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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Galway’s Startup Scene : 2017 Snapshot

Galway’s Startup Scene : 2017 Snapshot

  In late 2016, Startupblink contacted me to write a ‘Startup Ecosystem article‘ on Galway to feature on their global website. I agreed and enlisted the assistance of John Breslin, NUIG, PorterShed and Startup Galway; and Barry Egan, Enterprise Ireland West Region. [button link=”http://www.startupblink.com/blog/galway-startup-ecosystem/” target=”_blank” color=”green” shape=”rounded” size=”large” align=”center”]Read Galway’s Ecosystem report[/button] The brief was…

A quick explanation and example of Cashflow (video)

A quick explanation and example of Cashflow (video)

I am not an accountant but I do my own accounts. I also work with clients on financial projections for their business plans. Finance is at the core of business and marketing. Cashflow is the core of finances. I have published an online course ‘Creating Financial Projections for a Local Business‘. A bonus module was…

Ten things we probably knew and were reminded of during Startup Gathering Galway 2015

Ten things we probably knew and were reminded of during Startup Gathering Galway 2015

Last Friday (9th October 2015) was spent meeting new business acquaintances and talking to almost every startup promoter and supporter that I know in Galway. I attended 6 events throughout the entire day from 8AM till 9PM. Here are ten things (as recorded on Twitter) that I probably knew already but was reminded of:  …

[Book Review Part 2] Recommended Startup Marketing Books for Fast Growth Businesses

[Book Review Part 2] Recommended Startup Marketing Books for Fast Growth Businesses

This is the second part of a two part blogpost about books directly focused on Marketing for fast growth oriented startups. My most recent post reviewed the superb ‘Traction: A Startup Guide to Getting Customers’ by Gabrial Weinberg and Justin Mares, 2014 and this post will review Startup Growth Engines: Case Studies on How Today’s…

[Book Review] My favourite Startup Marketing Books for Fast Growth Businesses

[Book Review] My favourite Startup Marketing Books for Fast Growth Businesses

In December 2013, I wrote a blogpost selecting my four favourite Lean Startup books from the many books on the area of Lean Startup. Since then I have been on the lookout for books more directly focused on Marketing for fast growth-oriented startups.  This article highly recommends two such books: 1. Traction: A Startup Guide…

[Book Review] Disciplined Entrepreneurship : 24 Steps to a Successful Startup by Bill Aulet (2013)

[Book Review] Disciplined Entrepreneurship : 24 Steps to a Successful Startup by Bill Aulet (2013)

I have just finished reading Disciplined Entrepreneurship by Bill Aulet, Managing Director, Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship. Published in 2013, it is a superb book (Book available in Ireland via Easons). This review does not seek to summarise the book – for that I suggest you read this excellent post ‘A book in 5…

Merry Christmas 2014

Merry Christmas 2014

2014 was a great year for my business thanks to all my wonderful customers! I want to take this opportunity to thank you for retaining my services – particularly all those repeat customers! I would also like to thank everyone who thought of me and mentioned my name when asked for assistance in areas which…

Crafting your Value Proposition : EI New Frontiers Blogpost

Crafting your Value Proposition : EI New Frontiers Blogpost

I was delighted to be selected as one of the first contributors to new Enterprise Ireland New Frontiers blog – the post addressed ‘how to craft your value proposition‘.   New Frontiers is Ireland’s national entrepreneur development programme, delivered at a local level by Institutes of Technology and funded by Enterprise Ireland. I am delighted…

Please support MediStori’s Crowdfunding Campaign

Please support MediStori’s Crowdfunding Campaign

Today, I made a modest financial contribution as part of a Crowdfunding campaign to MediStori and I would ask everyone who reads this to seriously consider supporting this campaign – by making a contribution directly or telling someone else who would benefit from the product. The promoter is looking to raise €50,000 in the next…