Tags: Entrepreneur, Money, sme, Venture capital

Irish Venture Capital plays a pivitol role in fostering entrepreneurship, innovation and job creation. At Kernel Capital and Seroba Kernel we have in the past 18 months, made 47 investments, in start up and developing companies, each ranging from €250,000 to €2,300,000. This has an important multiplier effect within the Irish economy; helping to create and sustain over 800 high calibre jobs and our portfolio is forecast to grow to employ over 1,000 in the coming 12 months, almost all at graduate and post graduate level. While on the exit side our  Fund I trade sales, such as Stokes Bio, Straatum Processware, Farran technology and Chip Sensors have resulted in the acquiring NASDAQ and LSE quoted companies establishing their first base in Ireland, investing substantially and increasing local employment, again at graduate and post graduate level.   A typical firm is Cork-based read more

Tags: All About Business, Ignite Your Business, Innovation, News International, sme, The Irish News of the World, The Irish Sun, The Sunday Times

We always hear from business owners that advertising can be one of the biggest outgoing costs for an SME. If you are an SME owner and would like an extra advertising boost for your business keep reading……. News International is offering an overall prize of  €100,000 of free press advertising to the winner of a new small business competition – Ignite Your Business. (more...)  [...]
read more

Tags: All About Business Magazine, Dragons’ Den, Finance, Innovation, National Enterprise Week, Norah Casey, sme, Social Media

To coincide with National Enterprise Week, we produced a print version of allaboutbusiness.ie. There are exclusive interviews with the Irish Dragons, including newest addition Norah Casey, as well as articles from a range of experts in the fields of technology, social media, finance and innovation. Packed with business tips, advice, how-to guides, this publication will give SMEs and entrepreneurs valuable insights into how they can progress their business. (more...)  [...]
read more

Tags: Entrepreneur Tips, Innovative, Liam Sheedy, National Enterprise Week, Radisson Blu, Sean Gallagher, sme

The Radisson Blu hotel in Galway hosted the final event of National Enterprise Week. The guest speakers included Dragon Sean Gallagher and All Ireland Hurling winning manager Liam Sheedy.     The message from Sean Gallagher was clear to every entrepreneur in the room “stay positive” and “look to thrive, not survive”. Sean spoke of the influence the media has over consumers thinking nowadays and how, more than ever it was important for SMEs to keep being innovative.     He also spoke of how important it was to recognize the work that entrepreneurs are doing in an event such as this and that it was also important to bring entrepreneurs together. “By coming together entrepreneurs can learn from one another, get confidence and motivate each other”. (more...)  [...]
read more

Tags: Entrepreneur, Franchise, sme, starting up a business

For small businesses growing beyond one outlet can be difficult and expensive. The more you grow the more capital you need. Franchising your business can be a good way of expanding yet keeping costs minimal. So how does franchising work? Well, to start with, your business needs to be successful. Nobody will want to franchise a business from you if it doesn't make money. A franchised business needs to generate enough profit to make money for both the franchisee and you. (more...)  [...]
read more

Tags: All About Business, Digital Address Code, Entrepreneur Tips, Small Business News, sme

If you have ever bought anything online, you'll know that it can be tricky to get your package delivered on time, especially if you live in the countryside. If your parcel is not being handled by your local post man, the courier company may not know where your house is located in a particular townland.

Irish entrepreneurs that sell products online are only too aware of these delivery issues and have long campaigned for the introduction of Zip codes into Ireland. This week, SMEs received some good news as our version of the Zip code “the All-Ireland digital address code system” went live. The new address code provides precise address information and will be invaluable to businesses that need to deliver products and services across the island. The   [...]
read more

Tags: Foursquare, sme, Social Media, Starbucks, The Market

Foursquare, a location based social network that incorporates gaming elements, is planning to distribute a free analytics tool, which will give business owners access to a range of information about visitors to their premises. With the new analytics dashboard, businesses will be able to see a range of real-time data about Foursquare usage, including who has “checked in” to their place via Foursquare, when they arrived, the male-to-female customer ratio and which times of day are more active for certain customers. According to the New York Times, a test customer, P.C.C. Natural Markets, a Seattle-based organic foods company, saw a large number of new Foursquare users coming to its stores over the weekend   [...]
read more

Tags: Book review, Entrepreneur, sme, Start-up ideas

Some people who would like to work for themselves are stuck looking for 'the big idea' that will make them lots of money. However, many entrepreneurs who started up their own business often had a very simple idea initially. Here is a list of different home-based businesses that have a relatively low start up cost and barriers to entry. You never know, it might spark something off in yourself and give you the inspiration that you need to open up your first business! (more...)  [...]
read more