Information, Essential Links & Books

Hi There,
I am starting a small retail business and would like to know is there any websites with Footfall info?

deathcrow wrote: »

From the Hothouse website , prerequesite is a third-level qualification and several years of industrial experience , but surely if you were already that successful you wouldnt need all this help ?

for someone like me who has several years industry experience , but doesnt have a third level degree , does this mean i am ruled out immediately , regardless of my drive or ambition ...

third level qualification & several years experience are gained as an employee and then the hothouse helps you start a business.

lots of people did the course with no third level qualification, if your business idea is good there should be no problems.
email them to confirm. next course is starting in april.

Colin Mc wrote: »

Is there anything like hothouse in the northwest that is not focused on export? Sounds great - free rent, broadband, mentoring etc

There's lots of programmes all over the country, they all offer the same thing

http://www.leap.ie/index.php
http://www.gep.ie/
http://www.m50enterprise.ie/
http://www.pdc.ie/
http://www.ait.ie/innovation/mwep.shtml
http://www.ait.ie/mirc/mepp.shtml
http://www.gmit.ie/iibc/mwep.html
http://www.novation.ie/cms/publish/entrepreneur.shtml
http://www.itcarlow.ie/industry_campus_incub_epp.asp?top_section=2&lower_section=12&lower2_section=52&uid=itcarlow
http://www.iadt.ie/en/InformationAbout/EnterpriseOpportunities/Introduction/CREATE/

kentwo wrote: »

how much does ICELT course cost, please ?

The ICELT course is the Enterprise Start Programme € 275
http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/StartBusiness/EnterpriseSTART+Programme.htm

Vexorg wrote: »

I would be interested to hear from anyone doing this course and then going on to a full time course to compare experiences.

I did both, the enterprise start is just like the HH, but its done over a shorter time frame and has less content, its a very solid programme.

Vexorg wrote: »

Great

Did you do the Enterprise Start prior to the Hothouse?.

Did you find the courses complimented each other.

If you did Enterprise Start first did you find it gave you a bit of a head start over the other participants (its not a competition I know - but the faster you have your business plan and business idea nailed down the faster you get down to business - these changed slightly for most companies on the Hothosue during the course of the year) - perhaps allowing you to get more from the workshops and mentoring than the participants who were getting this information for the first time?.

enterprise start first.

Like I said it was basically a mini HH. Covered sales,marketing,HR,finance.
The only difference is the time and amount of content.
Training wise the HH gives you more time to put what you learn into practise, and it has the group dynamic to help you.

The trick with these courses is that you have a business.
The training can all be a bit academic unless you have your own business to experiment/implement on, to get maximum benefit.
So it did give me a head start on developing my business, but other people are at different levels when they enter the HH, so I wasn't the star of the class. Laughed at by the boss when I asked for Entrepreneur of the year.

You're right its not a competition, because I am undefeatable in everything.

Hope you did good last Thursday.

The Scientist wrote: »

I've had to delete posts in here.
Please keep this thread for useful information only.

A lot of what I said is useful.... welcome to china

jmcc wrote: »

It is not that simple. That's the Microsoft way. If you release a beta or prototype then how the hell are you going to get paid? If the beta is good then people might start to use it and and not bother paying for the finished product.

It depends on your start up. I am a huge believer in the Release Early Release Often mantra. You get traction, build leads and find out where you are going wrong when you release a beta. It's also is ideal for the freemium business model that works well for Skype, Feedburner, most of the P2P sites. If you don't want to go down the freemium path then you could simply charge for your software when the full version is finished and pull back any free versions. You can also think about selling training and consulting on the back of any beta release.

jmcc wrote: »

Strangely banks and other sources of funding tend to ask for business plans so it is always handy to have one. However you should have your own business plan that is a single page outlining what you are doing, how you intend to do it and the things that have to be done.

Bank funding is not an option for most start ups. Again the investor deck is enough for investors to get a feel for your company. If they want more information they will ask for it.

jmcc wrote: »

The key is to clearly identify your objectives, targets, customers and most importantly, how to make money.

I 100% agree, especially with the money part.

benner wrote: »

Thanks for intro Vexorg

Yep Hothouse www.hothouse.ie is here to help start up businesses! It is funded by Dept of Education and Science and is run by Dublin Institute of Technology. The main points of note are:
* Free incubation space for 1 year
* Ten sessions with a business mentor
* Workshops on key topics
* Access to funding

The next program is starting in mid Sept. We are currently accepting applications. If you would like a little bit more information please read on…


Hothouse Venture Programme, is a year-long comprehensive support and incubation programme for entrepreneurs with technology based business ideas. The programme offers a number of supports including:
- Incubation space
- Management development training
- Strategic business counselling
- Access to an enterprise and investment network
- Access to funding through Enterprise Ireland CORD grant which could provide you with up to 50% of your previous years salary paid to you on a monthly basis over the course of the Programme The guideline requirements for CORD are...
* Potential to have turnover of e1million and 10 employees within three years
* Have strong export potential.
* Have some new or unique technology
Note you can still come on Hothouse without being eligible for CORD.

The workshops are run once a month for 12 months on a Friday and Saturday 10am – 5pm. They are generally very practical in nature. Lots of collaborative work, case studies and active participation. The cover topics such as Business strategy, Legal, Market research, Finance, Pitching to customers and/or investors, Sales, time management, and HR. So a broad range of the relevant topics in setting up a successful business.

We also organise mentors. These are professional people most often from the industry relevant to your business. They have great experience and often great contacts.

You can apply by emailing info@pdc.ie with a description of your business, what stage your service/product (e.g. proto type, trial customers, trading etc). Also any market demand feedback. A copy of your CV is also useful. More details on the Hothouse brochure www.pdc.ie/pdf/Hothouse.pdf

So we are looking forward to hearing from all you intrepid entrepreneurs...

Brendan

When is the next intake of companies?

blue4ever wrote: »

do parties sign a non disclosure agreement

participants sign a NDA to say they won't reveal any commercially sensitive information about each other business.

Dear All,

I am now recruiting for our upcoming Entrepreneur support programme. If anyone would like further information please feel free to contact me on claire.quigley@itb.ie

Kind regards,

Claire


M50 Enterprise Platform Programme 2009 – 2010
Now Recruiting for April 2009 Programme

What is the M50 EPP?
The M50 Enterprise Platform Programme is a one-year training programme which supports business start-ups in knowledge-based business to develop and accelerate their business concept. Businesses taken onto the programme should be innovative, high technology products or services that have the potential to become high-potential start-ups. The programme is provided in partnership by four higher education institutions located in the M50 economic corridor.

What does the programme entail?
The programme provides a range of supports including workshops, one to one business counselling, management skills training, personal development and guidance, development of practical skills, introduction to mentors and support agencies such as Enterprise Ireland and the County Enterprise Boards. During the course of the programme participants hone the skills required to commercialise their business idea.


Workshops are practical and inter-active. Areas covered during the course of the programme include
Idea Generation
Feasibility Analysis
Market Analysis
Market Research
Financial Planning
Market Entry Strategy
Draft Business Plan
Operations Planning

The workshops will also prepare the participants for approaching funding bodies and agencies and also private funding proposals. Each workshop is followed up by a deliverable that the participant submits in both written and presentation format. Upon completion of the programme the participants will have been brought through the entire product/service development cycle from concept to production of a feasible investment ready business plan. On completion of the programme with participants will have honed the necessary business skills and acumen to attempt commercialisation of their idea.

Participants are assigned a personal mentor under Enterprise Irelands Mentor Programme. The mentor provides support to the entrepreneur and advises and guides them.

What doe the participants actually do?
Submit "deliverables" on an agreed timetable - exercises selected for their insight into the participant's state of progress. These include market research findings, results of market testing through pilots or initial sales attempts, development of a sales pipeline, development of viable financial plans, marketing and sales plans, business plans, monthly progress reports, etc.

Attend regular skills based training sessions to learn and develop the skills essential to developing a successful business. Typical sessions include Sales Techniques, Project Management, Intellectual Property, Corporate Governance, Performance Monitoring, Raising Finance, Corporate Image, HR and Legal Issues.

Meet with expert advisors at "clinics" on an agreed timetable to discuss the deliverables and their progress to date. This allows intervention to be made in a timely fashion to "push" sluggish or to "coach" confused individuals, resulting in businesses making maximum progress whilst participating on the Programme. It also offers a regular and scheduled opportunity for participants to raise issues of concern to them on a timely basis, to talk through alternative strategies/tactics, to share successes and to receive encouragement for their achievements to date.

Are formally reviewed quarterly by the Programme Management Group and others knowledgeable in business to cast a fresh and unfamiliar eye over the project proposition, progress, and proposed path forward, ensuring independent assessment and feedback.[/FONT][/B]

How is the programme funded?
There is currently no charge to the participants of the programme. The M50 Enterprise Platform Programme is run in conjunction with the institutes of technology and is co-funded by the department of Education and Science and Enterprise Ireland.

If a participant is leaving full-time employment and have a business concept that is eligible for the programme, they are eligible to apply for funding from Enterprise Ireland.

Subject to Enterprise Ireland's approval applicants can receive funding in the form of a total package of 50% of your verifiable (P60/P45) salary up to a maximum €38,000 for one year

Please note that acceptance onto the M50EPP does not guarantee awarding of CORD funding from Enterprise Ireland

About the programme:
The programme is based at The LINC at the Institute of Technology in Blanchardstown. The programme has 10 spaces annually which are filled through our application and interview process. Only one person per business can participate in the programme.

Who is eligible to apply?
Participants must have a knowledge-based, innovative business concept. Whilst a third level education is not a pre-requisite it would be advantageous. We recommend that participants have a minimum of five years professional experience gained from working in a relevant environment.

Applicants must able be able to commit full-time to the programme and the development of their business idea through training workshops, events and report submissions.

Incubation Facilities
Business Incubation Facilities are available to rent at the LINC at the Institute of Technology Campus in Blanchardstown. Facilities available include desk space, ITB Network and high speed internet access, meeting and presentation facilities, access to printing and photocopying facilities, dining facilities, free onsite parking and an entrepreneurial environment. Participants who wish to work from home or from their own premises can avail of hot desks on an occasional basis. For further information about Incubation Facilities please contact Claire Quigley on Claire.quigley@itb.ie

Next Programme
The next programme will commence in April 2009. Recruitment will commence in February 2009. In order to apply applicants should fill out the M50EPP 2009 Application Form AND the EI CORD Application form and return with a copy of their CV to

Claire Quigley
Programme Manager
LINC
Institute of Technology Blanchardstown
Blanchardstown Road North