Founding Partner Programme
Reach the next generation of talent in your sector before anyone else — through a year-long student innovation programme across Northern Ireland. The first 12 organisations to commit become the permanent Founding Class, shaping their category from day one with first refusal on future opportunities.
Since launching, School Summit has engaged more than 20,000+ young people from post-primary schools across Northern Ireland. With a further 5,000+ students expected to attend the October 2026 School Summit, that figure will exceed 25,000+. Innovator builds on that proven foundation by giving one organisation exclusive ownership of a category within its sector through a year-round programme that helps shape challenges, engage with schools, identify emerging talent and build long-term recognition.
Founding Cohort
The founding class is confirmed this summer, ahead of the October 2026 launch.
Or download the Employer Guide (PDF) to share with your board.
Proof
School Summit has spent six years bringing together education and industry across Northern Ireland, built on a decade of school events across the island of Ireland.
200+
Schools
20,000+
Students
100+
Organisations
Since 2021
School Summit NI
Organisations School Summit works with across Northern Ireland
“NI School Summit has been an amazing experience. The atmosphere has been electric, filled with excitement and eagerness from the young students. We've had some great conversations and hopefully inspired young minds. We can't wait to be back next year.”
Fujitsu
School Summit NI participant
“Amazing set up and organisation. We were delighted to meet a range of students to discuss opportunities at Translink, including Bus and Rail Engineering, Infrastructure and projects. Thank you for facilitating and to the schools and colleges who engaged.”
Translink
School Summit NI participant
“We always have a fantastic time at School Summit — if you want to engage with students in Northern Ireland, this is the event for you.”
Institute of Physics
School Summit NI participant
“Brilliant buzz about the place. Happy engaging kids… The Economy's future is safe in their hands. A great opportunity for the Department for the Economy to promote apprenticeships.”
Department for the Economy
Northern Ireland Executive · School Summit NI participant
“At last, an event that lives up to its billing. Students and schools could not have asked for more. All the information that students look for in one place, with prizes and energetic informative talks and debates from speakers. VR simulators, fire engines, aircraft, mobile kitchens — all in the extremely impressive Eikon Centre, a perfect venue. Motor industry apprenticeships, retail careers, UK universities, tech and renewables all represented. Hats off to all involved. We plan on making this an annual event for our students.”
Banbridge High School
Teacher
“The annual School Summit at the Eikon is a fabulous day out. Lots of interactive stalls and many resources for the students to take back to school. Highly educational, fact-finding day with an impressive audio and visual staged auditorium. Quality talks from many exhibitors, both from business and education.”
Newry High School
Teacher
“Always a pleasure to be here. The event is always well organised and Rachel has been absolutely fantastic. We have had an amazing two days.”
Liverpool Hope University
School Summit NI participant
See it in action
Why Innovator
Designed for
Employers · Universities · Government · Professional bodies
How it works
Step 01
Choose your category
42 sector challenges across seven pillars. Yours, exclusively.
Step 02
Shape it and judge it
Co-create the brief, meet the finalists, present the award.
Step 03
Own the moment
Publicly launched at the 2026 NI School Summit, delivered through 2027, renewed on your first refusal.
Choose the area you want to lead
Each category is held by one exclusive partner. Open a pillar to see its categories.
Founding Partner discussions are underway across a number of categories. Availability is updated as agreements are confirmed.
Partnership Options
Category Partner
from £15,000
Ideal for
Own your sector's exclusive challenge across Northern Ireland.
Recognition
Programme
Long-term value
Launch announced alongside other new categories at the October Summit.
Category Lead Partner
from £25,000
Ideal for
For organisations that want to be seen as the visible leader of their sector's future talent pipeline.
Own the launch
Own the award
Own the content
Founding-cycle pricing is the lowest the programme will ever be.
Principal Founding Partner
POA
Ideal for
Programme-wide leadership across the inaugural cycle.
Includes
School Summit Innovator carries your name across the programme — “in partnership with [you]” on school communications, the official programme and main stage.
Recognition
Programme
Long-term value
One organisation. By invitation.
Organisations seeking to support more than one category, or explore future Pillar Leadership, can discuss a bespoke partnership with Rachel.
FAQ
A note from
Rachel Hanna
CEO & Programme Director, School Summit
Every partnership begins with a conversation. My role is to understand your organisation, your objectives and whether Innovator is the right fit. If it is, we'll design a partnership that delivers genuine value for your organisation while creating meaningful opportunities for young people.
Start the conversation
To discuss category availability, contact Rachel Hanna directly and we'll arrange a short conversation around fit, objectives and next steps.
A 20-minute conversation to confirm fit. No obligation. Procurement documentation available. Employer Guide (PDF) · Executive summary (two pages).
Next step
Join the organisations shaping the inaugural School Summit Innovator programme. It starts with a short conversation to explore the category that best aligns with your organisation's expertise and ambitions.
Once a category is secured, no competing organisation can become its Founding Partner.
6 of 12 Founding Partner places remaining