Design4Growth
25th March 2018
A programme to assist micro and small enterprises grow their business through the use of strategic design, is being rolled out to the South East of Ireland.
Called Design4Growth, the programme is funded by the Department of Business, Enterprise & Innovation (DBEI), and led by the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland (DCCoI) in partnership with the Local Enterprise Offices (LEO) in the South-East Region: Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford.
Design4Growth aims to support micro and small enterprises to grow through the strategic use of design and involves a panel of design strategists working with participating companies to identify ways in which design can improve their business. The programme offers over €10,000 in design and business supports.
Welcoming the programme, Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys, T.D., said: “Design is an integral part of the innovation agenda and this programme will be instrumental in increasing the number of micro and small businesses in the South East using design as a strategic enabler in their business development. I very much welcome this collaboration between the Design & Crafts Council and the LEOs in the South East. This Government is confident that supporting emerging Irish companies under the programme will maximise opportunities for success and create additional job opportunities in the region.”
Karen Hennessy, Chief Executive of the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland (DCCoI), said: “Working in partnership with other agencies in promoting the early adoption of design is central to DCCoI’s strategy. We are delighted to be leading the delivery of this innovative programme in collaboration with the network of Local Enterprise Offices. Design4Growth assists participating businesses in identifying practical ways in which design can enhance their product or service, boosting their potential to expand and successfully compete in international markets.”
Rita Guinan, Head of Enterprise, LEO Tipperary said: “Design4Growth provides companies with an invaluable opportunity to engage with experienced design strategists whose insight and advice will be instrumental in the development of their business. We look forward to seeing these micro and small enterprises evolve and grow as a result of their participation in the programme and to supporting their continued development into the future.”
The Design4Growth initiative was initially piloted in Dublin in 2015. Following the success of the pilot scheme in Dublin, the 2018 programme will focus on businesses in the South East region.
Through Design4Growth, 60 businesses in the South East will have the opportunity to attend information sessions that will provide an overview of the strategic value of design in business. Following the session, up to 20 of these companies will be invited to work with a design advisor to undertake a design audit. The design audit will help to identify core business challenges that a strategic design approach could resolve.
Ten businesses will then be chosen to undertake a series of workshops and one-to-one sessions working directly with a design strategist. Design4Growth provides the opportunity to understand how and where design can deliver tangible value. Workshops will inspire companies to develop products and services and to identify ways to improve customer experience.
To find out more about this Design4Growth initiative, companies in the South East region with three or more employees, can register to attend one of the free information sessions:
Woodford Dolmen Hotel, Carlow, 9.30am – 11.30am, Thursday 12th April. Book here>>
The Garden Room at the Medieval Museum, Waterford, 2.00pm – 4.00pm, Thursday 12th April. Book here>>
