Local Enterprise Office’s 10-Step Guide to Starting Your Own Busines

Step 1: Test Your Business Idea

• Our Start Your Own Business programme provides you with an opportunity to assess the potential of your business idea.
• Have I got the right business skills?
• Think about who will buy your product or service.
• What is the benefit to them and how much will they pay?

Step 2: What About Market Research?

• From the outset market research is essential in helping you to identify your target market and customers.
• It will also help you to identify your competitors and how to compete effectively.
• Research is also effective in assessing demand for a new product or service

Market research will establish the real potential for your product or service.

Step 3: What are Your Business Requirements?

• Have you considered the best location for the business?
• Identify your basic equipment requirements and costs.
• How many staff will you need to employ?
• Identify your overhead costs e.g. insurance.
• Can your business idea benefit from new technologies? e.g. by online selling.

Step 4: What are your Investment Requirements?

• Identify all start-up and running costs associated with the business.
• Identify ways of financing your business venture.
• Seek financial support and benefit from direct referral to Government agencies.
• Seek advice on other sources of support e.g. Banks, Credit Unions, Microfinance Ireland, family support, other non-bank finance.

Step 5: Developing your Marketing Strategy

• Marketing your business idea is a fundamental aspect of starting up.
• Research the most cost effective methods of marketing your business.
• Write you Marketing Plan

Step 6: Developing your Sales Plan

• How will you promote your product or service?
• Who and where is your target market (local, national, international)?
• What channels of distribution will be used?
• Determine your selling price and break-even point.

Step 7: What is the best legal structure for you?

What type of company will allow you to make the best decisions for your business? You could be a:

• Sole trader
• Partnership
• Limited Company

Step 8: Managing the risks

• Starting a business is a big step to take.
• A new business can be exciting.  However, it can also be risky.
• For some it means risking personal savings and secure employment.

Step 9: Avoiding Unnecessary Risks

• Register your business name with the Companies Registration Office (CRO). Visit http://www.cro.ie
• Be aware of your tax obligations and register with your local revenue office. Visit http://www.revenue.ie
• Be aware of other statutory obligations such as trading licenses, planning permission, insurance, health & safety, patents, etc.
• Be aware of your responsibilities under employment rights legislation.

Step 10: And Finally……Write your Business Plan

• Business Planning is fundamental to success in business – managing the company, generating sales and growing jobs.
• It is the key to getting things done and making things happen.
• The finished business plan can be used as an operating tool that will help you to make important decisions and manage your business effectively.

 

 

Enterprise START Workshop

If you have an idea for an innovative and ambitious start-up business that has the potential for exporting and growth in International Markets, then Enterprise Ireland can assist you in exploring your new business idea through the Enterprise START Workshops.

The Workshops can help you build the foundations for your success by understanding:

• Your customer
• Your market
• Your funding needs

The workshops are practical, interactive and thought provoking. Participants will be provided with comprehensive information to understand the business development process including the key success factors and potential pitfalls as well as an outline of financial supports available from Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Office (https://www.localenterprise.ie/)

The next run of the programme will be Thursday July 2^nd , Meath Enterprise Centre, Navan Co. Meath

Enterprise START – Workshop Outline

2015 ITLG Silicon Valley Global Technology Summit

The ITLG Silicon Valley Global Technology Summit is a not-to-be-missed opportunity to network with tech leaders and investors from Silicon Valley and beyond. This year’s program will focus on the critical ingredients of the tech boom: Education, Investment and Entrepreneurship.

Who Should Attend:

• Investors looking for opportunities in every space from big data to agtech.
• Leaders hoping to understand and capitalize on the transformational technological changes sweeping the industry.
• Innovators hoping to learn about the new directions colleagues are taking their field.
• Elected Officials and Policy Makers hoping to understand the radical shifts that are transforming the technology industry.

Discussion Topics:

• Venture Capital and Fundraising Outlook
• Technology Meets Agriculture – The AgTech Revolution
• Big Data/Cloud and SaaS Boom
• Internet of Things and Mobile/Wearable Future
• The Innovation Ecosystem

Speakers:

Top leaders from the world’s most influential and disruptive tech companies – including Forbes, Intel, Amazon and
Apple–will join us to share their visions for the industry’s future. Visit itlg.org for a current list of confirmed speakers.

– To register for this event please visit – 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/silicon-valley-global-technology-summit-tickets-15224207013

Thinking Of Starting A New Business?

New Frontiers Phase 2 Participants Graduate!!

Thursday, 23rd April 2015 saw our Eleven companies Graduate from the New Frontiers Programme. Starting in September 2014, the companies have endured 6 months of intensive training.

Below is a link to a Slide Show of the Graduating Companies

New Frontiers Slideshow

We at the LINC wish them all the very best of luck moving forward with their businesses.

Our New Frontiers Graduates with Programme Organisers:
Left to Right Back Row – Oisin Geoghegan, Una Cahalan, Daire O’Neill, Daniel Sage, Alison McIntosh,Hugh Hayden, Pat Walsh, Chris Gregan, Colm O Maolmhuire, Gerry Delaney.
Left to Right Front Row – Claire Mac Namee, Elaine Ralph, Theresa Vallom, orla Reynolds, Assumpta Harvey

New Frontiers Participants Interviewed by the Irish Times!

New Innovators: SuperDisty & Komeer

Komeer (a play on the words “come here”) is a new two-way global mobile messaging service developed by businessman Pat Walsh to take the hassle out of getting key pieces of information to groups of people.

(http://www.komeer.com/)

 

SuperDisty is a new software solution aimed at making life easier for manufacturers and distributors engaging with online markets.

Both articles can be read at:

http://www.irishtimes.com/business/new-innovators-pat-walsh-of-komeer-1.2094131

http://www.irishtimes.com/business/new-innovators-superdisty-1.2155867

 

PHASE Project – 750th Course Participant! Irish Learn (timber) Construction from Biberach’s Carpentry Centre

Euro-MP Norbert Lins visits the 4th Group of Irish course participants at Kompetenzzentrum Holzbau & Ausbau

The Kompetenzzentrum honoured the 750th course participant, Niall Delaney from Dublin who takes part in the two week course for Passing Housing and Sustainable Energy technology using timber frame construction. Norbert Lins, member of the European Parliament, visited the centre to congratulate Mr Delaney.

PHASE is funded under the Leonardo da Vinci Mobility programme and targeted at people in the labour market. Over the course of the 4 Groups, ITB will have sent 80 participants from a construction background to KOMZET in southern Germany. KOMZET has provided a two week training programme utilising state of the art training facilities complimented by site visits to Passive House projects in the region

The Irish participant himself offers courses on timber construction at the Institute of Technology in Dublin. The first week of the Passive House Course covers mainly theorectical lessons. “In the second week they will also have some practical experiences“, adds Gerhard Lutz.

                                                       Niall Delaney with Norbert Lins (Euro-MP)

New Frontiers – Phase Two Programme DEADLINE for Applications March 20th

The next PHASE Two of the Programme will commence in May 2015. Deadline for applications is March 20th 2015

The New Frontiers Programme is Enterprise Ireland’s national entrepreneur development programme.

If you have an innovative business idea and are planning to establish and run your own company, the New Frontiers Programme could be for you.

We provide knowledge intensive, export oriented companies with a package of supports to help accelerate the business and to equip you with the skills and contacts that you need to successfully start and grow your company.

Application forms can be downloaded and completed at http://newfrontiersprogramme.com/how-to-apply.html

More details on the Programme can be found at http://newfrontiersprogramme.com/index.html

Any queries, contact

Hugh Hayden,

Enterprise Manager, The LINC, Institute of Technology Blanchardstown

Phone : 01.8851502    email : hugh.hayden@itb.ie

LINC hosts Governance Masterclass for Non-Profit Organisations

On the 26th February 2015, the LINC played host to a Governance Masterclass for Non-Profit Organisations seminar.

Organised by the partnership of the Institute of Technology Blanchardstown and Fingal County Council, the event attracted over 70 people. The Seminar gave attendees and understanding of the Governance Code for Community, Voluntary and Charitable Organisations.

ITB staff involved was Des Moore (Head of Civic Engagement), Francis McGeough (Academic Staff), Tom Donohoe (Academic Staff), and Mark Lonergan (Academic Staff).

Keynote Speaker for the Seminar was Cllr Tom Leddy, Deputy Mayor of Fingal.

Create Learn Grow @ the LINC “Horizon 2020 – European Research and Innovation Programme with a focus for SME”

“Running from 2014 to 2020 with a budget of just over €70 billion, Horizon 2020 is the EU’s new programme for research and innovation and is part of the drive to create new growth and jobs in Europe.”

On the 11th of March 2015 10am – 12pm, the LINC will host a Create Learn Grow Seminar on Horizon 2020 which will focus on SMEs. The seminar will be facilitated by Jill Leonard who is Enterprise Ireland’s National Contact Point for SMEs in Innovation.

The seminar will cover the following areas:

• Overview of Horizon 2020
• How to Participate in Horizon 2020
• Cost Reimbursement
• SME Instrument
• Fast Track to Innovation
• Supports for Companies applying for Horizon 2020 Funding

Places are limited for this event, if in the event you book a ticket and then are unable to attend please email us at thelinc@itb.ie

Bookings for the Seminar can be made at https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/horizon-2020-european-research-and-innovation-programme-a-focus-for-smes-tickets-15811686179