Organise ATU Galway New Frontiers One 2 Ones with Phase 1 Participants

Organise ATU Galway New Frontiers One 2 Ones with Phase 1 Participants

As part of the New Frontiers Phase 1 programme in ATU iHubs Galway and Mayo (formerly GMIT), Donncha Hughes, an independent business advisor will meet participants in person for a One 2 One session to review their draft applications prior to the final Phase 2 application submission deadline. New Frontiers Phase 2 Application – One…

Increased Tender Threshold great for SMEs in Ireland

Increased Tender Threshold great for SMEs in Ireland

At the end of March 2023, the OGP (Office of Government Procurement) published Circular 05/2023 : Initiatives to assist SMEs in Public Procurement. The Circular, designed to foster SMEs participation in public procurement contracts, increases the thresholds for advertising on eTenders to €50,000 for Goods & Services and to €200,000 for Works – both thresholds…

What ‘grants’ and other supports apply to my startup business in 2023?

What ‘grants’ and other supports apply to my startup business in 2023?

If you have ever wondered what supports that you and your startup business could and should apply for, read on:

This blogpost and the accompanying presentation will categorise the supports depending on the stage of development of your startup company: pre-enterprise; early stage; and established startup

CSF replaced by Pre-Seed Start Fund

CSF replaced by Pre-Seed Start Fund

Enterprise Ireland launched the Pre-Seed Start Fund in October 2022 effectively replacing the highly successful Competitive Start Fund (CSF). The Pre Seed Fund provides funding of €100,000 – former recipients of CSF can apply for €50,000. Over the years, CSF has been tweaked and this latest change resulted in a new name along with increased…

SaaS Financial Projections – online programme published

SaaS Financial Projections – online programme published

I am delighted to published my 7th online training programme. This will be my second one focusing on Financial Projections. It is called ‘Creating Financial Projections for your SaaS business‘. It is aimed at owners and senior team members who are bringing a SaaS product to market. The Excel template will facilitate you to create…

Writing Business Plan Executive Summary – format, example and guidance

Writing Business Plan Executive Summary – format, example and guidance

I write business plans for some startup and SME clients. I review business plans for Enterprise Agencies. I also provide training on business plans. A question I am often asked is, ‘what content goes into a business plan’, with the follow up being, ‘how much information should be included in an Executive Summary‘. Most people…

What Enterprise Ireland are looking for in a New Frontiers Phase 2 Application in 2023?

What Enterprise Ireland are looking for in a New Frontiers Phase 2 Application in 2023?

Are you participating on one of the Enterprise Ireland New Frontiers Phase 1 programmes being delivered by the Incubation Centres in the Technological Universities in Ireland? If yes, you may have started completing your Phase 2 application form (download pdf) As a trainer over the years on the programmes in SETU Waterford and Carlow, ATU…

Business Cube updated by InterTrade Ireland – SeedCorn Competition 2019

Business Cube updated by InterTrade Ireland – SeedCorn Competition 2019

I have said for years that the best investor ready business plan preparation guide is the Business Cube Methodology published by InterTrade Ireland the organisors of the SeedCorn Investor Readiness Competition. So I was delighted to see that a modernised edition, now referred to as Business Cube, has been published in 2019. It is a…

Early Stage Startups – My Inc60 Podcast – From Idea to a Business

Early Stage Startups – My Inc60 Podcast – From Idea to a Business

I recently met with Clare Carroll of Inc60 to record a podcast about the pre-startup and early stage business journey. The Lean Canvas as outlined in the book Running Lean is an ideal tool at this stage. The 30-minute podcast also discusses Sales, Mentoring, building your Team and supports for business. Thanks to Maria Staunton…

Online Training to Create Financial Projections for your Local Business

Online Training to Create Financial Projections for your Local Business

I am delighted to announce that I have published an online training programme called ‘Creating Financial Projections for a Local Business‘. One year access is €50 including VAT. This ONE HOUR online programme is for you if: You a startup promoter or small business owner who needs to create financial projections for your business to…

20 Business Building Ideas from ‘The 1-Page Marketing Plan’ by Allan Dib [Book Review & Infographic]

20 Business Building Ideas from ‘The 1-Page Marketing Plan’ by Allan Dib [Book Review & Infographic]

The 1-Page Marketing Plan Get New Customers, Make More Money, And Stand Out from the Crowd- by Allan Dib I recently received this Marketing book in the post for free. I had been asked nicely in advance if I would review it. I like reading business books so I agreed (no fee involved). The book…

4 Point Formula to Win funding – The Startup Pitch [Book review]

4 Point Formula to Win funding – The Startup Pitch [Book review]

I assist startups via training and mentoring to pitch for early stage investment to include enterprise agency supports such as New Frontiers and Competitive Start Fund in Ireland. I was delighted to find a superb book by Chris Lipp called ‘The Startup Pitch : A proven formula to win funding’. At 160 pages, it is…

Congrats to Galway’s next wave of Super Food and Drink Entrepreneurs

Congrats to Galway’s next wave of Super Food and Drink Entrepreneurs

I recently attended the Galway Chamber Business Awards. Pat McDonagh, Founder of Supermacs delivered a fantastic speech in accepting the Special Presidents Award for his contribution to business in Galway. The performance of Supermacs, Ireland’s largest indigenous quick service restaurant chain, is amazing: Over 100 outlets across country and employs over 2,700 people. Annual commitment…