Ireland is very much a nation of inventors, entrepreneurs and creators and at a recent event held in IT Sligo more than 40 existing and potential entrepreneurs came together to hear from Enterprise Ireland, Sligo County Enterprise Board and IT Sligo on the wide range of supports available to them.
Speakers on the night included Terri Scott, President, IT Sligo, who spoke about the Innovation Centre at the IT, its benefits and advantages to the county. Carole Brenan, Senior Regional Development Executive, Enterprise Ireland, gave an overview on how Enterprise Ireland can support people interested in starting an innovative, export focused business and of the various incubation programs such as Propel and CEIM that they run. John Reilly, CEO, Sligo County Enterprise Board (SCEB) outlined their level of supports for micro enterprise.
Guest speaker on the night, Sean Gallagher CEO, Smarthomes and RTE’s Dragons Den fame gave a very informative outline of his vast business expertise and said that “Success leaves clues”. According to Sean, there are three traits to a successful Entrepreneur:
- CONFIDENCE – in yourself, your business and your idea
- ACTION – “you will never plough a field by ploughing it over in your mind” so take the actions you feel necessary at the time
- RISK – this he believes to be the fundamental trait of the entrepreneur, taking a risk while protecting your basic assets.
(L to R) Janette Gillen, Business Innovation Centre Manager, IT Sligo, Sean Gallagher, Guest Speaker, Prof. Terri Scott, President, IT Sligo, Sarah Fay, Administrator, IT Sligo and Niall McEvoy, Head of Innovation., IT Sligo at the recent Enterprise Ireland information evening held in the Institute
A core strategy for Enterprise Ireland is to drive export growth and to secure increased national and regional prosperity. Speaking at the event Carole Brenan, Senior Regional Development Executive, Enterprise Ireland, said: “Developing the entrepreneurial culture regionally and driving the growth of export focused innovation based start ups is key to this. Enterprise Ireland works to proactively develop existing client companies in all sectors in the Region and also to facilitate local and rural enterprise development.”
For more information on starting your own business contact:
Enterprise Ireland
Tel: 071 9159700
Email: Startup.BorderRegion@nullenterprise-ireland.com
Web: www.enterprise-ireland.com
For more information on supports available from IT Sligo please contact:
Mr. Niall McEvoy
Head of Innovation
The Innovation Centre
Institute of Technology, Sligo.
Direct: +353(0)71 9155385
Mobile: 087 6215426
Email: Mcevoy.niall@nullitsligo.ie