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In this episode of WestBIC’s Enterprising Podcast, host Colleen Baxter sits down with Gráinne Mullins, the award-winning pastry chef turned entrepreneur behind Grá Chocolates.
Gráinne shares her journey from working in Michelin-starred kitchens to building a luxury chocolate brand renowned for its artistry and quality.
She opens up about the challenges of scaling a premium handmade product, the lessons learned along the way, and the pivotal moments that signaled her brand’s success. With International Women’s Day in mind, Gráinne also discusses how the business community can better support female entrepreneurs.
Tune in for insights into the balance between creativity and business leadership, the power of mentorship, and, of course, a quick-fire round to wrap it all up!
Listen now and satisfy your sweet tooth at grachocolates.com.
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In this episode of WestBIC’s Enterprising Podcast, Mary Ryan, Deputy CEO of WestBIC sits down with Mary McKenna. Mary is a Donegal-based entrepreneur, angel investor, and co-founder of AwakenHub—a social enterprise dedicated to supporting women founders across Ireland. She is also the Chair of AwakenAngels, Ireland’s first and only all-island, women-led investment community.
Mary shares her entrepreneurial journey, reflecting on the struggles of raising investment in 2006 and how the investment landscape has evolved. She emphasizes the importance of being ambitious from day one, grasping opportunities, and recognizing that every opportunity is connected to a network.
Join us as we discuss investing in female founders, the power of networks, and accelerating action for gender equality ahead of International Women’s Day 2025. Plus, don’t miss our fun quick-fire round to wrap up the episode!
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Saknas det avsnitt?
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In today’s tech-driven world, keeping up with digital trends can feel overwhelming, especially for smaller businesses and public organisations. But that’s where Data2Sustain steps in.
In this episode, John Brennan, CEO of WestBIC, and Mike Conroy, Director of Data2Sustain, unpack the critical role of Data2Sustain, a European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH), in helping businesses transition toward sustainability through digital innovation.
Key highlights include:
An introduction to Data2Sustain’s services, such as Business Model Development, 'Test-Before-Invest,' pilot projects, and skills training.The importance of combining tech and sustainability expertise to drive impactful change.Overcoming challenges like AI adoption and closing the digital skills gap.Small businesses can often struggle to keep up with digital advances, so Data2Sustain is here to level the playing field. By providing access to technology and expert advice, the hub helps SMEs boost competitiveness, streamline their operations, and explore new growth opportunities.
For more information visit https://data2sustain.ie/ or contact WestBIC directly on https://www.westbic.ie/
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In this episode, Mary Ryan, Deputy CEO at WestBIC, delves into the specifics of Enterprise Ireland's Pre-Seed Start Fund. She provides a comprehensive overview of the fund, explaining its purpose and the crucial role it plays in nurturing early-stage start-ups. Mary details the eligibility criteria, outlining who can apply and the types of projects and entrepreneurs the fund is designed to support.
Furthermore, Mary discusses the application process, offering valuable insights and tips for potential applicants to improve their chances of success. She also emphasises how WestBIC can support you throughout the process, from initial application to securing funding.
Mary's insights make this episode an invaluable resource for anyone considering applying for the Pre-Seed Start Fund, providing clarity and guidance on leveraging this opportunity for business growth and innovation.
To find out more about our unique service offerings, contact us at www.westbic.ie
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In this episode, Padraig Considine from Professional Accounting Solutions sheds light on the journey of enterprising individuals venturing into the dynamic realm of entrepreneurship. He delves deep into tailored business insights crafted specifically for those initiating their entrepreneurial odyssey. Whether you're venturing into startup territory, transforming a passion project into a business, or simply exploring the entrepreneurial landscape for the first time, you're in the right place. Join us as we uncover practical strategies, dispense invaluable tips, and illuminate the path forward. From tackling initial hurdles to seizing promising opportunities, we're here to equip you with the knowledge and motivation essential for success. So, gear up with your entrepreneurial spirit and let's set sail on this exciting adventure together!
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In this episode Seamus McCormack, Area Manager at WestBIC delves into the profound impact of social enterprises in today's society. Join us as we discuss their benefits and highlight inspiring stories of positive change. Discover how social enterprises are reshaping our world, balancing financial success with social impact. It’s clear that social enterprises play a vital role in shaping a more inclusive and socially conscious economy. By balancing financial success with positive societal impact, social enterprises are contributing to a brighter and more sustainable future.
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WestBIC's Alison McGonagle sits down with Anne Marie McLaughlin, Innovation Manager of the recently opened Inishowen Innovation (ii) in Buncrana, Co. Donegal, to discuss what the true benefits are of innovation hubs and facilities.
This episode explores:
Can you have it all? Work-life balance - can you have a successful career or start up while being based in a more rural area as opposed to the bigger urban centres?The added benefits of an innovation centre or hubHow Inishowen Innovation came to fruitionAnne Marie's return back home from the StatesThe continuous growth of innovation in DonegalThe supports available in Donegal and the NorthWest regionInishowen Innovation Website: https://theii.com/
Email: [email protected]
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This episode is for any early-stage entrepreneur, people thinking about perusing entrepreneurship or applying for funding. The beginning of this story is about identifying a real problem worth tackling with a view to building a profitable business but as the conversation develops, Margaret Rae, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Konree Innovation delves into many tips and tricks to building an investible business and so much more. Margaret talks to Chantal Costello (WestBIC), about the supports she received from New Frontiers, to EMPOWER, to the Women EU Tech Award, to WestBIC, to Enterprise Ireland.
Some key topics include:
- Konree Innovation, how it all started and the idea generation process
- Margaret’s move from a researcher to an entrepreneur
- Stepping forward into female entrepreneurship and overcoming barriers
- Building confidence
- Building a network that you can trust and lean on, supporting fellow entrepreneurs and paying opportunities forward.
- Understanding and acknowledging the gaps in your business and making a plan to fill them.
- What startups need to know about Enterprise Ireland’s Pre Seed Start Fund
- Optimising investment to propel the company, hitting milestones and impact management.
- How to hire the right team .
- Recruiting the right co-founder, and co-founder compatibility!
- Tips on writing applications
- So much more!!
Register for the next online Application Support Workshops are organised by the Business Innovation Centres (BIC) in collaboration with Enterprise Ireland for the Pre Seed Start Fund here. These workshops are interactive and participation is welcomed from entrepreneurs and early stage companies considering applying to the fund, including those based internationally looking to start a business in Ireland. Workshops are free to attend but advance registration is required.
Contact Margaret here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-rae-74304736/?originalSubdomain=ie
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This episode is whistle-stop tour for entrepreneurs, founders and new business owners to ensure they avoid making critical legal mistakes that could back to bite them! Laura Myles, the Head of Data Privacy and IP at Flynn O'Driscoll LLP and Cian Mannion, Corporate associate at Flynn O’Driscoll LLP speak to Ultan Faherty, Project Manager at WestBIC around investment, intellectual property protection and shareholder matters.
Listen to this episode to gain clear, tangible & practical insights into:
- The benefits of incorporating a company
- The importance of a shareholder’s agreement, especially when it comes to cofounding a company
- Protecting Intellectual Property Rights
- Should equity be on the table as an incentive to key hires?
- Being realistic about the exit strategy
- The risk of diluting the ownership of your own company
- Taking on investment at scaling stage
- Red flags & green flags that investors look for when investing in a start-up
- Investor rights that a company should be aware of
- What are term sheets & are they negotiable?
- What to look out for when thinking about an acquisition
- Areas that can affect valuation.
- And so much more!
For more legal advice tailored specifically to your start-up, contact Laura Myles [email protected] or Cian Mannion– [email protected]
Website: https://fod.ie
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Glacann Mícheál Ó Duibhir, Oifigeach Forbartha an Gheilleagair Dhigiteach le hÚdarás na Gaeltachta an micreafón fiontraíochta chun insint do Eunan Mac Cuinneagáin, Bainisteoir Réigiúnach WestBIC faoi na deiseanna atá ann gnó a thosnú i gceann de na 27 moil digiteach atá lonnaithe ins na ceantair Gaeltachta. Labhraíonn Mícheál faoin tallann, cothromaíocht oibre-saoil agus deiseanna chun fostaíocht a chrúthú i ngnólachtaí nuathionscanta agus i ngnólachtaí atá bunaithe cheana féin.
Fáigh eolas ar an bhealach atá Údarás na Gaeltachta ag tabhairt deiseanna do dhaoine filleadh ar an Ghaeltacht, trí leas a bhaint as na tacaíochtaí atá ar fáil sna ceantair Ghaeltachta do ghnólachtaí, d’fhiontraithe, do chian-oibrithe agus do bhaill den diaspóra.
Fágann Mícheál an príomhtheachtaireacht “Ná bíodh eagla ar bith ort cuidiú a lorg, mar tá go leor cuidiú amuigh ansin” don lucht éisteachta, agus ‘sé an chéad chéim ná éisteacht leis an bpodchraoladh seo!
Is féidir teagmháil a dhéanamh le Mícheál ag [email protected].
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Mícheál Ó Duibhir, the Digital Economy Development Officer with Údarás na Gaeltachta takes to the enterprising microphone to tell Eunan Cunningham, Regional Manager at WestBIC about the opportunities for starting a business in one of the 27 digital hubs located in Gaeltacht areas. Mícheál speaks about talent, work-life balance and opportunities for employment generation in new start-ups and existing businesses.
Find out how Údarás na Gaeltachta is giving people the opportunity to move back to the Gaeltacht, by availing of the supports for businesses, entrepreneurs, remote workers, and members of the diaspora in the Gaeltacht areas.
Mícheál leaves listeners with the key message of “Don’t be afraid to ask for help, because help is out there”, and listening to this podcast is the first step!
You can contact Mícheál at [email protected]
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Celebrating 25 years in business, Noreen D'Arcy of D'Arcy Marketing & PR takes the Enterprising mic to discuss: marketing for startups, female entrepreneurship, building a personal brand and taking guidance from mentors who will push you and your business forward. Noreen opens up about how working in the hospitality industry was a major opportunity for her, unbeknown at the time. We talk about navigating decisions after a disappointing leaving certificate and starting a career at a time where there were 2.5 sales & marketing jobs in Galway City in hotels. We also touch on taking time out, accepting different forms of support, both in business and in life, self-awareness, and learning from failures.
This is an extremely authentic and relatable story of how a conversation over pints in an Irish pub encouraged a female to trust in her own ability and set up her own marketing & PR agency.
Noreen delves into the importance of understanding your USP, your market niche and why your customers buy from you, as well as creating and conveying your own unique story, your perception of your USP v the customers perception of the USP. Whether you’re a female founder, a business person, a marketeer or a student, this conversation will show you the importance of self-awareness and learning from failures.
Get in touch with Noreen via her website: https://darcymarketingandpr.ie
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Patrick McDermott, Co-Founder & CEO at DigiTally tells Niamh Considine, WestBIC about his entrepreneurial journey from concept to commercialisation! The Galway based entrepreneur speaks about how to overcome start-up challenges including the fund-raising process in Ireland, a route to scale that works, deciding to grow the business, solving a real problem and recruiting the right team to take your business all the way.
DigiTally software provides marginal gains to a multisite food business through effective management of profitability, food waste and improved operational efficiency. Digitally enables businesses to make timely decisions from trustworthy data, which is particularly vital in perishable food businesses.
Top tips for businesses and individuals to reduce food waste at 12.40 mins!
Hear about the dangers of both overstocking and understocking at 15.51 mins!
Contact Patrick: [email protected]
Book a demo: https://godigitally.io/request-demo/
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In this episode, WestBIC’s Alison McGonagle meets Kevin Sexton, the Head of Innovation at the Alpha Innovation Centre to discuss all things enterprise in Donegal and the Northwest of Ireland. The innovation advocates talk about converting problems into opportunities, scaling startups and the importance of failing fast.
Kevin shares his experience from across Europe and brings home the 4 phases of innovation to Inishowen, Co. Donegal. Kevin speaks about improving, adapting and developing as all being key elements of the innovation process. The Donegal natives highlight the range of supports, initiatives and opportunities for collaboration across the northwest and speak about the state of innovation in the region, the ecosystem and the start-up landscape.
Kevin speaks about The Alpha Innovation Centre, which is going to be a central space in Letterkenny where magic happens, where people can come out of their own biases and beliefs and collaborate locally with global ambition. The centre will provide a state-of-the-art innovative workspace for new start-ups and existing businesses with the aim of building a dynamic innovative ecosystem where both new and existing businesses will have the opportunity to operate their day-to-day business activities, network, and collaborate.
If you are interested in business opportunities, starting a business in a rural area or engaging in initiatives across the Northwest, this episode is for you!
Read more here: https://donegal.ie/propertysolutions/alpha-innovation-centre-letterkenny
You can contact Kevin at [email protected]
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In this episode, Mary Ryan speaks to Steven Griffen from the Health Innovation Hub Ireland, who shares insights on working closely with the healthcare community and academic partners from across a diverse range of disciplines to investigate opportunities for innovation, and progress projects based on unmet clinical needs. Steven also speaks about engaging in technology evaluation with Irish companies to develop HIHI projects and supports healthcare employees to progress their ideas into products.
The vision of the HIH is to establish Ireland as a leading location for start-ups and expanding healthcare companies, allowing easy interaction with hospitals and primary care centres. They aim to drive collaboration between the health service and enterprise, leading to the development of new healthcare technologies, products, and services.
Join the FemTech network here https://hih.ie/engage/femtech/
Visit the Health Innovation Hub Ireland's website here: https://hih.ie
Listen to this episode to hear about the Health Innovation Hub Ireland's objective to help companies get to market quicker!
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Off the back of the latest funding round, Michael Furey takes the Enterprising microphone to discuss Ronspot’s challenges and triumphs over the past 4 years. Michael speaks about having a keen awareness of the current market and how this opened doors for further product development and expansion, how availing of the supports in Ireland has helped Ronspot, and how to lead a team to make good business decisions.
Contact Michael [email protected]
Find out more or book a demo: https://ronspotflexwork.com
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This episode dives deep into investment and female entrepreneurship, the disparities between women and men on the island of Ireland when it comes to business investment, starting a business and attitudes to risk. Mary McKenna, the co-founder of AwakenHub, speaks on her unexpected route to entrepreneurship at 43 years of age. Mary and Ultan, the project manager at WestBIC also discuss how inflation is affecting the investment space, strategies for sourcing investment and the keys to building a sustainable business.
Don't miss this!
Find out more about AwakenHub here: https://www.awakenhub.com
Apply for SheGen 2.0 here: https://www.awakenhub.com/shegenerate2
Applications close 5pm on Friday 9 September 2022.
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At WestBIC, we understand the importance of perception, so in this episode we shake things up. We interviewed Bernard Carlson, Programme Manager of AgInnovate, a one-year MSc in NUI Galway and compared and contrasted his viewpoint with up and coming entrepreneur, Kieran Supple, Co-Founder of Reap Interactive - an agricultural technology company focusing on the next generation of farming solutions, who are using technology to feed the growing population.
Hear about the agents of change, the power of data and the advantages of adopting a data-focussed approach to increase efficiency and predictability in the agriculture industry.
Important Links
Contact Kieran Supple: [email protected]
Contact Bernard Carlson: [email protected]
Read more about AgInnovate: https://www.westbic.ie/news/nui-galways-masters-agriinnovation-applications-closing-soon
Apply for AgInnovate: https://springboardcourses.ie/details/10482
Find us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram & Facebook – Let us know if you found this episode beneficial!
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In this Episode Mary Ryan, Deputy CEO at WestBIC reveals what it really takes to become a high potential startup company, the commonly faced challenges in today's business climate and how these can be overcome.
Mary highlights the vast array of tailored and specialised services that WestBIC offers to budding entrepreneurs in the West and the Northwest of Ireland to support them on their unique journey to commercial success
Whether you are a student entrepreneur, a pre-seed company or a scaling startup seeking private investment - this episode is not to be missed!
To find out more about our unique service offerings, contact us at www.westbic.ie
Tell us if you found this episode benefical!
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook & LinkedIn
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Ins an eagrán seo, tá Micheál Ó hEanaigh, Príomhfheidhmeannach Údarás na Gaeltachta ag labhairt le Eunan Cunningham, Bainisteoir Réigiúnach ag WestBIC, faoin Fhéile Eoraip na Nuálaithe Faoi 35 atá á reáchtáil ag MIT Technology Review, atá ag teacht go hÉirinn ar an 19ú - 21ú Bealtaine 2022, don chéad uair riamh. Tá seo ar cheann de na himeachtaí is suntasaí ar domhan a thugann ómós do nuálaithe óga a bhfuil sé mar aidhm acu cur go dearfach leis an domhan trí mheán na teicneolaíochta.
Tiocfaidh na nuálaithe is cliste san Eoraip le chéile i nGaoth Dobhair, Dún na nGall, lena gcuid oibre a chur ar taispeáint agus le bualadh le físithe atá ar aon intinn leo féin atá ag baint leasa as forbairtí teicneolaíochta chun an todhchaí a mhúnlú agus chun saolta a athrú. Roinnfidh ceannairí Eorpacha agus domhanda ó MedTech, Teicneolaíocht Ghlas, earnálacha TF agus níos mó a bhfuil foghlamtha acu maidir le hinbhuanaitheacht, cruthaitheacht, nuálaíocht agus fiontraíocht. Éist anois le tuilleadh a fháil amach!
Ceannaigh ticéid anseo: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/innovators-under-35-europe-festival-of-innovation-tickets-259388557157
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- Visa fler
