On Thursday January 26th the Midland Regional Authority in partnership with Laois Local Authorities and Laois Chamber launched MidlandsIreland.ie as the exciting new regional brand.

The strategic goal is to develop and market a distinctly unique image and identity for the region that will attract investment and economic activity to the region as well as strengthening and sustaining rural communities in order to complement urban centres, and contribute to the distinct identity of the region. “MidlandsIreland.ie will be the brand that represents the region in multiple contexts and to diverse audiences” explained Mr. Daly, Director, Midland Regional Authority.

The Midland Regional Authority represents counties Longford, Westmeath, Laois and Offaly. “Together is better” added Mr. Daly. “The MidlandsIreland.ie brand recognises that each county has its own strengths to build upon, its own place within the region and that together we can develop a dynamic, progressive and vibrant region centrally located in the heart of Ireland.”

Pat McCormack, Managing Director of Standex International, added “the centrality of the Midlands offers companies an excellent array of high quality property options, a number of leading academic facilities producing highly skilled graduates, advancement of infrastructure and an established track record of investments across industry sectors.”

The new brand was officially launched by four keynote speakers representing the four brand pillars – Enterprise (Mr Pat McCormack, Standex, based in Mountmellick); Tourism (Fergus Hoban, Ballintubbert Gardens); Living (Farming Independent Columnist Jim O’Brien); and Learning (Brian Lynch, AIT).

Athlone Institute of Technology is a high-profile supporter of the new brand MidlandsIreland.ie. “The Midlands offers an unrivalled quality of education for learners of all ages, with opportunities ranging from pre-school through to third level and life-long learning opportunities,” said Mr Brian Lynch. “Recent years have seen considerable investment in the educational infrastructure, so that facilities throughout the region are amongst the best in the country.”

In a very entertaining talk on Tourism in the Midlands, Fergus Hoban said there were numerous opportunities through which the Midlands can promote its distinct identity through its gardens, arts and culture and these should be grasped.

The evening was very social able with the Junior Orchestra of the Laois School of Music performing, whilst approx. 150 attendees, interacted with the numerous food producers, craft workers, visual artists and supporting enterprise agencies that exhibited at the launch.

The new brand MidlandsIreland.ie is promoted through a dedicated website www.midlandsireland.ie, facebook and twitter and through organisations such as Chambers of Commerce, Local Authorities and local businesses.

click on the link to view youtube video

MidlandsIreland.ie Launch

Last week Nicky McFadden T.D. launched a new competition Positive Steps 2012 for Jobs Seekers and people going through redundancy in Athlone. This is a 6 week programme for the 6 chosen winners.

Chrysalis Evolution is offering a personal career coaching package for each of the six winners. The winners will get their portfolio together, prepare their best CV for the job market and a compelling covering letter, put a job hunting plan in place and devise the best strategy for interviews.
Athlone Regional Sports Centre offers a total fitness programme for the six weeks and the Athlone Towncentre shopping centre will help the winners build their personal brand and identify their styles. The Athlone Nutritional Clinic will help the winners develop a healthy lifestyle.
To see the poster for the competition Positive Steps Poster.
To enter the competition, email positivesteps@chrysalisevolution.ie to get your application form or CLICK HERE to download the form or ring 08 76781978 for your application, terms and conditions.

Ms Ethel Kelly of the renowned Claypipe Visitor Centre in Knockcroghery, Co. Roscommon was presented last weekend with a prestigious award for her excellence in customer service by NACTA [the North American Celtic Trade Association].  She presented with the award by Ms. Anne Tarrant, Executive Director of NACTA. A native of Bastion Street, Athlone where she born Ethel McCay, her family are involved in a range of creative enterprises in the Midlands.

The Claypipe Visitor Centre is the umbrella company for Ogham Wishes and BogBuddies, both unique and innovative examples of contemporary Irish craft. Ogham Wishes are a range of  individually painted letters depicting the ancient Irish alphabet on hand made paper and they are beautifully framed. BogBuddies are a range of hand-made collectible characters which are also all  hand crafted from real Irish bog. If you are looking for something uniquely Irish, contemporary and hand-made, it seems that Ethel Kelly really has the edge.
Based in the village of Knockcroghery, Co. Roscommon, Ethel was thrilled to receive this award. “As a small crafts producer, to receive this award is a wonderful recognition of our products and customer service. To receive such an award from an organisation which represents so many craft retailers in North America really means a lot to us”.

She was presented with the award at Showcase 2012, Ireland’s leading International Craft Wholesale Trade Exhibition, where her range of products created much interest among those attending this important crafts event.
Ethel further commented that an award such as this in recessionary times also acts as a reminder that small companies such as those involved in crafts contribute so much to the local economies in which they are located. “As a small scale business, I am proud of the products we produce and the customer service we provide. Crafts have a vital role to play in Ireland’s economy. Recent figures released by the Crafts Council of Ireland show that if we all spent more on local crafts for gifts and so on, even a little can make a big difference. An average spend of €10 by every Irish household on Irish craft would generate €14 million for craft businesses all over the country, creating and sustaining local jobs and communities.”

Further information about Ogham Wishes, BogBuddies and the Claypipe Visitor Centre are available on www.oghamwish.com

Ms. Ethel Kelly of The Claypipe Visitor Centre in Knockcroghery, Co. Roscommon being presented with The Best Irish Craft Company 2011 Award from Ms. Anne Tarrant, Executive Director of The North American Celtic Trade Association (NACTA), at Showcase 2012.

Keep Yourself Effective

Stephen Covey – 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Adopt the 7 Habits !

Habit 1            Be pro Active

Habit 2            Begin with the End in Mind

Habit 3            Put First Things First

Habit 4            Think Win / Win

Habit 5            Seek first to understand……then to be understood

Habit 6            Synergise

Habit 7            Sharpen the Saw

Developing the Roadmap

IdeasZone2011 – 4 step process with good challenging questions to ask yourself

Build a business based on real customer needs. Find out what your (potential) customers need – Customer Question Bank on Survey Monkey. Sign Up first at www.surveymonkey.com . Then click ‘+Create Survey’ on top RHS. Within ‘Create Survey’ click ‘Continue’. Under ‘New Survey’ on LHS, click ‘Question Bank’ New. Next click ‘Customer Feedback’ to access full list of 94 questions to ask.

How do you want to make money ? Excellent Framework to consider at Business Model Canvas

Sources of Investment

Longford County Enterprise Board – Financial support for starts ups through Feasibility/Innovation Grants & Priming Grants.
Longford Community Resources provide financial support for Business Creation & Development in the county.
Enterprise Ireland
Competitive Start Fund –  On line Applications Invited from 26^th Jan. Application Deadline 9^th February. €50,000 seed funding for 15 early stage start ups available on a competitive on line application basis.
Innovative HPSU investments – supporting companies employ > 10 people, turnover > €1m & export within first 3 years
Longford Business Angels Network – €1m available to support start ups in Longford
Lir Investors Network – Westmeath based €1m investment fund.
Halo Business Angel Network – Network of Business Angels & Investment Syndicates.

Seed and Venture Capital Funds – for detailed background information, contacts and more. Downloads available.
€10m International Start Up Fund – supporting ambitious international entrepreneurs establish their operations in Ireland. Typical investments of €200 – €500,000 available.
Seed Capital Scheme – Search for Leaflet IT 15 – under certain conditions – you maybe able to get your tax back – for the previous 6 years – to use as seed capital in your start up.
Employment & Incentive Investment Scheme – Search for Leaflet IT 55 – under certain conditions most companies in Ireland can raise up to €10m. Tax relief for individual investors. Replaces BES from 1.1.2012.
EU 7^th Framework Programme
3 Year Tax Exemption for Start Ups (€40k/yr). See Tax briefing note here.

Innovation Development

www.innovationvouchers.ie – funding of up to €5,000 to innovate via one of 40 service providers on the island. Michael Lonergan is the contact at AIT.

R&D Fund – open to trading companies, not start ups

R&D Fund Stimulation Grant – maximum grant of €30,000

R&D Fund Small Projects – project expenditure less than €150,000

Both available to County Enterprise Board Clients

R&D Fund Large Projects – maximum grant of €650,000

Linking Industry & 3^rd Level through the Innovation Partnership Scheme – up to €200,000 financial support available.

Seeking New Ideas for your Venture – examine 100 Big Ideas here

Enterprise Europe Network – over 13,000 Business or Technology Partnering Opportunities available.

Bord na Móna are open to idea collaboration

Companies investing in R&D activities may also qualify for tax credits under the R&D Tax Credit Scheme which is managed by the Revenue Commissioners.

Research Expertise is available at Athlone Institute of Technology/AIT. Innovation event at AIT Feb 21 & 22.

Advice & Information

Business information Centre at EI East Point & EI Athlone – open to County Enterprise Board & Enterprise Ireland Clients only. Contact Margaret Hennessy at EI Athlone for more information. Tel 090 648 710

Mentor Support – available through your local County Enterprise Board or through Enterprise Ireland

Stanford eCorner Entrepreneur Podcasts – excellent range of entrepreneurial stories.

Rich source of market & technology intelligence available electronically at The Market Magazine and Technology Ireland

START Weblinks – attached separately with this document

 Innovative Entrepreneur Initiatives

Longford CEB Start Your Own Business Programmes Starts Feb 22 :: 1 evening /week for 6 weeks (Jan 30 Programme Booked out). Additional Programmes available.

Incubation Programme at AIT. Phase 1 commencing Qtr 1 2012 .

Business Partners Scheme – up to €20,000 available to experienced individuals to create spin out companies from rich portfolio of research at Irish 3^rd level colleges.

Archie Talks – targeting entrepreneurs under the age of 35. Network of 300 to date. Meeting Jan 26^th at the Aviva Stadium Dublin. Being promoted by Archipelago who launch their new website at the event.

Irish Technology Leadership Group – Innovation Summit 12 & 13 March

Dogpatch Labs (Polaris Venture Partners) provide a unique facility for entrepreneurs working on new business ideas, providing free space, connectivity and ‘open-sourced’ collaboration through industry events and open houses that encourage a constant atmosphere of innovation.

Noel Ruane as Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR), to head up the new facility.   http://dogpatchlabs.co

The Entrepreneur Experience organised by Cork BIC – Kinsale Mar 30 & 31.

Think Outside the Box Awards – €30,000 Prize Fund for 3^rd level Student Potential Entrepreneurs – Application deadline 25^th April .

Entrepreneurial Business Awards 2012 – Application Deadline 18^th February

The Secret of Success 2011 – EU Guide to Serial Entrepreneurs & Transfer of Businesses – includes 30 Case Studies from Across the EU.

The EU Entrepreneur Exchange Programme –www.erasmus-entrepreneurs.eu

Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2012 launched 25.1.12

Gerry Duffy – Winner of Iron Man Competition 2011 – Business Bootcamp 5-7 March, Lough Rynn Castle, Co Leitrim.

Additional Supports

Going Global Fund  – support of up to €25,000 to explore opportunities to internationalise their business as a route to growth. For existing companies that employ more than 10 or sell over €1m and don’t export currently. Competitive Scheme. Call for proposals will open in February with an early March application deadline.

Potential Exporters Supports. EI Athlone will be organising a Workshop for companies in March interested in Exporting for the first time. Companies interested in getting details of the Workshop in February, should register their interest at midlandsbusiness@enterprise-ireland.com

Export Orientation Programme – Graduate Placement Programme. Over 2,000 graduates placed to date.

Job Expansion Fund –  Support of up to €150,000 available for creation of 10 new jobs – 16 February Application Deadline. Fund open for applications every 2 months.

Westmeath New Business Ideas Competition – first prize is €12,000 worth of business supports. Entry deadline of 9^th March. Find out more here.

InterTradeIreland Supports Cross Border Trade.  Explore the following supports here

o      Trade Accelerator Vouchers

o      Elevate – Sales Development Programme

o      Acumen – Sales & Marketing Recruitment funding

o      Fusion – Technology Transfer Programme

o      Innova – Collaborate with other Businesses to Innovate

Shannonside Radio – Free Plug Friday – Promote your business for 60 seconds for free – every Friday. Business Programme every Tuesday at 8pm .

Midlands 103 – starting 1hr Business Programme at the end of February. Tuesday evenings at 7pm.

New  Job Opportunities – See Client Jobs on EI Home Page

National Internship Scheme – JobBridge – provides work experience placements for Interns for a 6 or 9 month period.

Investigate All Island Tender Opportunities at 2 day workshop

Source a product or service in Ireland. Submit an enquiry here.

Small Business Can provides a valuable forum for entrepreneurs to network, learn & win. Find out more here.

Contact Michael Nevin at Longford County Enterprise Board Tel 043 3342757 or Mark Atterbury at Enterprise Ireland Athlone Tel 090 648 7100 for a confidential 1-1 if you would like to discuss your idea/business further.

Final Thought

Calvin Coolidge 30^th US President …

‘Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan ‘Press On’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.’

Minister John Perry, T.D. Minister of State with special responsibility for Small Business (Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation), officially launched the “Westmeath New Business Ideas Competition 2012” in the Atrium, County Buildings, Mullingar on Thursday 26^th January 2012.

The competition is an initiative of Westmeath County Council, Westmeath County Enterprise Board and the Member Agencies of the Economic Development Sub-Committee of Westmeath County Development Board, in association with the other main sponsors: LIR Investors, Stephens Cooke & Associates and Handyweb, all supporting start-up business in Westmeath and proud to offer this business promotion opportunity.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Perry said that: “Jobs are a top priority for Government and local authorities play a central role in supporting economic development and enterprise at local level. This initiative is a prime example of the public and private sectors working in partnership for the betterment of society.”

The Cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council, Cllr. Mark Cooney said that “the aim of the competition is to create a real opportunity to find a new business with an innovative idea, that will create sustainable employment in Westmeath and that will encourage individuals with an entrepreneurial flair to consider self-employment as a real option”.

First Prize in the competition will be €12,000 worth of business supports – essentially the tools to start your own business from scratch and consisting of:

● An Enterprise Unit (circa 1,000 sq.ft) rent free for one year, to a value of €4,000 from   Westmeath County Council.

● Start-Up Finance of €2,000 from Lir Investors.

● Accountancy and Advisory Services to the value of  €2,000 from Stephens Cook & Associates, Mullingar.

● Website Design to the value of €2,000 from Handyweb, Mullingar and,

● Business Mentoring to the value of €2,000 from Westmeath County Enterprise Board

● Two runners-up will receive a Business Mentoring voucher to the value of €1,000 each from Westmeath County Enterprise Board.

Mr. Danny McLoughlin, County Manager said that “Westmeath County Council is delighted to associated with the initiative, which shows a collaborative approach by statutory and local agencies, acting locally to assist in employment creation in the county”

Cllr. Colm Arthur, Chairperson of the Economic Development Sub-Committee of Westmeath County Development Board indicated that “The competition applicants will benefit from the process by receiving feedback on their business idea from the expert judging panel and encouragement and motivation to develop their business, while also being in with the chance to win the top prize, worth €12,000 and get good publicity for their potential business”

Entrants to the competition will be required to complete the application form that is available to download at www.westmeathcoco.ie,  and www.westcd.ie, or available in hardcopy from the Customer Services Desk, County Buildings Mullingar; from the offices of Westmeath County Enterprise Board, Church Avenue, Mullingar and from the offices of Westmeath Community Development Ltd, Mullingar Enterprise Technology and Innovation Centre, Clonmore, Mullingar.

The competition process will shortlist FIVE Finalists, who in their application must declare availability for follow-up interview and presentation of business plan/next steps to the Judging Panel at the Grand Final which will take place on Wednesday the 28th March 2012, when the winner and runners-up will be selected and announced. (details of the Grand Final event to be announced later).

Completed application forms should be returned by post to: “Westmeath New Business Ideas Competition 2012”, C/o Community & Enterprise Section, Westmeath County Council, Co. Buildings, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath and the closing date for entries is Friday 9th March 2012.

New Business Ideas Application Form

Over 50 business people gathered in the Sheraton Hotel Athlone to attend the first chamber event of 2012, “How to Score in 2012 – New Funding Opportunities for your Business” The event organised by the Midlands Gateway and Athlone Chambers was a unique opportunity for local businesses to hear first hand how the Hodson Bay Hotel started through the old BES investment scheme and all the pitfalls and opportunities such investment schemes have to offer.

The event highlighted new funding opportunites available for businesses, in particular the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector, despite the difficult economic landscape. Attendees received practical information on new ways to raise money for their business expansion, focusing on the Employment Incentive Investment Scheme (EIIS).

Joanne O’Connor, Branch Manager AIB Bank, Athlone spoke about the different ways AIB can support local businesses.  Ms O’Connor explained how AIB are helping businesses gain access to credit,  “AIB are committed to the Government Approved Lending Plan of €3.5bn for Irish SME’s in 2012, we have developed a new standard “SME Application Form” with Bank of Ireland and expect other banks to also adopt this standard”.  Joanne further said, “We have increased our Seed Capital Funding from €53m to €75m and introduced an AIB Job Creation Fund.” Joanne closed by saying that, “AIB locally will continue to work hard to support small business” and she encouraged customers to keep engaging with their bank.

Martin Nally, founder of Lir Investors a locally based Business Angels Syndicate explained that Lir Investors has ‘strong funding facilities whose purpose is to encourage entrepreneurs to establish, expand or diversify strong growth potential businesses”.

Lir Investors offer support for “investor ready” businesses seeking to base or grow in the midlands. Mr. Nally explained, “We are also interested in hearing from companies already started which have high growth potential beyond our shores”.

John Lyons, Tax Partner at the Longford office of RSM Farrell Grant Sparks spoke about the “41% Tax Savings Announced for SME Investors”, the Employment Incentive Investment Scheme (EIIS). John explained how the scheme, “Gives income tax relief to a qualifying individual who subscribes for eligible shares in a qualifying company for the purpose of carrying on relevant trading activities or incurring R&D expenditure where trading has not started and contributing to the creation or maintenance of employment.

Commenting on the scheme, John Lyons, said,  “Struggling businesses have been thrown a lifeline by this new scheme, which is designed to be flexible and easy to operate and most trading businesses qualify for it.   It offers substantial tax relief to investors.  We act for a large number of clients across the SME sector, restriction of bank and trade credit is a significant challenge for these businesses.  They need all the help they can get and this scheme will assist them in raising additional equity”. For more information about the scheme please contact John Lyons, 043 3341900 or email John.Lyons@rsmfgs.ie.

John O’Sullivan owner of the Hodson Bay Group spoke about his experience of the old BES scheme when, in his late 20s, after buying the old Hodson Bay Hotel, he needed to raise funds. He felt the BES was a positive experience but very complicated to operate and believes that the new EIIS is a lot simplier for business.

The night finished off on a lighter note with Roddy Collins, International Football Manager, speaking about his journey from starting out as a football player to where he is today and what makes a football club successful.

The organisers thank the sponsors RSM Farrell Grant Sparks from Longford, AIB Bank, Athlone and the Lir Investors.

Athlone Chamber are hosting an event in conjunction with the Midlands Gateway Chamber (representing members of the three gateway chambers, Athlone, Tullamore and Mullingar) in order to highlight to the business community, and in particular the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector for viable businesses, despite the difficult economic landscape.
Athlone Chamber President, John McGrath said “This event will help to start 2012 on a positive note, and will deliver practical information on new ways to raise money for business, highlighting in particular the recently EU approved Employment Incentive Investment Scheme (EIIS).”
President of Midlands Gateway Chamber Mr. Ray Byrne commented “This new program takes up where the previous BES scheme left off, and offers significant tax breaks for investors that support businesses capable of job creation. It offers a realistic prospect for a business to raise funds in a way which was not possible heretofore.”

Ray Byrne President Midlands Gateway Chamber and John Mc Grath President Athlone Chamber

Commencement Order was recently granted by the Minister for Finance for the scheme and while there may be some changes included in its enactment in Finance Act 2012, it is effective from 25 November 2011.  Therefore the timing of this event will give businesses in the area a head start.  The new scheme will incorporate many parts of the old BES scheme. However, there are a number of significant changes which will be outlined in detail by presenters on the evening of Wednesday 18 January. There have been a number of very successful business investment and expansion schemes operating in Athlone that has bought both business expansion and direct employment and success to the area. The new scheme which will grant tax relief of 41% over a 3 year period is open to all trades with a few exceptions.   This event will be of particular interest to any business in the following sectors, retail, IT, renewable energy, engineering, manufacturing, food, sector, internationally traded services and all management consultants, accountants, solicitors, financial institutions, enterprise agencies and advisors to businesses.

John Lyons, a Tax Partner with the accountancy firm RSM Farrell Grant Sparks, will share his expert knowledge of the EIIS and the opportunities for local businesses. There will also be contributions from the Midlands based LIR Investors Network, and from AIB Bank.

A Questions and Answers session will be accomodated. Certification of attendance will be provided for CPD purposes.
The evening will finish on a lighter note with the internationally experienced football manager and pundit Roddy Collins talking about the business of soccer, and there will be an opportunity for the participants to network before and after the presentations.

The event shall take place in the Sheraton Hotel, Athlone on Wednesday 18^th January at 6.30pm.

Mr McGrath stressed “If you are considering raising finance to expand your business this new scheme may be suitable for your company or if you are an investor with money to invest in local businesses then take action in 2012 and come along to the information event in the Sheraton Hotel on Wednesday 18 January at 6.30pm.”

Cost, including refreshments before and after the event, for Chamber members is €20 (non-Members fee €45).

Places are limited and are available to book now by contacting Angela Rigney, Midlands Gateway Chamber on 0863891675 info@midlandsgatewaychamber.ie or Siobhan Bigley, Athlone Chamber on 090 6498838 info@athlonechamber.ie

ClickAgendafor Agenda and more information

Click on the link to read Enterprise Ireland’s Newsletter

The Midlandsireland.ie Enterprise Fact File is now available.

ClickMidlandsIreland_ieEnterpriseFactFile(1) to download.

Midlandsireland.ie will launch the exciting regional brand on
Thursday, January 26th, 2012 at 7pm,
Heritage Hotel, Portlaoise, County Laois
RSVP: Monday, January 23rd, 2012

T: 057 93 52996/7

E:
info@midlandsireland.ie