| 2003 |
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YEAR BOOK |
Genesis Enterprise Programme
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Are you interested in starting up your own business?
The Genesis Enterprise Programme may be just what you are looking for
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Candidates may participate on the GEP if they have a knowledge based, innovative idea with export potential and are looking to develop that potential into a business. It is specifically targeted at graduates who have several years of experience in the work place, and are now looking to start their own business. Candidates must have a third level qualification (minimum Diploma) in order to be eligible to apply.
The partners of the Programme are the Cork Institute of Technology (CIT), the Institute of Technology Tralee (ITT), the Cork Business Innovation Centre, University College Cork and Enterprise Ireland. The Programme has been in operation since 1998. It is funded by the Department of Education and Science and Enterprise Ireland under the National Development Plan, 2000 to 2006. This partnership model was successfully developed and pioneered in the South West Region under the 1997/1998 Enterprise Development Programme strand of the Operational Programme for Industrial Development. The GEP model has subsequently been replicated throughout the country by other Enterprise Platform Programmes.
What is on offer?
The 12 month programme offers the following benefits:
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� 50% of prior year income (up to a maximum of �38,000)
� 30 days of business training � Office space including PC, Internet, Email, Desk, Phone etc. (provided by CIT and ITT) � Experienced mentor for each participant � An entrepreneurial and learning environment � Opportunity to access the facilities and capabilities of the Programme partners |
The Participants� Perspective
A total of ninety-three entrepreneurs have benefited from the Programme since its inception. The 2003 Programme is the sixth year and has eighteen participating entrepreneurs.
Of the seventy-five businesses that have been started during the first five years on the GEP, 80% are still up and running as opposed to the usual survival rate of Irish SMEs of about 60% within five years. The average employment for each business that has been started on the GEP is over five people.
Previous participants on the Programme include Aidan Forde of Saorgus Energy (the largest wind farm in Ireland - 1998), Rory Fitzpatrick of Media Satellite (1998), Declan Fox of Comnitel (1999), Frank Madden of Crest Solutions (1999), Tom Moriarty of Firecomms (2000), Anne Hannan of Aisling Software (2000), Diarmuid Crowley of Radical Beverages (2001), and Brian Leslie of Prima Finance (2001).
Trevor O�Connell, participating on the 2002 Programme, is the founder of Digital Technology Management (DTM). DTM develops solutions that help optimise the IT investment portfolio for enterprises. O�Connell feels that: �The facilities, resources and support provided by the IT Tralee and the other Genesis Enterprise Programme Partners has been of great benefit to the development of our business�.
Padraig Keane, also participating on the 2002 Programme, is the founder of Keane Automotive & Industrial, a business whose key focus is the development of Non-Contacting Position Sensor Solutions to the Automotive and Industrial markets. The Keane Automotive & Industrial sensor technology is being marketed to various leading European and Worldwide Automotive and Industrial suppliers. According to Keane: �The GEP funding has been very beneficial in that it has allowed us to focus on accelerating the development process of the new technology, as full resources could be dedicated to this task�.
How should you apply?
Applicants must provide the following:
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a) Curriculum Vitae, including relevant work experience and academic qualifications
b) Description of the business concept or idea c) Details of any market research done to date. |
Applications may also be made on-line on our website - www.gep.ie
Where can you find out more?
For further information, please refer to our website or alternatively contact the Programme Manager, Mr Drew O�Sullivan - details below:
Contact: Mr Drew O'Sullivan, Genesis Enterprise Programme, Unit 10, Melbourne Business Park, Model Farm Road, Cork; Tel: (021)4867535; E-mail: [email protected] ; Web: www.gep.ie