ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES
These are enterprise support programmes, available through selected third level institutions, designed to nurture the development of knowledge-based business ideas, leading ultimately to the creation of new enterprise.
Over the 12 months of the programme, comprehensive business development and financial support is provided to graduate entrepreneurs interested in starting their own businesses. The programme is particularly aimed at those aiming to make a successful transition from full-time employment to managing and owning their own innovative enterprise.
The programme includes the following aspects:
- Structured Training Modules
- On-site office facilities
- Participant funding
- Mentoring assistance
Ongoing support is provided by the Programme Manager, who is available to advise, guide and assist all participants through the feasibility phase of their projects.
WESTBIC is currently involved in a number of Enterprise Development Programmes through management and training roles.
CÉIM – Entrepreneurship Training in the North-West
The CÉIM programme is an intensive one-year enterprise development programme for entrepreneurs with an innovative business idea, one that demonstrates high commercial potential and a capacity to create employment in the North West region. Since 2004 the CÉIM programme has been offered by the two third level institutions in the north west region of Ireland, namely, the Institute of Technology, Sligo and Letterkenny Institute of Technology, and is managed and co-ordinated by WESTBIC, the Business and Innovation Centre for the Border, Midland and Western region.
The programme's unique aspects include an intensive one-year programme of support offered to aspiring entrepreneurs who have a business idea with commercial potential, a focus on enterprise development and creation in the north west region, encouraging cross border enterprise and education networks.
The programme has successfully targeted a diverse group of participants including the unemployed, those without formal education, return migrants and graduates. Geographically the programme targets participants from counties Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Derry, Tyrone and Fermanagh and, in turn, promotes cross border trade and the development of enterprise networks and clusters.
The CÉIM programme is designed to accommodate entrepreneurs who require an intensive and diverse programme of support which includes:
- Business training and mentoring
- Access to office and business incubation facilities
- Networking opportunities with other entrepreneurs and national and regional enterprise supporting agencies
- Training and business management skills
- An introduction to seed capital, early stage capital investment organisations and early stage working capital.
For further information contact Ultan Faherty at 074 9186773 email