What Every Start-Up Needs to Know: Top Tips for Entrepreneurs

WestBIC is an Enterprise Ireland partner providing hands-on startup support, funding readiness and investment preparation for early-stage founders in the west of Ireland.

Starting a business is an exciting yet challenging journey, and with so much advice available, it can be difficult to know where to focus.

At WestBIC, we work with entrepreneurs across various industries, helping them navigate key aspects of business growth, from concept to commercialization.

To support those on their start-up journey we’ve gathered insights from some of the founders and leaders we support. Their advice, drawn from real-world experience, covers critical areas such as funding, product development, networking, and resilience, offering practical wisdom to help early-stage entrepreneurs on their path to success.

Funding & Finance Advice

Margaret Rae, Founder & Managing Director Konree Innovation
“Every application for funding brings experience, although the rejections feel bad, the key is to learn why it was rejected, get the feedback and this will help you later on to build better applications.”

Fergal O’Connor, CEO BuyMedia
“Don’t run out of cash, validate your ideas with customers, and get to revenue as soon as possible.”

Suzanne Moloney, Founder HidraMed Solutions
“Ireland is a great place to be an entrepreneur. There are so many networking opportunities, different grants and great support schemes. It’s just a case of finding the right one for you and using it.”

Product Development & Market Validation Advice

Patrick McDermot, CEO DigiTally
“Validate your product as quickly as possible, have a very strong and clear understanding of your target market and how you are going to sell to them. Make sure you’re very clear on the value that you are going to be giving to them.”

Paul Walsh, Founder Tarracor
“However unrefined it might be, get a product out in the world as soon as you can. People start taking you seriously once you’ve something real to show them. Then ask people for what you need, you will be amazed how it all starts to progress.”

Anthony Cahill, Founder & CEO Kyzentree
“Take the time to really understand the problem that you are trying to solve. A good solution is only a good solution if you are fixing a real problem for somebody and if they see your solution as the best way to fix that problem.”

Networking & Support Systems

Sean Gilbride, Founder & CEO Digi Food NPD
“Start networking with anyone prominent in your target market and in your relevant technology field, talk to people especially those who work in your industry, talk to investment circles.”

Jenna Farrell, Co-Founder Scopey
“Make use of all the amazing supports Ireland has to offer, starting with your local LEO office, then moving on to your BICS and Enterprise Ireland. West BIC was a great support for Scopey with our PSSF application, and it led to a positive result. They continue to work with us, and our success is theirs!”

Ruairi & Niamh Dooley Co-founders BiaSol
“The support from other entrepreneurs, businesses & state agencies in Ireland is fantastic. Our advice is don’t be afraid to reach out and talk to as many people as possible. You never know where a conversation might lead to. The biggest issue we faced is building awareness so take every opportunity you can to promote yourselves — events, awards, PR etc.”

Resilience & Entrepreneurial Mindset

Michael Furey Founder & CEO Ronspot
“Listen to those who have experience and knowledge in the start-up environment but ultimately trust yourself and your own conclusions. Nobody is as close to the detail of your business and the market as yourself. Stay rational and dispassionate about the decisions that impact the business. Be prepared to work hard.”

Brandon Blacoe & Eibhlin O’Riordan Co-founders ByoWave
“Be as open minded as possible and get insights from as diverse a network as you can! It is very hard at the beginning to convince people to get on board with what you are doing with just an idea, and therefore even harder to accept that people shutting aspects of what you are proposing may have a point.”

Brian O’Rourke, CEO CitySwift
“For any new company starting up, it’s key to speak to prospective clients early, to test your ideas, validate assumptions and really try to eliminate wasted time and resources by building a product or service that isn’t fit-for-purpose. You will always need to iterate and fine-tune but the quicker you can do this, the quicker you get to build a good foundation for scale.”

Entrepreneurship is a journey filled with learning, resilience, and constant adaptation. While every business is unique, the lessons shared by these founders highlight the importance of persistence, strategic planning, and leveraging the right support networks.

Whether you’re securing funding, validating your product, or building a strong entrepreneurial mindset, the insights above serve as a valuable guide.

Take inspiration from those who have been in your shoes and remember, success often comes from learning, iterating, and staying the course.

To learn more about how WestBIC can support you on your entrepreneurial journey visit www.westbic.ie