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RTÉ News
2 days ago
- Business
- RTÉ News
Over 6,500 Irish SMEs helped by National Enterprise Hub in first year
More than 6,500 SMEs have been directly supported by the National Enterprise Hub (NEH) in the first year since its launch. The National Enterprise Hub is an initiative of the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and Enterprise Ireland and brings together information and resources on over 250 Government supports from 30 different departments and state agencies. It said the top grants availed of by businesses ranged in value from €3,000 to €7,000 and focused on supporting businesses with cashflow, expansion and productivity to help them deal with concerns around rising costs, and competitiveness. It has attracted over 220,000 active online users to its website over the last 12 months, while it also offers a full-time dedicated phone line, connecting business owners with specialist advisors who can discuss potential grant options over the phone. The businesses are from a range of industries with the majority operating in the Tourism & Hospitality sector, retail & consumer products, food, health & beauty, professional services and the construction sector. Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke said the National Enterprise Hub has proven effective in streamlining and simplifying access for SMEs to government supports, equipping them with vital digital and sustainability resources to navigate rising costs and stay competitive. "My focus now with the NEH is on reducing administrative burdens and red tape for businesses by consolidating multiple grant applications into a single, simplified process," the Minister said. "We must redouble our efforts to simplify processes for businesses and make sure that we think about small businesses first," he added. Conor O'Donovan, Head of Start-Ups and the National Enterprise Hub, said that SME engagement with the National Enterprise Hub has met and exceeded targets to date, supporting 6,500 businesses within its first year of operation. "One of the main aims of the Hub was to engage with businesses who haven't availed of government supports to date and to make the process of availing of government supports faster and easier," he said. "We know that Irish SMEs are operating in a complex environment and being able to access grants and supports is more important than ever," Mr O'Donovan said. "Small businesses who are engaging with the National Enterprise Hub are concerned about rising cost of business and competitiveness - that is why a single source of government supports for businesses is important to ensure that accessing the right information is made easier," he added.
Irish Examiner
23-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
BICs engaged 1,000 clients in three years, says report
Business Innovation Centres (BICs) engaged with more than 1,000 new clients in the years from 2022 to 2024, a new impact report has stated. During this timeframe, there were 143 successful Pre-Seed Start Fund (PSSF) applications, according to the report, while 157 companies received Innovative High Potential Start-Up (IHPSU) funding. The four BICs are AxisBIC - covering Clare, Cork, Kerry and Limerick; Furthr - covering Cavan, Dublin, Kildare, Louth, Meath, Monaghan, and Wicklow; Propelor - covering Carlow, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Tipperary, Waterford, and Wexford; and WestBIC - covering Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Longford, Mayo, Roscommon. As well as offering mentorship to innovative and scaling businesses, Irish BICs provide support to early-stage companies applying to Enterprise Ireland for PSSF and IHPSU funding. The BICs also collaborate with Enterprise Ireland on preparation and investor-readiness programmes. 'The four BICs have been providing specialised supports and services to start-ups for 35 years," said Enterprise Ireland's head of start-ups and entrepreneurship Conor O'Donovan. "This report highlights the dynamic ecosystem in Ireland for supporting innovative startups such as Ground Wellbeing, Assiduous, Tailr, and ByoWave. We hope their success inspires others to contact the BICs for assistance with developing their business proposition." Chair of the Irish BICs, Martin Murray, said the impact report highlights the crucial role played by the Irish BICs in helping innovative start-ups to grow and develop into a successful enterprise. "By coming together under the one umbrella, we are strengthening our message that our experienced mentors are on hand to help overcome all the challenges a new business faces.'
