Graham Clarke

The National Enterprise Hub has made it easier for Irish SMEs to access funding, advice, and support. Since launching, it’s helped over 6,500 businesses and attracted 220,000 users by streamlining access to over 250 government supports. The top grants availed of by businesses to date through the Hub have ranged in value from €3,000 to €7,000. Read more from Conor O'Donovan Head of Start-Ups and the National Enterprise Hub in the Irish Independent https://shorturl.at/AaObT

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Enterprise Ireland's Pre-Seed Start Fund (PSSF) offers early-stage Irish startups €50,000 or €100,000 in funding via a Convertible Loan Note (CLN) to help develop products, build teams, and reach key milestones needed to secure future seed investment. The fund supports startups with global potential, helping cover operational costs, product testing, and skill development. The Irish BICs (Business Innovation Centres) provide hands-on support throughout the application process. Monthly webinars are available to guide applicants, with the next one hosted by Propelor BIC on Sept 16th Click here for more info https://lnkd.in/ejP8g9jP and here to register for this webinar https://lnkd.in/ens4QCzi

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This one is for any Northern Ireland-based SMEs & entrepreneurs wishing to improve productivity through more effective use of AI. AwakenHub along with #TechNIAdvocates will deliver their #ActivateAI pilot for 30 participants between December and March, funded by the UK Tech Cluster Group’s Regional Booster Programme. This initiative is designed to empower founders and businesses across Northern Ireland to embrace artificial intelligence, increase productivity, and scale their businesses. If you’re a founder or SME and you know that you could turbo-charge your business productivity by embracing AI but you’re not yet sure where to start, then this is for you. Expect from our programme the usual AwakenHub mix of practical help and superstar speakers leading the sessions within a fabulous & inclusive community environment. 👇 Apply below by 7 November to be part of Activate AI - https://lnkd.in/eZcgNdun (Image by AI of course! Applications open to everyone) Matrix, The Northern Ireland Science Industry Panel Artificial Intelligence Collaboration Centre (AICC) NI Chamber Russ Shaw CBE Martin Spiller John Ferris North West Regional College (NWRC) David Crozier, CBE Ulster University

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Quick thought on supporting startups in Ireland. We talk a great game, but the infrastructure tells a different story. Today, I saw the registration for an upcoming industry conference about a critical topic for Ireland's competitive aspirations by a state funded body. - Standard Ticket: €220 - NGO/Charitable Body Ticket: €110 - Student Ticket: €50 Early-Stage Startup Ticket: ...Doesn't exist. For a bootstrapped or pre-seed startup, €220 is not just the ticket price. It's a day of a founder's time away from building, coding, or selling. It's a significant barrier to entry. I personally know three founders who would have attended to learn and network but were priced out. I am a strong advocate for not going to events as a founder but the potential to network in Ireland on these industry critical issues is frankly rare. If we want to foster a world-class innovation hub, we need to ensure the most innovative players, the startups, are actually in the room. A simple "Startup Founder" ticket would be a start. #IrishTech #Startups #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #Ecosystem #Accessibility

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🚀 Agentic AI is revolutionising business operations by enabling full-scale organisational transformation. 💬 As highlighted by David Lee in The Irish Times, the real value comes from expanding capabilities rather than just cutting costs. Picture AI conducting end-to-end fraud investigations or customising customer service interactions—this is the unfolding future. ✅ With 79% of companies already on board, it’s time to redefine your business strategy with the power of AI. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gf-4bTss. #AgenticAI #ArtificialIntelligence

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Are you a small business owner? 🏪 Cyber security is not just an information technology problem, but an integral part of an overall business strategy. Even a minor cyber security incident can have devastating impacts on a small business in Ireland. This guidance document includes practical and evidence-based security measures to help protect your business against some of the most common threats in the area. Guidance document can be found here: https://lnkd.in/eXKDtDQa

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