In a bustling kickoff to the summer, Queen's University Belfast proudly launched its much-anticipated startup accelerator program, aptly named "QUest." The program, designed to transform entrepreneurial dreams into reality by ensuring there is a strong market fit, commenced with a dynamic two-day boot camp on June 21^st & 22nd, 2023. Attendees included a diverse mix of student and graduate teams, each armed with visionary ideas and an eagerness to make their mark on the business world.

QUest's opening event was described as ‘intense’, ‘insightful’, ‘enjoyable’, ‘supportive’ and ‘beneficial’ by participants, as the university's campus buzzed with the excitement of innovation and possibility. The bootcamp was held on campus in the Ashby Building, bringing together all the participants who were ready to embark on an intensive journey of learning, networking, and growth.

The driving force behind QUest's Bootcamp was the collaboration between Queen's University Belfast and The Helix Way. Esteemed coaches from The Helix Way bring their wealth of experience to the table, offering personalized guidance and mentorship to the budding entrepreneurs. From crafting effective business strategies to later honing their pitching skills, the teams receive unparalleled insights that promised to set them on a trajectory toward success.

The boot camp was just the first step of the journey. Over the upcoming months, the selected startups will undergo a supportive acceleration process, fine-tuning their business models, speaking to customers, developing their ideas and perfecting their pitches.

Any queries about the QUest programme please contact Laura McGirr, l.mcgirr@qub.ac.uk