Phase 1 Open for applications  - Apply Now

Enterprise Platform Programme 2012

Since 2001, Dundalk Institute of Technology's Novation Enterprise Platform Programme (NEPP) has supported over 100 entrepreneurs in their quest for commercial success. A recent survey (Feb 2011) shows 64% are still in business with a cumulative turnover of in excess of €68 Million, continuing an upward trend.

The EPP offers Business Advice, Training and Mentoring to start-up and early stage entrepreneurs in the Knowledged Based and Technology Sectors.

EPP2012 is structured in 3 Phases:

Phase 1: (Max 30 promoters)

· Will determine the business case (feasibility)

· Delivered part time over six weeks

· Located in Invent DCU and the Regional Development Centre, DkIT

· Two programmes starting in February and March 2012

Phase 2: (10 – 12 promoters)

Will develop an investor ready Business Plan

6 Months full time commitment required

Intensive supports including training, mentoring, hot desking, etc.

€15,000 cash support for eligible projects.

Phase 3: (Max 8 Promoters)

Provides customised supports focused on Business Growth to help promoters acquire first clients, investment or enter export markets.

Some Participant Testimonials:

Colin O’Brien CleverClothesLine, Julianstown, Co. Meath (2006 Programme)

“The weather outside may turn frightful but don't worry - the clevercloseline has you covered”. So says Julianstown entrepreneur Colin O’Brien who started his business whilst participating on the NEPP programme based in DkIT. Colin’s product solves the problem of hanging freshly washed laundry out to dry in Ireland’s unpredictable weather, a device that deploys a cover over a rotary washing line at the first signs of rain.

Colin spoke of his time on the programme, "from concept to market NEPP has given me a terrific grounding in all aspects of the business from financial planning to marketing strategies to get a product to market”. CleverClothesLine was recently seen on Dragon’s Den and received an offer of investment from the Dragons.

Helen Bradley Lennon, GolfersDen, (2009 Programme)

Golf clubs, balls and golfing accessories have changed dramatically over the last twenty years due to improvements in technology and materials but one thing hasn’t improved during that period, and that is the average golfer’s handicap. Former Novation EPP participant and Golf Coach Helen Bradley Lennon has set about to correct this anomaly by developing a suite of applications using her Sports Science background, experience gained in Ireland’s Golf Training Academy and as an international golf coach.

With her business partner, Film Maker and Digital Media expert Damian Purcell they’ve just launched an on-line golfing tool GolfersDen which is currently number 1 position for sports related Apps in the iTunes store. As Helen puts it “the APP makes your iPhone the most essential tool in your golf bag. Golfers can improve their handicap, broaden their network and enjoy a new golfing experience. Simply put we shave shots off your handicap”.

Available for download in Ireland, Britain and the US, Lennon believes the main market for GolfersDen is China where 3000 golf courses are currently being built providing a huge appetite for golf products.

Speaking about the programme Helen stressed “the Novation Programme at DKIT gave me the know-how to develop a new and technically challenging SmartPhone business”.

Peter Smyth, RedMere, (2003 Programme)

A little over five years ago Peter Smyth set up Fingal-based RedMere. He had held a number of senior roles in Ireland and abroad having lived in Munich and previous to that in Portland, Oregon for a number of years. He felt the time was right for him to pursue the dream of forming his own technology business and in 2004 Peter joined the NEPP Programme in DkIT. Reflecting back on the programme Peter put it in perspective: “my participation on the NEPP programme was one of the seminal events in RedMere’s early development. It provided structure and an invaluable support network".

Since completing the programme RedMere went on to develop a new technology called Smart Cables, and are now riding the wave of video usage on iPad2, Android Smartphones and Gaming Consoles by allowing these devices to use HDTVs as larger external displays. Global customers today include Vizio, Monster, RadioShack and Buffalo. RedMere has also secured investment of more than $20 million from international venture capital funds and has operations in Fingal, Cork, the US, Japan and Taiwan.

Kieran Fitzpatrick Barracuda FX (2008 Programme)

Kieran Fitzpatrick, founder and CEO of Barracuda FX joined the Novation Enterprise Platform Programme in 2008. At that time he had a strong product vision and concept but had not yet developed a product or secured a customer. “Those nine months of support which the programme provided gave me the tools I needed to start and lead an international technology business. The support, guidance and belief from the programme team really helped to make it happen”.

Two short years later, Barracuda FX employs 20 people at the IFSC in Dublin and provides trading and risk management software solutions to international banks. Barracuda FX also won InterTrade Ireland’s Seedcorn competition in the High Growth section in 2010, a feat shared with two other former NEPP participants fellow Cavan man Sean Gallagher of SmartHomes and Deirdre MacCormack of Mcor Technologies.

Application Form and Overview can be downloaded here:

Application

Overview

For further details on the programme please contact:

Garrett Duffy

Enterprise Development Manager

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Tel: 042 9370400

The RDC are hosting a series of One to One Intellectual Property Clinics in 2012 giving advice on all aspects of IP - Patents, Trademarks, Copyright and Registered Designs.The next session will run from 9am to 1pm on Friday 17th February and will be on a first come basis. Bookings can be made by contacting Joanne Kearns, Phone:  042 9370400     Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Congratulations to Sligo manufacturing company and STS participant, O'Hara's Gutters, who has been recognised by Intertradeireland for its commitment to innovation after taking part in the all-island technology transfer programme, FUSION. Follow link below
http://www.sligochampion.ie/news/tubbercurry-firm-wins-intertradeireland-prize-3007836.html

 Success Through Succession: Cohort II an interactive workshop

The Success Through Succession (STS) Programme is a three-year programme with total project funding of €1.74m and is a collaborative partnership between Dundalk Institute of Technology, Glasgow Caledonian University, being led by the University of Ulster and aims to strategically assist family owned SMEs across Northern Ireland, the Six Border Counties of Ireland and the West of Scotland to manage the challenges of succession using a series of interventions.
On 31^st January 2012 the STS Programme in Ireland hosted our regional Workshop 2 event for our Cohort II STS participant companies in the Glass House Hotel, Sligo. All twelve cohort II companies were able to attend the event with a total of 26 delegates from our companies and a generous mix of both senior and younger generation. The event was also attended by some our mentor panel with representation from each of the STS mentoring themes of finance, general business, tax and business psychology. This one-day event offered interactive sessions crossing themes of the family business context facilitated by Francis Martin of the BDO Family Business Centre, and preparation for succession, focusing on family and management components and finally developing the business facilitated by Cathy Booth of the BDO Family Business Centre. The event also included a keynote speaker and family business practitioner Barbara Hughes of Boozeberries.

 
Participant testimonials of the event include:

‘Very interesting.’

‘SWOT analysis very interesting. ‘

‘Thought provoking. ‘

‘Well conducted.

‘Hit the most relevant organisational issues.’

Participant testimonials on the most valuable part the event include:

‘Open discussions, processes.’

‘Group work plus feedback. ‘

‘Interaction with other family business owners… Speaking with other companies and highlighting the weaknesses.’

‘Excellent speakers, very informative.’

‘Preparation of an action plan to deal with handover. …Preparing for succession. ‘

For further information visit:

www.successthroughsuccession.com where the STS Workbook and other pertinent information can be accessed by both the participant companies and other family owned businesses.

And/or contact Aidan Browne, STS Project Manager for Ireland on +353 (0)42 9327455

To celebrate the 10^th anniversary of the Novation Enterprise Platform Programme, the Regional Development Centre was transformed into an exhibition centre on Thursday 19^th January last. The Novation EPP is a comprehensive programme of support for technology start-up companies and over 20 past and current participants “set up stall” for the day. Just short of 150 delegates were in attendance many of whom were also interested in learning about the new 2012 programme being unveiled during the exhibition.

President of DkIT, Denis Cummins welcomed those in attendance and gave an overview of some of the successes achieved by the 130 programme participants over the past 10 years. – notably a growth in turnover to €64 million per annum and employment of 400 direct employees (mostly 3^rd level graduates). He was particularly pleased with the collaboration with DCU Invent which was agreed in May 2011 and which will continue for future programmes.

Conor Fahy, Regional Director Enterprise Ireland, spoke about the pivotal role that the RDC plays in fostering start-ups and innovation in the Region and Enterprise Ireland’s delight to be partnering with DkIT on the new programme.

Three past participants spoke about their journey building successful businesses and the role the Novation EPP programme played. For Peter Smyth, Founder and Chairman of RedMere the programme provided focus and the environment to learn how to start and grow a business that now is headquartered in Ireland and has a significant presence in the United States and Taiwan.

Deirdre MacCormack, CMO Mcor Technologies, had some advice for those starting out on their entrepreneurial journey – “avail of all hard and soft supports you can, mentors are magic, enter as many competitions as you can (it sharpens the business plan) and Network, Network, Network.

Kieran Fitzpatrick, CEO Barracuda FX, was on the programme in 2008/09. For Kieran the programme supported him in many ways:

• Getting from Idea to Business
• Exposure to New Ideas & Fresh Thinking
• Mentoring & Networking
• Provided a supportive Environment
• Objective Critical Review
• Building Confidence
• Provided Discipline

The audience also heard from Grainne Lennon InterTradeIreland who spoke about the unparalleled run of success NEPP participants have had in InterTradeIreland’s Seedcorn Competition providing overall winners on three occasions and Regional Winners on a further three occasions.

Sean MacEntee, Incubation Centre Manager in the RDC gave an overview of the new programme and announced that the new programme is now open for applications. Phase one will be over 8 weeks (part time, evenings) delivered in two locations Dundalk and Glasnevin and will commence in February.

For the remainder of the afternoon delegates visited the stands, networked and did business. The showcase, with exhibitors such as Digiweb, The Design Basket, SMEContracts.ie, Danu Wind, STATSports, Big Mountain Productions, Armac Systems, Mara Irish Surf and many more, also highlighted the variety of sectors and business ideas developed with the support of the programme over the past decade.

If you would like further information on the Novation EPP or would like to Apply for the new programme, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Tel 042 9370427

The engineering students of DkIT got a welcome treat when one of the local leading employers in the renewable energy sector came to give the students a talk. Organised and run by DkIT Student Enterprise, it was not an event to be missed as students and staff alike filled the engineering theatre. Manufacturing manager Niall O'Callaghan presented the up and coming technology of tidal energy systems which are being developed in Greenore and which have been deployed off Canada and France. Although the company has not yet commercialised their products, they have received investments of over €80 million from different corporate and private investors, which signifies the belief in this new sector. The event finished up with a lengthy Q&A session as students left with renewed hope of potential employment possibilities. DkIT Student Enterprise would  like to thank everybody who attended OpenHydros talk. We look forward to your continued support throughout the year.

For more information about DkIT Student Enterprise and upcoming activities you can find us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/dkitstudententerprise

It was a day to remember for Student Enterprise at DkIT, Bobby Kerr Chairman of Insomnia who has other vested business interests in the hotelier, restaurant and food sectors took time out from his hectic schedule to come and speak to a packed Whitaker theatre full of budding entrepreneurs. Taking to the stage Bobby talked about how he started off in life after college and the first day he opened his doors for trade on Grafton Street. Bobby kept the crowd entertained throughout with a collection of pictures from over the years and funny clips from Dragons’ Den. His advice included what not to do in business and most importantly his top ten tips for life. He was also enthusiastic about the €10 Challenge encouraging students to take part in it at the end of his talk. DkIT Student Enterprise would once again like to thank everybody who attended Bobby Kerr’s talk. We look forward to your continued support throughout the year.

For more information about DkIT Student Enterprise and upcoming activities you can find us on facebook at: www.facebook.com/dkitstudententerprise