning one academic year, the Company Programme enables students to experience every stage of the business start-up process, from developing a product concept and raising capital to marketing, sales, and financial management.
Participants gain first-hand experience of what it takes to run a business, preparing them for future employment and enterprise opportunities.
As Lead Educational Partner, Queen’s will play an active role in the programme through its ‘Meet the Expert’ sessions, where professionals from across the university’s academic and business community will share their expertise in areas such as leadership, finance, marketing, sales, and presentation skills.
Queen’s will also host the Company Programme Final in March 2026, bringing together some of Northern Ireland’s most innovative and entrepreneurial young minds.
Commenting on the partnership, Carol Fitzsimons MBE, Chief Executive of Young Enterprise Northern Ireland, said:
“We are delighted to welcome Queen’s University Belfast as our Lead Educational Partner for the Company Programme. This partnership represents an exciting next step in our shared ambition to nurture the next generation of Northern Ireland’s business leaders.
“Queen’s has been a long-standing supporter of our work, and the university’s involvement brings a depth of expertise that will further enhance the student experience.
“Together, we can inspire young people to see entrepreneurship not just as a skillset, but as a mindset that can open doors to a world of opportunity.”
Dr Ryan Feeney,Vice President and Registrar at Queen’s,
added:
“Queen’s is committed to empowering young people with the skills, knowledge and confidence to make a real impact in the economy and wider society. Partnering with Young Enterprise Northern Ireland as Lead Educational Partner for the Company Programme allows us to play an active role in developing entrepreneurial talent at an earlier stage in the education journey.
“Through this collaboration, we are connecting school students with our academic and business experts, providing inspiration and practical insight that will help shape the innovators and leaders of tomorrow.”
Each year, the Company Programme helps thousands of young people across Northern Ireland discover their entrepreneurial potential. The addition of Queen’s as Lead Educational Partner marks a significant milestone in its evolution and its continued commitment to driving enterprise education across the region.
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