Limerick student shines at Technovation Ireland Event with innovative fashion sustainability app

RHEMA Olushola, a student from Thomond Community College, stole the spotlight at the Technovation Ireland Regional Pitch Event held at AMD in Dublin, impressing judges and audiences alike with her innovative sustainability app, Eco Threads.

The project, developed as part of a Teen-Turn 12 week afterschool program called Technovation, aims to disrupt fast fashion by promoting sustainable choices and creativity through upcycling. Eco Threads encourages users to embrace mindful shopping, focusing on timeless, high-quality clothing and reducing waste through fashion repurposing.

“The idea for Eco Threads was born from my love for alternative fashion,” the student explained. “It’s not just about standing out—it’s about expressing yourself and rejecting the wasteful culture of throwaway fashion. I wanted to create something that helps people make better choices for the planet and themselves.”

Rhema’s journey with Teen-Turn was her first venture into coding and pitching, making the experience all the more powerful.

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“It was such an incredible experience—so much fun from start to finish,” she said. “The support I received from my mentors, teammates, and especially my sister, kept me going when things got tough. I had never done anything like this before, and the nerves were real—but once I started my pitch, everything just clicked.”

The Technovation Ireland event gave young women from across the country the opportunity to present technology-based solutions to real-world issues. For Rhema, it was a springboard into greater ambitions.

“One of my biggest dreams is to take Eco Threads international,” she said. “I want people everywhere to know that it doesn’t matter how old you are or where you’re from—if you have a good mindset and a good idea, you can do anything.”

Her Teen-Turn lead mentor, Enya O'Callaghan, from Thomond Community College, praised the dedication and growth she witnessed throughout the project.

“Being a lead mentor for Teen-Turn for Technovation 2025 was an incredibly rewarding experience,” said Ms O’Callaghan. “Guiding the girls here at Thomond as they developed real-world tech solutions showcased their creativity, confidence, and resilience. They gained not only technical and entrepreneurial skills, but also a powerful sense of belief in their own potential to lead and innovate.”

Teen-Turn, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to increasing the number of girls from underserved communities in STEM careers, continues to empower young women through hands-on experiences, mentorship, and access to global competitions like Technovation.