ENTERPRISE PLATFORM PROGRAMMES

Nationwide, Enterprise Platform Programmes are nurturing and encouraging the entrepreneurial endeavors of some of Irleand's emerging entrepreneur. Niamh MacSweeney examines Enterprise Platform Programmes around the country and finds that they are a valuable springboard for aspiring entrepreneurs.

A CELEBRATION OF INNOVATION

This year, the Genesis Enterprise Programme administrered by the Cork Institute of Technology, celebrates its 10th year supporting entrepreneurs in creating high value locally, knowledge based business support in the Cork & Kerry region.

Genesis helps entrepreneurs accelerate the development of their businesses to become sustainable by the end of the programme. Over a 12 month period, participants are equipped with the skills necessary to develop an idea into a business, talk to the market, raise investment capital, and launch the product/service in the marketplace.

Specific supports include:

• Free professional office space including phone, business address, meeting room and canteen facilities
• A personal mentor with sectoral knowledge, contacts and strong business development experience
• Over 30 days of business training and clinics covering the areas of business strategy, planning and market research
• Opportunity to access the staff & facilities of the GEP Programme Partners which include Cork Institute of Technology, Enterprise Ireland, the 5 South West Region County Enterprise Boards, Údarás Na Gaeltachta, Cork BIC, Institute of Technology Tralee and
  University College Cork.
• Financial benefits available to participants can include up to 50% of prior year income, up to a maximum of €38,000 for qualifying applicants

Entrepreneurs also gain the intangible but vital benefit of working with other entrepreneurs in Genesis, its alumni network and the Rubicon Innovation Centre.

To date, over 120 entrepreneurs have been supported by the GEP in getting their businesses off the ground. The diverse sectors in which these businesses have competed include medical devices, food, photonics, mechanical engineering, biotech, machine vision and many others.

Genesis has just commenced its recruitment drive for its 2007/8 Programme which will start in April 2007. Applications can be made at www.gep.ie and the closing date for applications is Friday, March 3rd.

Contact: Denise Kennedy, Programme Manager,
T: +353(0)21 4928916
E: dkennedy@gep.ie

BIOCLIN RESEARCH LABORATORIES

With many years experience in pharmaceutical R&D, Mary Burke, a participant on the MWEP in 2003, BioClin was the overall winner of the Ulster Bank / Irish Independent Business Achievers Award in 2005. Mary Burke, MD, BioClin Research Laboratories says, “the MWEP greatly assisted BioClin in its early days by providing structured training and support in the key commercial elements of setting up and running a successful business.”

ARE YOU READY TO LEAP?

Limerick Enterprise Accerlation Platform is an exciting new programme designed to assist people with business ideas during the critical early stages.

At the launch of LEAP, Limerick Institute of Technology, Donncha Hughes, Enterprise Acceleration Centre LIT; Dr Maria Hinfelaar, Director LIT and Joe Ryan, Chairman, Governing Body LIT

For the person who has decided that 2007 is the year when they are going to set up their own business, Limerick Institute of Technology’s new LEAP Programme, which commences next March, presents the perfect opportunity to give their new venture the platform for success.

Donncha Hughes, Manager of the Enterprise Acceleration Centre launched LEAP (Limerick Enterprise Acceleration Platform) said this new full time 12 month programme will assist people at the early stages of their business development.

“LEAP is a tailor made programme designed to support emerging entrepreneurs in their quest to establish high performance companies. Our starting point in February 2007 is to recruit ten individuals with the ambition and drive to set up their own business. In March 2007, participants will take up residence (free of charge) in the Enterprise Acceleration Centre and begin a full time twelve month programme that integrates a range of supports focused on strategic planning and practical business setup to include,” Hughes says.

THE ENERGY OF SYNERGY

Synergy Centre at the Institute of Technology Tallaght, Dublin (ITT Dublin) is a new purpose built innovation centre which provides office space and business support to early stage enterprises.

The overall aim of Synergy Centre is to support high technology and knowledge intensive enterprises, which have real potential to foster innovation, create jobs and generate export potential.

Synergy Centre is a high-tech contemporary three storey building which offers infrastructure support including, 14 units of 18sq metres to 46sq metres for rent from €500 per month (including light, heat, security and broadband), perfect for small ventures with high potential, wireless broadband access, VoIP telephony and an Embryo Room, which consists of individual desk space for rent at €50 per week. This can facilitate up to 10 one-man potential companies who are still investigating the feasibility of their business concept.

NAVIGATING BUSINESS START-UPS

The Midlands Innovation and Research Centre at Atlone Institute of Technology, along with the Innovation Centre at Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, is launching a new enterprise programme for entrepreneurs, starting in February 2007.

The Midlands and West Enterprise Programme is a one-year programme that provides entrepreneurs with the business skills, networks, facilities and supports necessary to navigate the business start-up process. The MWEP/MIRC has incubated and supported 24 start-ups since 2003.

A key objective of the MIRC is to leverage the resources of AIT in support of client companies. The Institute has been particularly active in leading projects under Enterprise Ireland’s Innovation Partnership Programme. For example, AIT’s Applied Software Research Centre is currently leading the development of a Thermal Remote and Intelligent Management System for manufacturing processes on behalf of T5 Process Solutions, an early-stage company based in the MIRC.

Joe Temple, CEO, T5 Process Solutions says, “as a start up company, the MIRC provides us with state of the art facilities and a comprehensive business support programme while Athlone Institute of Technology provides a ready-made research capability for the development of our technology.”

According to MIRC Manager, Michael Lonergan, “if you are a prospective entrepreneur with industry experience and an innovative business idea, the MWEP will provide you with the business skills and support necessary to transform your idea into a successful business.”

AWARDS WINNING ENTREPRENEURS

Two out of three Leinster Regional Seedcorn finalists from DKIT Regional Development Centre were participants on the North East Enterprise Platform Programme.

The Leinster Regional Winner, Dr David Gillen, founded Blueacre Technology, which develops advanced laser processing technology for use in the medical, semi conductor, defense and aerospace industries. They combine laser micromachining with advance precision engineering to ensure that processes meet the demands of tomorrow’s technology.

Brain Power, a company founded by DKIT graduates Feargal Byrne, Karl Mernagh, Aidan Garvey and Gavin McLoughlin were runner-ups in the Intertrade Ireland Seedcorn Competition. The four have developed an innovative new e-learning software product which they expect will dramticially change the way maths is taught. The software developed by Brain Power allows students to learn how to do maths calculations using the learning style that suits them best. They provide an interactive test, which tests students in an exam style format and tells them when they have made a mistake.