Accenture's Leaders of Tomorrow Award for 2016 is open for applicants. Here is Alastair Blair CMD Accenture (right) with the 2015 winner Darragh Kirby, via Fennell Photography
Accenture’s annual Leaders of Tomorrow Award is officially open for applicants – the winner picks up a spot on the NDRC LaunchPad accelerator programme.
Now in its ninth year, Accenture’s 2016 Leaders of Tomorrow programme is open to students and newly-qualified graduates from third level institutions throughout Ireland.
Not just picking up a spot in the NDRC LaunchPad, the overall winner will also have the option of a six-month Accenture Internship to follow, as well as a tour of one of Accenture’s global innovation centres.
Applications are welcome until 6 December, which can be submitted via video, if preferred.
“We are looking for motivated graduates with innovative business ideas, the ability to turn them into a commercial reality, and the courage to go out there and make the concept work,” said Alastair Blair, country managing director for Accenture Ireland.
“The idea might not be fully thought-out yet, or the business could be up and running; either way we want to hear from applicants at whatever stage.”
“We will operate an open-door policy to allow them to come in and get advice from our experts in areas such as legal, technology, marketing and accounting, so they can get practical know-how on setting up a business. There are brilliant people with brilliant ideas coming out of all of the universities and institutes across Ireland and we want to hear from them.”
Globally, Accenture is on a major drive to find the next wave of entrepreneurs. The company just announced a $5m grant for Youth Business International (YBI).
This will lead to the establishment of approximately 10,000 start-ups worldwide, and create more than 16,000 associated jobs.
“Entrepreneurs around the world are increasingly operating online. YBI needs a network that reflects this shift, embraces digital and drives scalability and efficiency in its support for disadvantaged youth,” said Jill Huntley, MD of Accenture’s global corporate citizenship.
“By helping YBI increase the size and impact of its network, more young aspiring entrepreneurs will gain the skills they need to start and grow businesses, potentially creating new jobs.”
