The Student Enterprise Programme (SEP) is one of Ireland’s largest and most respected entrepreneurship initiatives for second-level students. It gives young people the opportunity to experience the full journey of setting up and running a real business, from generating an idea and conducting market research to producing, marketing, and selling a product or service. Students develop essential skills such as teamwork, financial management, communication, and problem-solving, all while gaining first-hand insight into innovation and enterprise in the real world.
Participation in the SEP involves months of dedication. Students must refine their ideas, create business plans, manage budgets, and present their ventures to judges at local, county, and regional levels. Progressing through each stage requires not only a strong concept but also evidence of impact, creativity, and commercial viability.
For a 5th year enterprise team like “Jack it Up,” being selected to represent Wexford in the Senior Category of the SEP National Final is a significant achievement. It reflects the quality, originality, and real-world relevance of their product: an innovative, patented portable ramp designed to reduce inequality and improve accessibility for wheelchair users. Their project goes beyond business—it addresses a genuine social need, demonstrating empathy, awareness, and a commitment to inclusive design, and was produced to the teams plans and specifications thanks to the engineering excellence and "Jack it Up" teams partnership with Kents Stainless.
Reaching the national final places “Jack it Up” among the top student enterprises in the country. It is recognition of their hard work, ingenuity, and ability to turn an idea into a meaningful solution. Competing at this level offers them a platform to showcase their product on a national stage, gain valuable feedback from industry experts, and potentially open doors for future development. Most importantly, it highlights how young entrepreneurs can make a tangible difference in society.
