From graduate talent to innovation leaders: the ESB Innov8rs Programme
In collaboration with ESB’s graduate innovation programme, the ESB Innov8rs project encompasses an innovative entrepreneurship approach to motivate and inspire graduates within ESB to lead the way, with the aim of becoming key future problem solvers for the state-owned Irish energy company.
Over three intensive sprints, 40 graduates worked across business units, engaged with stakeholders, and transformed problem statements into pitch-ready business cases.
Sprint 1: understanding the challenge
The first sprint focused on identifying meaningful problems and understanding the people affected by them. Teams worked to define their challenge areas and map the stakeholders connected to each issue. This stage encouraged graduates to look beyond assumptions and develop a deeper understanding of the energy sector and the challenges facing the business.
Participants highlighted:
- Exposure to innovation practices
- Greater understanding of energy-sector challenges
- Opportunities to collaborate with peers from different parts of ESB
Sprint 2: customer discovery and validation
With problem statements established, teams moved into validation. Graduates engaged with internal and external stakeholders to test their assumptions and gather feedback. Through customer interviews and stakeholder conversations, they explored whether their ideas addressed genuine needs and identified potential solutions.
This phase helped participants learn how to validate assumptions, adapt ideas based on feedback, engage effectively with stakeholders and work collaboratively to refine solutions. Customer interviews and real-world stakeholder engagement were among the most valuable aspects of the programme.
Sprint 3: Building the Business Case
The final sprint brought together everything participants had learned. Teams developed business cases for their proposed solutions, combining customer insights, stakeholder feedback, and solution concepts into compelling proposals. They then prepared and refined their pitches for final presentation.
Alongside the sprint activities, graduates participated in a series of workshops and learning sessions designed to strengthen their understanding of innovation and business development.
These included:
- A visit to the ESB trading desk
- A session with successful entrepreneur Sabrina Palme, who shared her experience of developing and advancing a solution idea through a similar process
- A talk from ESB Head of Innovation Derek Hynes
At the end of each sprint, teams presented their work and received feedback. The programme culminated in a final presentation event where each team pitched its solution to a panel of judges. The winning team earned the opportunity to present its idea directly to ESB leadership, including Deputy CEO Marguerite Sayers and HR CEO Sinead Kilkenny.
The event marked the conclusion of months of learning, collaboration, and problem-solving, while demonstrating the potential of graduate-led innovation within the organisation.
Building the next generation of innovators
From the outset, the programme was designed to promote innovation across ESB while supporting graduates’ personal and professional development.
Its goals included:
- Providing exposure to innovation both inside and outside ESB
- Developing creativity and innovation skills
- Increasing understanding of different areas of the business
- Building knowledge of ESB’s portfolio and operations
- Supporting personal development
- Strengthening teamwork and collaboration
By combining practical challenges with customer-focused learning and business case development, ESB Innov8rs gave graduates the opportunity to move beyond theory and experience innovation first-hand. The result was not only a set of new business ideas, but a group of graduates better equipped to contribute to ESB’s future innovation journey.