Sandbox Launches Search for Ireland’s Bright Young Things at the NDRC Launchpad in Dublin

SANDBOX LAUNCHES SEARCH FOR IRELAND’S BRIGHT YOUNG THINGS

Bright young things from across Ireland gathered last night as Sandbox launched their search for Ireland’s emerging ones-to-watch.  Held at the NDRC Launchpad in Dublin, over 100 attendees came out to hear the perks of being part of the influential members-only network from up-and-coming theatre producer Matthew Smyth, Soundwave’s Brendan O’Driscoll and the girls behind Ireland’s hottest new food start-up, Sarah O’Connor and Isolde Moylan of Cool Beans.

Open to young achievers under the age of 30, Sandbox is a global community of hand-selected innovators who have already made an impressive impact. The growing community counts 1000 young leaders in over 48 different countries and, with applications opening only once a year, becoming a member can be a highly competitive process.

“Our aim is to identify and bring together the world’s most inspiring young individuals and accelerate them from the point of local impact to global influence” commented John Egan, who was recently appointed Global CEO of Sandbox.   “There is a huge pool of fresh talent across Ireland instigating change in their respective fields and we strongly encourage them to put their names forward as potential Sandboxers.”

Referred to as the ultimate whizzkid club, Sandbox works to help its members build meaningful relationships and realise their next big idea. Sandbox manages the global network through city-based hubs.  The Dublin hub, led by Katie Tsouros (Artfetch), Darren Ryan (Social Entrepreneurs Ireland) and Natasha Sherling (Natasha Sherling Fine Jewellery), now counts over 20 members including Sophie Morris (Kooky Dough), James McBennett (Assmbly), and pro-surfer Easkey Britton.

Applications are now open for the Dublin hub with just eight places available for 2014.  “We’re not only looking for entrepreneurs” remarked Natasha Sherling, an Ambassador for the Dublin hub. “Our group includes everyone from artists, politicians and film directors to surfers, chefs and rising corporate stars.”

Speaking of the key characteristics the panel will be looking for in this year’s contestants, Dublin hub co-Ambassador, Darren Ryan, noted: “We’re looking for creativity, passion and individuals brimming with fresh ideas and energy.”

The application process is purposefully designed to enable applicants to exhibit their imagination and ingenuity through a project dubbed the “WOW”.  According to Ryan, the “WOW” can be interpreted in any way by the applicant. “We have received illustrated pop-up books, embarked on elaborate treasure hunts; one applicant even held an interview panel with a bunch of puppets.  There really is no end to what you can produce for the project.”

Becoming a Sandboxer instantly introduces the members to a global network of like-minded peers through regular events and international retreats held all over the world.  Bearing testament to the mobile nature of this young society, Sandbox retreat locations have included Lisbon, New York, Mexico, the Virgin Islands and Ireland’s own Springfield Castle in Co. Limerick.  The Irish retreats have developed a reputation for being the most anticipated events on the Sandbox calendar.

Individuals who are interested in becoming a member of Sandbox can do so by going to www.sandbox.is.  Applications close on 14 March 2014.

ABOUT SANDBOX

Sandbox is a mobile society of the world’s most extraordinary young game changers.  Organised into hubs spread across 5 different continents, Sandbox has built a global community comprised of 1000 members and 86 different nationalities.  The members-only network selects a small number of applicants every year to join each of their city-based hubs.  The Dublin hub is currently open for applications.  Existing Dublin hub members include:

• Will Armstrong, Director/photographer
• Eoin Bara, V7
• Easkey Britton, Pro-surfer
• Graham Clarke, Serial food entrepreneur
• Sasha de Marigny, EY
• Daire Irwin, Artdip
• Vincent Lyons, Dubstarts
• Padraig Mannion, Superbly
• James McBennett, Assmbly
• Will McQuillan, Frontline Ventures
• Sophie Morris, Kooky Dough
• Isolde Moylan, Cool Beans
• Brendan O’Driscoll, Soundwave
• Sarah O’Connor, EY/Cool Beans
• Stephen O’Leary, Olytico
• Maria Parodi, Councillor for Dublin South East Inner City
• Simon Phelan, Better Capital
• Daniel Ramamoorthy, Treehouse/Advisor to Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation
• Gavin Redmond, NextGen Digital Academy/The Renewables Academy
• Keyun Ruan, XENSIX
• Darren Ryan, Social Entrepreneurs Ireland
• Marc Sanz Lopez, Hail Studios
• Natasha Sherling, Natasha Sherling Fine Jewellery
• Matthew Smyth, Independent theatre producer
• Katie Tsouros, Artfetch
• Craig Watson, Soundwave
• Rebecca Winckworth, Vocal Artist