WMB: Starting a Business?
10th February 2015
Whether you need advice on funding, expanding or even just developing your business idea – these resources may be helpful to you.
ACORNS
The ACORNS initiative is designed to unleash the potential of female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland, who have recently started a business or who have taken concrete steps towards starting a business. The objective is to equip these early stage entrepreneurs with the appropriate knowledge, confidence and networks to successfully start and develop sustainable businesses.
Atlantic Bridge Capital
Atlantic Bridge Capital is a Global Growth Equity Technology Fund with over $450 million of assets under management across four Funds, investing in technology companies in Europe, the US and China. The Fund is focused on investing primarily at the expansion capital and growth equity stages in companies that have started to scale in revenues with a proven business model with evidence of market uptake and customer adoption.
Bord Bia Vantage
An online resource centre for small food businesses, Bord Bia Vantage provides assistance to food-based businesses through its marketing assistance and branding programmes. They also provide advice on idea generation, idea screening, business testing and development and packaging.
Chambers Ireland
The Irish National Committee of the International Chamber of Commerce is Ireland’s largest business organisation with a network of Chambers of Commerce in every major town and region in the country. The organisation works to promote the development of localities across the country and lobbies government and other stakeholders on policy issues.
Citizen’s Information
The Citizen’s Information Board provides public service information and their website includes some basic tips and advice on starting your own business, the tax requirements of various businesses, sources of advice and funding and employment rights etc.
Local Enterprise Offices
Local Enterprise Office (LEO) provides advice, information and support to you in starting up or growing your business. With 31 dedicated teams across the Local Authority network in Ireland, Local Enterprise Offices offer you a wide range of experience,skills and services.
The Local Enterprise Office is for people interested in starting up a new business or already in business including entrepreneurs, early stage promoters, start-ups and small business looking to expand.
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
The mandate of the department is to represent the sectors in a national and EU capacity. To oversee the development and implementation of national and EU schemes in the areas of food, fisheries and agriculture, to control food safety and to provide supports to the industry in terms of research, training, industry regulation and commercial development.
Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Employment
The Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Employment is the Government department that is responsible for the creation of jobs and the development of a competitive business environment throughout Ireland. In line with the Programme for Government the department’s mission is to champion enterprise and innovation, increase exports, increase employment and regulate industry and the workplace.
Dublin Business Innovation Centre
Dublin Business Innovation Centre (Dublin BIC) is a public-private business support organisation. The group works with state agencies and private sector investors to support entrepreneurs as they build the next generation of successful Irish businesses.
Enterprise Ireland
Enterprise Ireland is the government body responsible for the development and growth of Irish industry. Their services include funding supports, R&D development assistance, export advice and assistance to develop your business’s competitive edge.
Halo Business Angel Network (HBAN)
HBAN, the Halo Business Angel Network, supports the early stage entrepreneurial community across the island of Ireland and actively works to increase the number of angel investors investing in early stage companies. The HBAN team work on a regional basis to support the formation of new angel networks and with existing angel networks to develop their capability and capacity, and across a range of industry sectors. Its objective is to develop and foster private equity and business angel support in Ireland through a network of offices countrywide.
IBEC
Ibec is the representative body for Irish business from small and local to large and international. The organisation works with government and policy makers to drive economic growth and shape business conditions both nationally and internationally. Ibec provides a range of supports to its members including information and resources on HR best practice, Industrial Relations and Health and Safety.
IntertradeIreland
IntertradeIreland is cross-border organisiation supported by both the British and Irish governments to enhance economic cooperation to enhance business in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The body supports SMEs and emerging businesses by providing funding, advice and mentoring, venture capital and business angel services and networking and events.
Invest NI
Invest NI helps business to compete internationally and works to attract international business to Northern Ireland. The body is part of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment and provides strong government support for business by delivering the UK Government’s economic development strategies. Invest NI provides services, programmes, support and advice to business owners across Northern Ireland focusing on those with high potential and the ability to succeed overseas – such as its Invest NI Regional Start programme.
Irish Patents Office
The Irish Patents Office is responsible for the protection of industrial property rights through patents, trademarks and designs and for providing relevant information on such subjects.
Kernel Capital Partners
Founded in 2002 Kernel Capital Partners have raised over €170m (£140m) in funds, with their associate life science firm Seroba Kernel Limited raising €62.5m (£52m). Their portfolio of over 70 companies employ over 1,100 people, most at graduate and post graduate level.
Microfinance Ireland
Microfinance Ireland is a not-for-profit lender established to deliver the Government’s Microenterprise Loan Fund. The Microenterprise Loan Fund forms part of a suite of financial schemes provided through the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to assist Irish businesses across all industry sectors and aims to help those who may not meet the requirements of other lending institutions.
NDRC Female Founders
NDRC is an early stage investor in tech companies and provides modest amounts of capital and high amounts of hands-on support to early stage companies. Its part-time Female Founders programme gives the selected idea owners access to a defined process and the best mentors in town, and introductions to the people who can become part of the team.
Plato Dublin
Plato is a not for profit business development programme that helps SMEs grow their business in a planned way. Funded by the four LEO offices in Dublin, it provides the necessary tools to help you achieve your ambitions.
Revenue – Irish Tax and Customs
The government’s website gives you up to date information on all things tax-related from tax credits, relief and rates to carer’s credits and the Universal Social Charge. Here you can register for PAYE anytime, pay your local property tax and submit your tax returns online through ROS the Revenue Online Service.
The Rubicon Centre
The Rubicon Centre is a Cork-based innovation hub, which runs a number of initiatives to support female entrepreneurs. Exxcel is a part time programme designed for females who have a business idea with high growth and export potential. Ideas can include ventures that are Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths (STEM) related.
PINC is a part-time programme for female entrepreneurs who want to take their business ideas to the next stage. The programme is run part-time over eight weeks, allowing participants to balance their family commitments while at the same time plan and develop their business ventures.
Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs is a European exchange programme initiated by the EU in 2009 which seeks to give an opportunity to new or aspiring entrepreneurs to get a first-hand, practical coaching from experienced entrepreneurs running a small and medium sized business (SMEs) in Europe.
Small Business Finance
The Irish Banking Federation and Chambers Ireland have partnered to create Small Business Finance an information website for small businesses, entrepreneurs, start-ups and established businesses.
StartupDublin
Niamh Bushnell was recently appointed Dublin’s first Commissioner for Startups, a role created as a result of the Activating Dublin report spearheaded by Dublin Chamber of Commerce and Dublin City Council. The Commissioner’s office will support projects that enhance Dublin’s character and reputation as a great tech city.
Teagasc
Teagasc is the agriculture and food development authority in Ireland. Its mission is to support science-based innovation in the agri-food sector and in the broader economy.
The DCU Ryan Academy
The DCU Ryan Academy DCU Ryan Academy is a non-profit, joint venture between Dublin City University and the Ryan Family (Ryanair) that aims to be the leading supporter of entrepreneurs and innovation in Ireland.
The DCU Ryan Academy Female Propeller for High Fliers
The Female Propeller for High Fliers is an accelerator programme for female-led startups which specifically addresses the challenges facing female entrepreneurs, supported by Enterprise Ireland. This programme fast tracks female entrepreneurs, their leadership skills and their businesses and includes a programme of workshops, mentoring and networking opportunities.
www.ryanacademy.ie/propeller-venture-accelerator/female-propeller
The Small Firms Association
The Small Firms Association represents the needs of small business owners in Ireland and those employing less than 50 staff. The group has 8,000 member companies and is funded directly through their subscription fees.
Western Development Commission’s Western Investment Fund
The WDC Investment Fund (WDIF) funds community initiatives and flagship projects in the Western Region and invests directly in sustainable projects. The fund provides venture and seed capital as well as loans to businesses in the west of Ireland. The body can invest up to €1 million in any one project and works with those in the ICT, creative, Life Sciences, manufacturing, tourism and community spaces.
www.wdc.ie/wdc-investment-fund
Women in Business NI
Women in Business NI is a network for female entrepreneurs and business leaders in Northern Ireland. Established in 2002, the network has 1,000 members across many industry sectors. The group supports its members through a programme of networking events and “masterclasses” with industry experts.
Women’s Executive Network
WXN creates and delivers networking, mentoring, professional and personal development to “inform, inspire, connect and recognize” their community of 19,000 women and their organisations. Founded in 1997, WXN is Canada’s leading organisation dedicated to the advancement and recognition of women in management, executive, professional and board roles. WXN launched in Ireland in 2008.
