Over 1,000 small Irish firms have used a €5,000 Government innovation voucher which allows them to link with college researchers to solve business and technical problems, according to the Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Conor Lenihan TD. …

Starting and running your own business involves a wide range of skills and can be a daunting task for budding entrepreneurs.

Thankfully, there is help out there and there are a number of organisations which exist specifically to help new small to medium size business owners. …

Started in 2009, but only recently launched, Nubie.com helps you to start, fund, manage and grow your business – it’s a cloud-based platform for start-ups and high performing small businesses, with information and tools to help you succeed in business.

The web-based service aims to meet the immediate business needs of Irish “start-ups”, over 13,000 of whom are formed in Ireland each year (according to BOI’s Business Start-Up Barometer 2009).

It will provide start-ups with customised roadmaps tailored for the Irish market and online tools to research their idea, develop a business plan, check grant eligibility, seek funding and get off the ground quicker. As well as business planning, funding and forecasting, Nubie will also provide a range of related services including invoicing, customer relationship management and marketing. …

An EU study on entrepreneurship has revealed that Ireland has an above average entrepreneurial spirit when compared with the rest of Europe.

The EU Survey looks at entrepreneurship and employment preferences across Europe and some of the other major world economies.

31% of those surveyed in the Republic who are employees felt that they could become their own boss in the next five years. 23% of respondents said that they were taking steps to start a new business or had done so, while a further 13% were thinking realistically about it. …