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8th June 2009
Off We Go named LEAP Emerging Company of 2009
Limerick Institute of Technology congratulates Avril Webster, one of the founders of Off We Go Publishing for winning first prize in the 2nd Annual Enterprise Acceleration Centre Business Plan Competition 2009.
Avril Webster of OffWeGo Publishing presented with €5,000 for winning the best funding proposal at the LEAP Showcase Exhibition. The cheque was presented by Dr. Maria Hinfelaar, President of LIT and Graham Royce, LEAP Programme Manager.
Speaking at the Award Ceremony held on Monday 8th June, Dr Maria Hinfelaar, President of Limerick Institute of Technology said that all the LEAP entrepreneurs are winners, adding that Limerick Institute of Technology is delighted to have played a key role in the development of all ten companies who have just completed the second LEAP programme.
“The Enterprise Acceleration Centre (EAC) is a business incubation centre serving the Mid-West region of Limerick, Clare and Tipperary located on the Moylish park campus at LIT. LEAP is a one-year full-time professional business training and enterprise support programme designed to support early stage entrepreneurs to establish growth oriented companies. The three award winners have proved that they stand out, but it shouldn’t be forgotten that all of the companies that have come through the LEAP programme have achieved objectives in their own right and are now trading successfully. As we are now entering our 3rd year of LEAP, it is worth reflecting on how the programme is delivering.”
She continued, “In these challenging times, we have to focus on the bottom line: have the companies survived, are they profitable and are they creating employment. Recent analysis shows that 6 companies from the 2007 programme are actively trading with a combined employment of over 20 jobs. It is projected that the LEAP 2008 companies will achieve combined employment in excess of 25 people by the end of 2009. This is very promising given that the programme actively targets very early stage entrepreneurial ventures working with Enterprise Ireland and Enterprise Board in the Mid-West.”
The winners of the 2nd Annual Enterprise Acceleration Centre Awards were: Best funding proposal; Innovation; and Best business plan; with a total value of €10,000. The judging panel consisted of Frank Walsh, Enterprise Equity; Drew O’Sullivan, 4th Level Ventures; Alan Costello, Ruby Consulting; David Cronin, Clevehouse; and Fergal Barry, Limerick Institute of Technology.
Dr Hinfelaar informed attendees that, in partnership with Enterprise Ireland, LIT plan to add additional capacity on next year’s LEAP programme: “A proposal has been submitted to the EU under the Globalisation Adjustment Fund to add additional capacity to the LEAP programme. The main thing is that this will be a very welcome extra injection of resources into the region to develop new business, new revenue and new jobs. There is plenty of potential out there and as I’ve said on other occasions: we need to invest in people, in education and training and enterprise support, because it’s the people and their ideas that will help the economy to get back on track. The Institute certainly believes that the EAC is ideally placed to play a key role in this regard.”
Mr. Graham Royce, LEAP Programme Manager stated that rapid business incubation programmes play a key role in assisting companies to develop businesses and business plans that are attractive to potential investors as securing early stage funding is a critical milestone for growth oriented companies. He added that while the LEAP businesses are unique in terms of market focus and technology, the group helped each other immensely during what is a critical phase in their development during their first year.
Ger Hartnett and business partner Siobhan Ryan of CoClarity were awarded €3,000 for Innovation & Market Entry at the LEAP Showcase Exhibition held at LIT on Monday. Also in the photo are Dr. Maria Hinfelaar, President of LIT and Graham Royce, LEAP Programme Manager.
“The companies who participated in the 2008 programme operate across a range of sectors. Ger Hartnett developed coClarity to assist organizations to work more productively following challenges he experienced firsthand in managing email while working in a multinational environment. The value proposition of their unique internet based platform focuses on optimising communication and enhancing project efficiency and delivery. The promoter of Firebird Medical, John Shanahan also builds on his industry experience. The company develops smart wearable devices for better healthcare with the founding team bringing both R&D and commercial expertise to the new venture. Emutex is an embedded software design house that develops and delivers software solutions that drive complex electronic hardware components embedded in communications products. They have worked with several start ups over the last year including Firebird Medical and Wiseloads.com from the LEAP programme. Pauric Logue describes Wiseloads.com as providing in the logistics arena for online sellers what PayPal is for Online Payment.”
He continued, “One of our highest profile participants is Donall O’Connor, Pedigree cattle.ie who secured investment from Dragons Den earlier in the year. The business provides farmers with a website to advertise, source and market their pedigree herds online. Other Clare based entrepreneurs include Madeline McAleer, Clarefocus.ie an interactive, daily up-dated, on-line communications hub that provides information on business, social, community, education and tourism events/activities. During the 2008 programme, Mike Linnane of Evolve Technologies has introduced a new product called RASP that provides compliance software and consulting services to industries where complying to regulations is very time consuming and needs automation. KPM Group headed by Gearoid Kennedy is undertaking a feasibility analysis of an editing and publishing system for the Scientific, Technical and Medical Publishing market. Moving away from high tech is the hugely innovative Pitchside International Products who have developed a new sports bag that offers style, fashion, and improved functionality for Gaelic sports players. Off We Go Publishing was set up by a Mum on a mission, providing books to help children learn day-to-day skills such as going to the dentist, they have proven to be of particular benefit for children with special needs. During the programme, Avril Webster has consolidated in the Irish market by developing their online and retail presence and expanded in the UK market while also working on electronic versions of the content.”
Winners again! Donall O Connor and Micheal O'Donnell of Pedigreecattle.ie show off their €2,000 cheque for the Best Business Plan at the LEAP Showcase Exhibition. The young entrepreneurs were also featured this year on the Dragon's Den where they secured €50,000 in investment for their online business.
The networking reception was kindly sponsored by Enterprise Ireland, Carey & Associates and CPL.
Photographs from Kieran Clancy, Picsure
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Award Winners
The three emerging new business awards sponsored by the Enterprise Acceleration Centre to a total value of €10,000.
Other participant companies:
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