This article is from page 109 of the 2008-09-30 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 109 JPG
EIGHT Clare start-up and develop- ing companies are exhibiting next week at the Millennium Theatre at Limerick Institute of Technology.
Clarefocus.ie, Evolve Software, Fahy Analytical, KPM Group, Pedi- ereecattle.ie, Pitchside Products, The Irish Bread Mix Company, and Tour- ist Republic are among 27 businesses that will be exhibiting at the 2nd MidWest Entrepreneur Showcase and Seminar on Thursday, October oe
The event is organised by the En- terprise Acceleration Centre (EAC), a business incubation centre serving the Mid-West region. The EAC is located on the Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT) campus.
Clarefocus.ie, Evolve Software, KPM Group, Pedigreecattle.ie and Pitchside Products, which were all set up by Clare residents, are partici- pants in the current LEAP (Limerick Enterprise Acceleration Platform) programme. LEAP is aimed at help- ing high-potential start-up compa- nies to develop an investor-ready business plan and take their compa- WUC RUD MNO Oe
These five companies cover a range of activities, some running innova- tive websites, some providing train- ing and consultation in mission-criti- cal areas, and one developing a new type of sports product.
Fahy Analytical provides special- ist chemical analytical services, The Irish Bread Mix company has devel-
oped niche home-baking products, and Tourist Republic developed and runs the Unique TouristR website.
The Seminar and Showcase are sponsored by Enterprise Ireland and AIB, and the event chairperson is Gary Carroll. Founder and director of EAC-based Episensor, Mr Car- roll also chairs the EAC Advisory Board.
The seminar topic is “Winning Sales — the Key to Start Up Success’. Attendance at the half-day event is free, but registration in advance is So TE
The organisers are encouraging business professionals from all over the mid-west to attend — that includes entrepreneurs, emerging entrepre- neurs, sales professionals, investors and business advisors. Third-level students are also welcome.
The Seminar and Showcase will run begin with registration at 8.00 Aaeee
After an official welcome at 8.55 am by Dr Maria Hinfelaar, Director of the Limerick Institute of Technology, Frank Ryan, Chief Executive Officer of Enterprise Ireland, will speak on
‘Entrepreneurship in Ireland — from Start-up to Global Success’.
One of Enterprise Ireland’s main aims is to accelerate the develop- ment of world-class Irish companies so that they can achieve strong po- sitions in global markets. At a time of intensifying global competition, increasing market challenges, and worldwide financial uncertainty, this talk should be of particular interest.
Entrepreneurs need to be able to give an elevator pitch at the drop of a hat, so Paul O’Dea of Select Strategies will give advice on how
to prepare a great pitch. He is to be followed by Padraic O’Maille, of O’Maille Group, advising on how to inspire a “super-positive” sales atti- tude in your team.
After an open forum, at 11 am there is a one-hour coffee break to allow time for visits to the stands at the ex- hibition.
At 12 noon the first of three case studies of sales successes is to be given by Jim Breen, CEO of Pulse Learning in Kerry, which he founded in 1999. The second will be given by Frank Hannigan, CEO and founder of YouGetitBack.com, a Cork-based fey enh ey ahs
John Collins, CEO of Limerick- based Original Solutions, which was acquired in May this year by Perot Systems Corporation, will present the third case study.
After a second open forum, chair- person Mr Carroll will make his closing comments. A networking re- ception is scheduled for 2 pm.
For further information and to book online log onto www.leap.ie/ showcase or contact Graham Royce at graham.royce@lit.ie, telephone O61 490152.