SETU students, 44 in total, competed in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) coffee shop simulation game, part of the HEA-funded programme, developing entrepreneurial skills, with top teams recognised at the prizegiving.
The initiative formed part of the Developing SDG-Driven Entrepreneurship culture across Ireland project, carried out in collaboration with University College Cork (UCC).
A total of 44 students from the Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Agricultural Science programme completed a business simulation game as part of their Rural Entrepreneurship module, with their lecturer Rachel O’Dowd at SETU. Their participation in the virtual coffee shop simulation game also fulfils one of the metrics on the Balanced and Enhanced Collaboration for an Entrepreneurship Ecosystem (BECEE), a transformative initiative aimed at fostering entrepreneurial talent and strengthening innovation capacity across Europe.
Business simulation game
The students, working in multiple teams, were responsible for establishing, operating, and managing a small coffee shop. They oversaw all aspects of the business, from strategy and operations to leadership, running the shop as they would a real enterprise. Throughout the simulation, they focused on delivering excellent customer service, achieving profitability, and addressing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) challenges, while ensuring high-quality customer service and profitability.
Excellence rewarded for simulation success
SETU students were recognised for their outstanding performance in the SDG coffee shop simulation. Eleanor Kent, Head of the Department of Land Sciences, presented the awards, with Prof. Helen Hughes, Academic Enterprise Liaison, also in attendance.
"Sugar and Grind", led by Abbie Graham, Kayanna Greene, Claire Doyle, and Niamh Lambert, claimed first prize. "Live4Coffee", featuring Niamh Furlong, Sean Clery, Diarmuid Kinane, David Prendergast, and Cathal King, won second prize. "Pilatte", made up of Ava Caplice, Kate Whelton, Sinead Coakley, Olivia Malone, and Maeve O’Flynn, received third prize.
SDG Entrepreneurship
The event was coordinated by Jane Foster, Rural Hubs Programme Support Officer and supported by Brian Ogilvie, Head of Entrepreneurship and Rural Engagement at SETU. The business simulation game formed part of a broader HEA funded initiative delivered in collaboration with University College Cork.
The wider project included a number of initiatives aimed at embedding sustainability and entrepreneurship across the university. These comprised an SDG-focused Hackathon series, a coffee shop simulation game, a digital badge in SDG Entrepreneurship for staff and students, and a masterclass in SDG Entrepreneurship.
SETU’s sustainability department supported the wider project, recognising their value in fostering innovation and advancing the university’s sustainability goals.
For more information, please contact Jane Foster at [email protected].
