"Opportunity knocks for potential entrepreneurs!"

A national programme called 'New Frontiers' to develop entrepreneurs will commence in late March 2012.  Funded by Enterprise Ireland, the programme will be delivered locally by GMIT in the Galway and Castlebar Innovation in Business Centres. If you believe that you are capable of building a new company, creating employment and generating revenue in your locality, act now and apply for a place on Ireland's largest entrepreneur development programme!

What does New Frontiers provide to Entrepreneurs?

 Training in all areas of business including financial management, market research & validation, business process, patenting, product development, sales training.

• Mentoring from experienced business advisers and practitioners.

• Office and other business incubation facilities.

• €15,000 from Enterprise Ireland for individuals participating in Phase 2. (Income tax liability will be the sole responsibility of the participant, and individuals are encouraged to seek professional advice).

• Networking with other entrepreneurs and business development                agencies.

• Introductions to seed and early stage capital investment networks.

• Access to entrepreneurship best practice, both national and                        international.

• Peer-group learning from participants in the region and across the              country.

• Access to the expertise in Enterprise Ireland through our market                 information centre.

• Expertise from the Innovation in Business Centre and the supportive  environment of the community of Entrepreneurs.

Am I Eligible - Who Should Apply?

The New Frontiers Entrepreneur Development Programme is targeted at entrepreneurs and early stage start-up companies located across the region. The programme is open to applications from a diversity of sectors including; food & consumer products, information & communication technology, engineering & electronics, medical devices, biotechnology, pharma, digital media, cleantech/renewable energy and eligible internationally traded services. Ideally applicants have the following characteristics:

• intend establishing a manufacturing or internationally traded services business or a new domestically traded service business with the potential to trade internationally.

• ambitious and have the capability and commitment needed to develop a  sustainable business

• growth orientated - planning to achieve turnover greater than €500,000 and create more than five jobs in three to five years time

• develop a business that is built upon on a strong foundation of innovation and/or technology.

• show evidence of a commercial market for your proposed product or  service.

Programme Detail

New Frontiers is a three-phase programme that is designed to provide an integrated and comprehensive set of business development supports to participants.

Phase 1 -Testing the business idea

The first phase will be part-time over a 4 week period and will help you to validate the market potential of your business idea. These weekend and evening workshops will provide information and general start-up training, allowing you to tease out your idea’s feasibility and to see whether a viable proposition exists.

Phase 2 - Business Planning

Following a competitive selection process, committed participants who have a strong value proposition and who can demonstrate that their business proposition has potential to grow and create jobs may be offered a place on Phase 2.

If successful, you will receive intensive support for six months to develop both your own skills and to work up your business proposition. This will entail full-time participation in workshops, mentoring and regular reviews. Using these supports, you will fully detail and validate your business proposition and identify potential customers, sales channels and funding options.

You must be available for full-time participation. To facilitate this, you will receive up to €15,000 in funding subject to satisfactory development reviews (Income tax liability will be the sole responsibility of the participant, and individuals are encouraged to seek professional advice on this).

The aim of this phase is to support you in your development of an investor-ready business plan.

Phase 3 - Business Development

Businesses emerging from Phase 2 will be guided to the most relevant government supports that can best help them at their particular stage of development. Further incubation facilities and support may be available to participants for a limited period, in conjunction with ongoing support from the Incubation Centre Management team.

What do I do next?

Download the New Frontiers Phase 1 Application Form and return by March 20th.  Places are limited.

New Frontiers Flyer

FORMER ENTERPRISE PROGRAMMES

Enterprise Programme 2011

14 knowledge intensive business ventures completed the Midlands and West Enterprise Programme (MWEP) in May 2011 with projects ranging from wireless automation to water management to anti-piracy software for gaming. The 2011 Midlands & West Enterprise Programme (MWEP) commenced in June in the Innovation in Business Centres in Castlebar and Galway.  This is an eight month programme providing entrepreneurs with business skills, networks, facilities and supports necessary to navigate the business start-up process.

A further 11 new projects commenced the Enterprise Programme in June 2011 focusing on opportunities in the Healthcare, Information Technology, Education, Cloud Computing, Manufacturing & Bio-material markets. 

Applicants should ideally have a number of years industry experience and have the enthusiasm and drive necessary to develop and grow a successful business. Participants may apply to Enterprise Ireland for CORD funding.

The MWEP provides participants with business acumen, concept desk space, mentoring, networking, facilities, and supports necessary to help them in establishing and running their own businesses. Participants should have a business idea with growth and export potential.

"These new start-up companies will form the foundation for the next generation of Irish enterprises," said Manager of the IiBC, George McCourt. "We are looking forward to supporting the next generation of innovative start-ups in the region through the new programme."

Thirteen high potential entrepreneurs are participating on the current MWEP. Products/services being developed include Innovative Medical Devices, Vehicle Telematics, Energy Solutions, Wireless Automation, Smart Business Directories, Water management, Reflexology products, NLP Digital media, Manufacturing software and Digital Rights Defense systems.

“Starting a new business is a very exciting time but there are many challenges to be addressed before you achieve success. The MWEP programme provided me with a structured approach through a series of modules presented by industry experts in areas like Market Research, Sources of Funding and Sales and Marketing. It also provided modern office facilities in a professional environment where you are working with other like-minded Entrepreneurs. An excellent environment for challenging and validating your business idea” Tommy Tyrrell, MD, www.Irelands-Directory.com

The MWEP may also be of interest to expatriates who are hoping to return home to set up their own business in the West of Ireland.

The Innovation in Business Centres will have a new programme in 2012 with all successful applicants receiving grant assistance, email tony.okelly@gmit.ie for further information. 

MWEP 2011

Small Enterprise Programme 2011

The Small Enterprise Programme (2011) has commenced in GMIT’s Innovation in Business Centres (IiBC) Galway and Castlebar.  The programme is run over four months running modules in market research and validation, sales, social media marketing, business plan & financials, as well as mentoring, dedicated desk space, admin support, networking opportunities and access to research capability in GMIT.

Guidelines for qualification onto the Small Enterprise Programme are:

--> Good concept or idea

--> Relevant experience of promoter

--> Potential to create 3+ jobs

--> Capability to export would be a distinct advantage

(L-R) The six Galway participants on the Small Enterprise Programme 2011 standing beside Tony O' Kelly (Manager SEP), Breda Fox (Chief Executive of Galway City & County Enterprise Board - sponsor) and George McCourt (Manager IiBC Galway)	(L-R) Some of the Mayo participants on the Small Enterprise Programme, included in the photo is Lorraine Toner (South West Mayo Development Company), Robert Grealis (Mentor) Brendan O'Shea (North East Mayo Partnership Company) and Maria Staunton (Manager of IiBC Mayo)