Stripe is committed to preserving the "proven formula" of the Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, but will also "evolve the exhibition for the next generation".
Stripe founders Patrick and John Collison made their mark as teenagers at the YSTE, and now the brothers, through their financial services company, have become overall sponsor of the event.
There is just three weeks left for students to enter the 2026 exhibition, which takes place in the RDS from January 7 to 10.
Speaking on Morning Ireland, Eileen O'Mara, chief revenue officer with Stripe, said the company is delighted and thrilled to take on the sponsorship of such an amazing exhibition that is an institution in Ireland.
"One of the things we are really committed to is preserving the proven formula, and we're going to continue with all the popular initiatives that have been in the programme for many years - the primary science fair, the business bootcamp, the accommodation grants for students and meal vouchers," she said.
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"But, of course, over time, working with the YSTE board, we will evolve the exhibition for the next generation. So our intent is, with the board, to bring in new experiences of current technologies like AI and robotics, provide more guidance to students, inspriing them to really get involved, but also expanding the resources for teachers who are really critical to the success of the exhibition and the students enthusiasm," she said.
She said Stripe will also launch some fresh opportunities to engage with the alumni. "There have been thousands of students that have come through this programme, and we want to connect with them and collaborate, but also be role models for the students coming through."
The most famous alumna of the Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition is undoubtedly Patrick Collison who won the top prize in 2005.
Ms O'Mara said Patrick and John are immensely proud that Stripe is the title sponsor. "They are deeply involved in this; in many ways it's a full circle moment. It's actually 20 years since Patrick took the main prize at the exhibition so they will be heavily involved in all aspects of the exhibition," she said.
Stripe has supported student innovation in Ireland in recent years, partnering with the University of Limerick for its immersive software engineering programme.
The company's chief revenue officer said it is part of Stripe's DNA.
"We want to inspire students from every background, every county in Ireland. Our engagement with the UL and the immersive Masters programme has been very successful. We're seeing the first cohort of those students out in industry now," she said.
"We really want to build on that and be part of the community, and the YSTE is the stage before that, if you will, because we're dealing with students that are in secondary school and this is part of our ongoing committment to stay in education and innovation in Ireland," she stated.
"We think this sponsorship does that. We're at every level of education, supporting the community around how kids are inspired to see a future in education and entrepreneurship through these programmes," she added.
