Hightop Hub

29/03/2026

29/03/2026

30 young people aged 16-25 from across the region were given the space, tools and support to build solutions that matter to them and guess what? They weren't all tech or business studies students.

They're into art, gaming, sport, music, social activism, media etc. Some of them also work and see the problems in the areas they work in.

They care about their communities, people, places, their futures and they have ideas and solutions.

They built fully working prototypes using AI tools. This is tech for good and responsible building:

🚀 A better way to ensure students get their first choice for A level subjects.
💚 A solution that ensures better mental health and wellbeing for teachers and teaching assistants.
🌟 A student led movement that keeps the learning environment alive and thriving when teachers are off sick.
🎇 Ways to connect artists and paying customers for a stronger creative industries sector.
🎥 An easier way to find the crew you need for productions so that young people get practical experience and paid work.
🟥 Gaming tools designed by young gamers for the gaming community.
🌎 A solution that clears the barriers to employment in gaming by creating informed pathways into skills development, experience and paid employment.
🏅 An injury management solution that ensures young people can still train safely for their sports through customised training programmes and nutrition plans.
⚡A cross-trade platform that enables better planning and workplan scheduling across all relevant trades on the job.
👯 Tackling social isolation in young people by collating live feeds on the things you can do in the region into one place and calling for specific things that young people want.
📰 Better information around media content, from whom and from what angle and a solution to track what politicians say they're going to do in their manifestos and what they actually do.

This wouldn't be possible without:
The young people themselves- thanks for having the confidence to turn up
Thanks to you all for sharing the posts and news about the Build Day
Ava McGurk & Lucy Daly for hosting and driving the whole design and flow of the day
Claire Halliday (Illuminate Labs) Aoife Heaney Eimear Kerlin (The AMP Growth Incubator) the powerhouses that sourced and provided the space, tech, food, swag, prizes that created the best environment to build
Our volunteers who supported, challenged and inspired the teams on the day Shaughan Dowds Katherine Rowlandson Declan McDonough doherty Patrick Curran Stephen McCrudden Carolyn Perkins MRCVS

We'll showcase and celebrate this, AND MORE, at TechTides in the autumn!

Thank you to our incredible partners - Patch Illuminate Labs The AMP Growth Incubator KIPPIE C.I.C. Pebble (PBL) LTD Young Social Innovators TechTides

24/03/2026

IMPORTANT UPDATE- 4 places left! This is a great opportunity for 20 young people in our city and region to build up some accredited skills and experience for their CV and prospects for work from EY Microsoft Kippie Hightop Hub. Tues 24 March - the session runs from 4.30-6.30pm in Kippie Offices on Spencer Road up above Select Kids (113-115 Spencer Road BT47 6AD). Please register on the link below.

AI is already part of the world we live in... so lets understand how to use it ethically.

We’re running a FREE AI Skills Course (Ages 16–25), accredited by EY & Microsoft, designed to help you understand how AI works, how it’s being used today, and how to approach it responsibly.

This course is about giving you the knowledge to:
✨ Understand what AI actually is (and isn’t)
✨ Think critically about how it’s used
✨ Explore how it can support real-world problems in a fair and responsible way

Whether you plan to use AI a lot, a little, or just want to understand it better - this course gives you the context to make informed choices and engage with it on your own terms.

📍 Course Details
5 modules (around 2 hours each)
Ages 16–25
First session: In person at the Kippie Studio in Derry.
📅 Tuesday 24th | ⏰ 4:30–6:30pm

After that, you can:
✔️ Attend in person
✔️ Join online
✔️ Or complete in your own time

👉 Sign up: https://luma.com/cgbnasg

13/03/2026

This kind of stuff helps young people:

- Build confidence
- Enhance their chances of getting a job
- Start their own business
- Widen their social circle

And they're fun to be part of!

Links to register and take part ⬇️

These opportunities are all available here in Derry~Londonderry for young people from across the North West throughout March and there is no cost to participate.

Access to laptops is provided and both locations are close to Foyle Street bus station and the train station.

We've been sharing with social enterprise, community and voluntary and faith based organisations, schools and colleges, training organisations and with families but we need your help to share.

Please help us reach and engage more young people to invite them to take part.

Big up to our partners - Kippie Patch The AMP Growth Incubator Young Social Innovators EY Sparks DC

1. FREE - Accredited Course: AI Skills Passport (EY & Microsoft)
When: Tuesday 24 March 4.30pm-6.30pm
Where: Kippie Offices, 1st Floor 113-115 Spencer Rd, Waterside BT47 6AD
Who: Aged 16-25 from across North West
Access to laptops and computers provided
Places are limited to 20
Register: https://luma.com/cgbnasg2?locale=en-GB

2. FREE- Business Club: Build Something Great (Patch, Hightop, AMP & YSI)
When: All Day Saturday 28 March 10am-6pm
Where: AMP Building 80/81, Ebrington Sq, BT47 6FA
Who: Aged 16-21 from across North West (Come as individuals or as a group)
Lunch and access to laptops provided
Only 15 places left:
Register: https://luma.com/bc5gd97h

3. SURVEY - Have Your Say With Sparks DC
How do you want to find out about music, sport, art, work experience, tech and entrepreneurship opportunities etc.?
Why: A group of young social entrepreneurs called Sparks DC are building a solution to create awareness of what’s happening around the city and region and they need your feedback.
Who: Aged 11-19 in Derry City and Strabane District Council area
Follow Sparks DC and Complete The Survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc7B0X6Uj_RlC7RmZ29nY6fSsiYflPoguUCYyYAB1TIVvY9JA/viewform?pli=1&pli=1

11/03/2026

Hightop is bringing Patch to Derry for Build Something Great: North West Edition, a one-day AI-powered sprint for 16 to 21-year-olds. 🤩

On Saturday 28th March at The AMP Growth Incubator, 35 participants from Derry, Donegal, Tyrone and the wider region will:

- Identify real problems from everyday life
- Form teams around ideas they care about
- Learn how to test whether a problem is worth solving
- Use AI tools to rapidly prototype digital solutions
- Pitch their work at the end of the day

Laptops and lunch will be provided. No experience or coding background required, just curiosity and a willingness to try.

We’ve only 35 places and it's first come first served ‼️ Register here today - https://bit.ly/4de0Bu6

27/02/2026

Hightop winners Sparks DC have launched a youth led survey to shape how young people connect across Derry City and Strabane District. ✨

If you are aged 11 to 19 and live locally, this is your chance to have your say ‼️

The team want to understand what opportunities matter most to you and how you prefer to hear about them, from sport and music to events and support services. The survey is anonymous, takes just a few minutes and will directly shape what happens next. 📲

Share your views before 6 March. Find out more and take part here 👉 https://bit.ly/3P5a2Sx

30/12/2025

As we step into the new year, we are proud to look back on 2025, the first year of Hightop. A year focused on backing young people, big ideas and purpose led innovation across the North West ✨

From supporting TechTides Youth to welcoming over 160 students to pitch ideas tackling real world challenges, this year showed what is possible when young people are given space, support and belief 🙌

Big Ideas Start Here 💡

Here is to an exciting year ahead of growing our strategic and operational partnerships so that ambition, creativity and impact can thrive here in the NW and beyond 🚀

To learn more about Hightop and what is coming next visit www.hightophub.com

22/12/2025

Wishing all of our supporters, partners, and friends a happy and peaceful holiday season ✨ 🎄

Thank you for all the support 🙌

05/12/2025

The latest Enterprise Barometer has just been published, and for us at Hightop, the headline is clear:

Northern Ireland has the talent, ideas, and ambition, but we must work better together to support, guide and empower the creation, testing, adoption, and scaling of solutions if we want innovation to thrive.

Hightop's Founder, Jennifer Neff, was invited by Michael McQuillan, CEO of Enterprise NI, to deliver the keynote speech for the launch of the Enterprise Barometer. Jennifer joined a panel with peers who are inspirational leaders in their space: Mary Blake, SeeMe Ltd; Gareth McDonald, farmdrive.io; Alex Campbell, Happy Out Coffee Ltd; and Simon Dunn, Dangle Academy.

The panel gave their feedback on the results and the analysis from Michael and economist Maureen O’Reilly, and provided their own advice on what they believe needs to happen to address the challenges facing NI.

To learn more, visit https://bit.ly/4pmh3fi

27/11/2025

🥉 Spotlight on Third Place

Everlasting Memories, created by students from St Mary's College, took 3rd Place at TechTides Youth 2025 with a heartwarming solution to bring families and friends closer together.

The team came up with the concept of a board game designed to help families and friends share stories, spark memories, and stay connected with loved ones living with Alzheimer's or dementia. What a beautiful way to combine creativity and impact!

Congratulations to the Everlasting Memories team! 👏

To learn more about Hightop and how you can get involved, visit www.hightophub.com.

North West Regional College

25/11/2025

🥈Spotlight on Second Place

Peace On Route, created by students from Lisneal College, Foyle College, Lumen Christi College, and Errigal College, Letterkenny, secured 2nd Place at TechTides Youth 2025 with a impactful solution for improving school bus journeys.

The team came up with a digital solution that makes school bus journeys calmer and more positive by rewarding teamwork and good behaviour through fun, interactive challenges and leaderboard.

Congratulations to the Peace On Route team - the innovation, dedication, and passion behind your idea stood out!

To learn more about Hightop and how you can get involved, visit www.hightophub.com.

North West Regional College Kippie

20/11/2025

What an incredible day at TechTides Youth 2025! 🎉 👏

Hightop were thrilled to host the finalist young innovators, showcasing creativity, ambition, and bold ideas that are shaping the future. Over 160 pupils attended North West Regional College's Foyle Theatre to explore technological and entrepreneurial opportunities and hear from inspiring guest speakers and panelists.

🎤 Speakers included:

✨ Isabella Leonard – Social Entrepreneur & Co-Founder, MORE

✨ Ava McGurk – 6x Award-Winning Innovator & Co-Founder, ReCreo

✨ Clare Hamilton – Tech Entrepreneur & Co-Founder, The Influencer Hub

✨ David McGuckin – AI Entrepreneur & Co-Founder, Opinly

✨ Josh McCamley & Zach Johnston – Game-Makers & Co-Founders, Mad Moon Studios

✨ John M. – Co-Founder & CEO, Americal Rail (A CropSafe Company)

💬 Panelists:

Dylan McNee - Technical Analyst, Alchemy

Deirbhile Leonard - Graduate Software Engineer, Allstate Northern Ireland

Rebecca Cooke - Junior Software Developer, AVEVA

Students gained practical advice on starting businesses, careers in tech, and were inspired to take their next steps. We were also excited to announce the winning idea: “Circle Up” from Lumen Christi College, who won £500 and a spot on the Hightop Accelerator starting in January 2026!

A huge thank you to all students, speakers, panelists, and NWRC Media & Marketing students who captured the day’s energy.

It was a high-energy, inspiring day filled with innovation and creativity – we can’t wait to see what these young innovators do next!

Learn more about Hightop www.hightop.com