Insurance at SETU Carlow

What Insurance at SETU Carlow does

Insurance at SETU Carlow operates the Centre for Insurance, Risk and Data Analytics Studies (CIRDAS), an educational centre within South East Technological University (SETU) Carlow in Ireland. Established in 2021 as a Higher Education Authority (HEA) Human Capital Initiative Pillar 3 Innovation and Agility project, CIRDAS delivers bespoke, subsidised education programmes for professionals in the insurance and financial services sector. The offering spans monthly masterclasses, short workshops, NFQ Level 8-9 certificate programmes, Higher Diplomas in EDI and Innovative Data Generation/Analytics/Management, and a Masters in Executive Leadership, structured around four pillars: Business Thinking, Data Science, Design Thinking, and Equality Diversity and Inclusion. Delivery is blended — in-person at the SETU Carlow and ATU Letterkenny campuses alongside online sessions via Zoom, MS Teams, and Blackboard Collaborate, with recorded masterclasses hosted on a dedicated YouTube channel.

The core technology layer consists of standard higher-education collaboration tools (Zoom, MS Teams, Blackboard Collaborate) plus a WordPress-based content platform at insurancesetucarlow.ie hosting programme pages, learning outcomes, and registration flows. No proprietary platform, API, or software product is built or sold. CIRDAS is co-delivered with the Insurtech Network Centre (INC) for industry connectivity and with Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Letterkenny as a second-campus partner, and receives additional research and innovation support from Enterprise Ireland.

From a revenue perspective, CIRDAS is not commercially monetised. Education is provided free or heavily subsidised under HEA Pillar 3 funding, with the first module fully funded and subsequent module costs confirmed per institution based on enrollment. The go-to-market is event- and engagement-driven: monthly masterclasses, newsletter subscriptions, social channels (LinkedIn, Twitter/X, YouTube), and active industry networking through the Irish Insurance Institute and Regional Skills Forum. The only disclosed end-customer relationship is Doyle Mahon Insurances, an SMB insurance brokerage that received a research and innovation engagement via the Insurtech Network Centre. Headcount is reported at 1-10 staff and there is no venture capital, private equity, or equity ownership involved; the entity is a publicly funded educational centre within SETU Carlow.

Name

Insurance at SETU Carlow

Legal name

South East Technological University (SETU) Carlow

Website

https://insurancesetucarlow.ie

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Insurance at SETU Carlow (CIRDAS) is a HEA-funded educational centre within SETU Carlow delivering subsidised certificate, diploma, and masters programmes plus masterclasses in data science, EDI, design thinking, and business leadership for the Irish insurance and financial services sector.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Insurance Education and Professional Training

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Financial Services & Insurance (FINRA, CFP, IAR, Insurance CE) (EDAAALAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Continuing Education (CE/CPD) & Provider Accreditation Bodies (EDADACAF)

Keywords

• Insurance education
• Financial services training
• Data analytics programmes
• Insurtech research
• Professional development

Headquarters

HQ city

Carlow

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government-funded subsidised education: CIRDAS is a HEA Human Capital Initiative Pillar 3 Innovation and Agility project. Education programmes are provided free or heavily subsidised to learners. The first module is fully funded, with costs of follow-on modules towards major awards confirmed by each institution once student numbers are confirmed. Enterprise Ireland supports research and innovation activities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CIRDAS delivers accredited, subsidised education programmes (from masterclasses through to NFQ Level 9 major awards) for the Irish insurance and financial services sector, structured around Business Thinking, Data Science, Design Thinking, and EDI pillars. It also provides research, innovation, and startup support via the Insurtech Network Centre, delivered at SETU Carlow and ATU Letterkenny campuses and online.

Product overview

Insurance at SETU Carlow (CIRDAS - Centre for Insurance, Risk and Data Analytics Studies) is an educational institution offering a portfolio of programmes and modules for the insurance and financial services sector. The offering comprises four major award programmes: Certificate in Insurance for Data Scientists (NFQ Level 9), Higher Diploma in Business in EDI, Higher Diploma in Business in Innovative Data Generation Analytics and Management, and Masters in Business in Executive Leadership, Management & Coaching. These are supplemented by individual standalone certificate modules, masterclasses, and workshops. The programmes are structured around four delivery pillars: Business Thinking, Data Science, Design Thinking, and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), with modules available as multiple entry and exit points. Educational delivery is via blended learning and evening classes at SETU Carlow and ATU Letterkenny campuses, with content subsidised through HEA funding.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Certificate in Insurance (Life & General) for Data Scientists NFQ Level 9 certificate introducing data science graduates to insurance fundamentals, principles, and data analytics applications in the insurance industry. Covers Why we insure, Principles of Insurance, the Insurance Industry in Ireland and Internationally, and Data Analytics applied to Insurance; delivered through blended learning.
• Higher Diploma in Business in Innovative Data Generation, Analytics and Management Major award structured around three pillars: Data Generation, Data Analytics, and Data Management. Features standalone 10-credit certificates as entry/exit points with mandatory modules in Innovative Design and Machine Learning, Data Analytics for Business, and Databases.
• Higher Diploma in Business in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Industry-developed programme for managers, leaders, and executives from the insurance and financial services sectors. Covers EDI Origins and Context, Legal Framework, Policy Development, Implementation and Evaluation, EDI Management and Leadership, Strategic HRM, and Innovation and EDI.
• Masters in Business in Executive Leadership, Management & Coaching Professionally and personally transformative master's programme for developing business leaders, underpinned by four pillars: Influence, Engage, Coach, and Transform. Covers strategic management, digital marketing, executive coaching, and sustainable business innovation.
• Masterclasses Free professional development sessions covering topics in Data Science, Business Thinking, Design Thinking, and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). Masterclasses are delivered monthly by academic and industry experts via Zoom, MS Teams, and Blackboard Collaborate, with each session running 50 minutes plus 10-15 minutes of Q&A.
• Workshops Short, focused educational programmes introducing practical skills, techniques, and ideas immediately applicable to working lives. Workshops explore Data Science, Business Thinking, and Design Thinking with 6-15 participants and durations ranging from one hour up to a full day.

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• South East Technological University (SETU) CarlowcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIRDAS was created by SETU Carlow Lifelong Learning (LLL) in partnership with Insurtech Network Centre (INC) and ATU Letterkenny. SETU Carlow is the primary host institution providing campus facilities and academic resources.
• Atlantic Technological University (ATU) LetterkennycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHEI partner in the CIRDAS initiative, providing a second campus for programme delivery across two locations. ATU Letterkenny serves the northwest of Ireland.
• Insurtech Network Centre (INC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founder of CIRDAS alongside SETU Carlow LLL and ATU Letterkenny. INC brings industry connections and insurtech expertise to the partnership, enabling industry-responsive programme development.
• Irish Insurance Institute (III)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIRDAS works with the Irish Insurance Institute through the Insurtech Network Centre. Demand for transversal skills in Insurance and Data Analytics has been evidenced through recent discussions with III.
• Defence ForcesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing collaboration to develop and deliver bespoke training and education programmes.
• Irish Aviation AuthorityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing collaboration to develop and deliver bespoke training and education programmes alongside other bodies.
• An CosanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing collaboration to develop and deliver bespoke training and education programmes alongside other bodies.
• Regional Skills ForumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSETU Carlow and ATU Letterkenny work closely with the Regional Skills Forum to develop courses aligned with industry requirements and expedite course development and validation.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Insurance Institute of Canada (IIC): Canadian not-for-profit delivering Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) designations and continuing education to insurance practitioners. Closely analogous in mission, accreditation role, and curriculum structure, though serving the Canadian market.
• ANZIIF (Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance): Regional professional body delivering insurance education, CPD, and qualifications across Australia and New Zealand. Analogous in mission and structure to CIRDAS's insurance-education mandate but operating in a different geography with a more mature commercial offering.

Broad incumbents

• Coursera: Global MOOC platform partnering with universities to deliver online certificates and degrees, including insurance, risk management, and data analytics programmes from institutions like Illinois and Michigan State. Represents the scaled, online incumbent that CIRDAS's accredited offerings compete against for enterprise L&D budgets.
• Chartered Insurance Institute (CII): The UK's leading professional body for insurance and financial services, offering globally recognised qualifications (Cert CII, Dip CII, ACII, FCII). Comparable in mission to accredit and educate insurance professionals; broader portfolio and global reach but UK-centric rather than Ireland-focused.
• University College Dublin (UCD) Smurfit Executive Development: Ireland's leading provider of executive education, including bespoke programmes for the financial services sector. Comparable to CIRDAS's executive-leadership master's and corporate-bespoke offering, but operating at the higher price/premium end and without CIRDAS's insurance-sector specialisation or subsidy.

Emerging players

• DataCamp: Online learning platform specialising in data science and analytics, with finance and insurance-relevant tracks. Overlaps with CIRDAS's data-science pillar but competes as a scalable, self-serve alternative to CIRDAS's blended delivery model.

Direct peers

• Insurance Institute of Ireland: Ireland's primary professional body delivering insurance education, examinations, and CPD to practitioners. The most direct peer — both serve the same Irish insurance professional learner base with structured, accredited training, though III is the long-established incumbent and CIRDAS is the newer, subsidised entrant.
• National College of Ireland (NCI): Irish higher-education institution offering accredited postgraduate diplomas and master's programmes in areas including fintech, data analytics, and financial services — overlapping with CIRDAS's NFQ Level 8/9 programme portfolio and serving the same Irish working-professional learner base.
• Insurtech Network Centre (INC): Ireland-based insurtech hub supporting startups and industry innovation. CIRDAS is co-founded by INC, but INC independently delivers startup support, research, and innovation programming for the insurance sector — partially overlapping with CIRDAS's startup-facing services.

Others

• IFRI (Financial Resilience Institute) / Insurance Foundation: Industry-supported bodies focused on insurance literacy and workforce development. Adjacent to CIRDAS's mission of upskilling insurance professionals and improving industry knowledge, though primarily focused on consumer/financial literacy rather than practitioner credentialing.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/insurtechinc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC40zjF5C0DspFK5xmk9RpMg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/insurance-at-it-carlow

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Insurance at SETU Carlow