Reimagining Student Learning with AI: Denise O’Grady on Building UniDoodle

In Episode 2 of NovaVoices, Liam Cronin, Director of Innovation at UCD, talks to Denise O’Grady, CEO of UniDoodle, an Irish edtech company using AI to make student learning more inclusive, interactive and effective. A former PE teacher and serial entrepreneur, Denise shares how her experience in the classroom — and her own family experience of neurodivergence and dyslexia — inspired her passion for technology that gives every student a voice. UniDoodle allows students to draw and sketch answers in real time, helping lecturers understand how well their class is learning, identify where students are struggling and provide targeted feedback. Denise explains how UniDoodle grew from an idea developed at Maynooth University into a global product, supported by Enterprise Ireland commercialisation fund projects at Maynooth and UCD. She also reflects on lessons learned from her previous startup, WayToPay, and how those experiences have shaped her approach to customer acquisition, partnerships and scaling a business. The conversation explores UniDoodle’s growth ambitions, its plans to invest in rapid expansion through partner channels, and its commitment to using AI ethically while keeping teachers in control of assessment and feedback. Denise also highlights the value and importance of being part of the NovaUCD community and accessing investor and founder networks, the AI Ecosystem Accelerator programme and the key role UCD interns have played in the company’s product development and growth. Tune in now to a conversation about education, AI, inclusive learning, entrepreneurship, funding and the power of community in building a globally ambitious Irish start-up. 🔗 Learn more about how NovaUCD can support your start-up: https://www.ucd.ie/innovation/start-u... 0:13 Welcome to NovaVoices — Introductions and welcome 0:33 From Teaching to Start-ups — How teaching prepared Denise for start-up life 2:13 Rethinking Traditional Learning — Traditional methods, neurodivergence, and inclusion 4:36 What is UniDoodle? — The engagement tool and its inclusive design 5:54 The Power of Drawing Over Multiple Choice — Why freehand drawing tests real learning 7:43 The Origin Story — How UniDoodle was born and how Denise got involved 11:27 Lessons from a Serial Entrepreneur — Scaling experience from Way2Pay 14:02 Scaling UniDoodle: The Road Ahead — Future growth, investment, and partner channels 16:24 The AI Accelerator Experience — The 2025 AI Ecosystem Accelerator Programme at NovaUCD 18:14 AI and the Human Element — Balancing AI with keeping teachers in the loop 20:30 Harnessing Young Talent — The graduate internship program 22:58 The NovaUCD Community — Standout moments and connections at NovaUCD innovation hub 24:25 Closing Remarks — Wrap-up and thanks