Phase 1 – a part-time 8-10 week programme commencing again from June 2013. We encourage participants to complete Phase 1 covering a feasibility study.

Phase 2 – all those who are ready can make applications to participate in our 2nd Phase 2 2013 full-time programme to be delivered over 6 months offered at The LINC  ITB (Sept 2013).

Please contact us if you wish to discuss and make applications.

All applications can be  downloaded here

Completed applications and all correspondence can be mailed to us at: innovate@synergycentre.ie

 Tuesday Mornings, 8.00 – 09.30am

Tea, Coffee & Pastries Served 

Tuesday 26^th March 2013, 8.00am

Preparing Your Pitch

Speaker: Catherine Moonan, Communication Matters

Catherine Moonan is Managing Director of Communication Matters, a company which provides training and coaching in Communication and Presentation Skills. Catherine is the Pitch Coach for the Irish version of the ‘Dragons’ Den’. She coached all of the aspiring entrepreneurs on their two-minute pitch before facing the ‘Dragons’.

She has trained individuals and groups from a wide range of companies, such as Bank of Scotland (Ireland) and Bank of Ireland to Hegarty Construction and An Post. For the last five years, Catherine has coached entrepreneurs on DIT’s Hothouse Venture Programme on perfecting their pitch to venture capitalists.Catherine holds an Honours Degree in French and German and a Masters Degree in Journalism, both from Dublin City University. She has a Higher Diploma in Education from Trinity College, Dublin, and a Teaching Diploma in Speech and Drama from London College.

Before setting up Communication Matters in 2002, Catherine worked as cabin crew in Aer Lingus, she was a French and German secondary school teacher, and a manager with Compaq Computers. Catherine also works as a freelance journalist. She writes regularly for the Irish Independent, Health and Living supplement, and has carried out research for RTE Prime Time.

*All breakfast briefings are free of charge but places should be reserved in advance. 

Contact:  Onray.brainard@ittdublin.ie or call 01-404 2083.

New Frontiers Phase 2 Applications are now open. Applications Deadline 15 April 2013

Phase 2 commences again in May 2013. – Please download the Phase 2 application form

Complete and return / Or request an application from us at: innovate@synergycentre.ie

Phase 1 programmes commence again May/June 2013. 

We encourage participants to complete Phase 1 covering a feasibility study but all those who are ready please make applications to participate in either of the two Phase 2 full-time programmes to be delivered over 6 months offered at Synergy Centre (May 2013) and then The LINC (Sept 2013).

Applications will open soon. Please contact us if you wish to discuss and application.

Phase 2  of the New Frontiers programme at the Synergy Centre, ITT Dublin has just got underway. This group of 15 technology start-ups include companies in the internet, enterprise software, apps, mobile, games, e-learning, and social commerce  sectors.

The New Frontiers programme encourages high-potential entrepreneurs with the commitment and capability required to develop and deliver sustainable businesses. A major element of this programme at the Synergy Centre is to produce companies eligible for Venture Capital, Enterprises Ireland’s high potential start-up (HPSU) and County Enterprise Board supports.

These 15 start-ups have successfully had their business ideas and capability tested in the first phase of the New Frontiers programme. They are now participating on the six month intensive core element of the programme which is focused on developing the person as an entrepreneur.   All of the successful participants receive; financial support of €15,000 from Enterprise Ireland, training from team of professional coaches in all areas of business and office space at the Synergy Centre, ITT Dublin with mentoring from experienced  business advisors and practitioners and access to networking opportunities with potential investors.

Tom Rooney, Programme Manager of the New Frontiers Programme at Synergy Centre , said “The New Frontiers entrepreneur development programme offers a comprehensive package of practical and financial supports and  aims to get these entrepreneurs up to the next phase; that is to run successful and sustainable businesses and create new job opportunities in the process’’

 Speaker: Richard Watson, DBIC

Richard Watson shares his expertise and that of his colleagues from Dublin Business Innovation Centre (DBIC)  at this informative session for entrepreneurs whose focus is on the high technology and knowledge intensive sectors.

DBIC have 21 years experience of helping start-up companies grow and Richard has invested in over 30 early stage technology companies, both through the AIB Seed Capital Fund, co-managed by DBIC, and formerly through NorthStar Ventures in the UK.

Prior to supporting technology start-ups, Richard worked in product and business development with two Swedish medical device SMEs and in manufacturing and operations with Intel Ireland. He has a B.A.I (Electronic Engineering) and Research M.Sc. (Biomedical Engineering) from Trinity College Dublin and an MBA from Durham University.

*All breakfast briefings are free of charge but places should be reserved in advance. 

Contact:  Onray.brainard@ittdublin.ie or call 01-404 2083.

Connor Sweeney, InterTradeIreland

Connor is the project manager of InterTradeIreland’s flagship project, the Equity Network Seedcorn competition.  A former practice accountant, Connor has a range of experience gained from working in an advisory capacity with a number of SME’s across the island.  His skills stretch from business planning, internal management accounting to raising finance and financial control and he has worked with early stage/start up businesses and more established ventures across a wide range of industries. Connor sits on the Local Advisory Board of the Career’s Academy and he is an Associate Member of Chartered Accountants Ireland.

The 2012 All-Island Seedcorn Business Competition, is the largest business competition on the island of Ireland. In addition to the prize fund of €280,000, companies will have access to the Seedcorn Network – an extensive business community which will help boost the company’s profile. The competition offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to; Develop their business idea, Improve their business plan , Make their concept investor ready, Gain exposure to venture capitalists and other equity providers, Increase the profile of the business.

*All breakfast briefings are free of charge but places should be reserved in advance. 

All Registrations via the website: http://www.intertradeireland.com/seedcorn/events/name,11067,en.html

http://www.intertradeireland.com/newsevents/events/eventforms/Seedcorn-Workshop-IT-Tallaght-12thJune/

EU approval has finally been received for the new EII Scheme, which replaces the old BES. The new scheme is now up and running. The Seed Capital Relief Scheme also continues to run, with some changes.  In the current climate, raising funds is one of the biggest challenges facing businesses – even more so in the case of new or less-established businesses. Getting approval for bank finance is still a challenge, so any alternative sources are welcome! Could the State be a surprise source of help? Find out how these and other schemes can assist you in raising the finance to get your business off the ground and to expand.

Michael O’Scathaill is a Chartered Accountant and an Associate of the Irish Taxation Institute. He holds a Hons. B.Comm. Degree from NUI, Galway and joined Newmarket Partnership in February 2004, having previously worked for KPMG’s taxation practice for a number of years he has extensive experience in Corporate, Personal and Capital Taxation as well as VAT and Stamp Duty. He has advised companies in the financial services, agribusiness, manufacturing and airline sectors as well as some of Ireland’s best-known High Net Worth individuals. He also has experience of property transactions, company reorganisations and pensions planning. He regularly attends tax conferences and seminars staying up to date on all current tax issues.

*All breakfast briefings are free of charge but places should be reserved in advance. 

Contact  Onray.brainard@ittdublin.ie or call 01-404 2083.

NB please note campus venue change – Icon Court Training Room ITT Dublin – click here for map

KEY:-Coloured dashes indicate footpath routes in the map enclosed: 

Orange route – from Synergy

Green route – from North car-park

Yellow route – from Main-Campus entrance

The spark that encourages success.

We continue to developed our exciting collaboration with  The LINC at IT Blanchardstown. Together into 2013 we will provide the New Frontiers Entrepreneur Development Programme – Phase 1  over 8-10 weeks part-time and – Phase 2  extending for 6-7 months full-time.

Our New Frontiers  Entrepreneur Development Programme Phase 1 is offered twice and year . This will bring new entrepreneurs through a 8-10 week programme to help them convert ideas into Feasibility Studies.

The Phase 1 process will also help entrepreneurs to compete for a place on the full-time intensive 6-7 month Phase 2 Programme again offered twice a year.

Phase 1 – Applications are now being sought for our next programme commencing  mid-June 2013.  We encourage participants to complete Phase 1 covering a feasibility study.

Download the phase 1 application form

Phase 2 – Applications may now be made commencing at The LINC ITB mid-Sept 2013

Download the phase 2 – 2013 application form

 You can submit or request these directly -  innovate@synergycentre.ie

More details of the national programme are available on the Enterprise Ireland website -

www.enterprise-ireland.com/newfrontiers

‘Good HR Practices: A Strategy for Success’

Speakers: Fredericka Sheppard & Joyce Rigby- Jones, Voltedge Human Resources

Fredericka Sheppard and Joyce Rigby-Jones have united in partnership to offer HR Consultancy with greater support and services providing an enterprising platform to engage with new and developing businesses. They feel that the benefits of effective Human Resources can be felt right through any business. Finding it the stimulant that makes the difference to performance, employee engagement, the work environment and to how the business is viewed by its customers and competitors. It is the most universal component across an organisation, in all industries and in all sectors, irrespective of size or business maturity.

Fredericka worked as a senior Human Resources Manager in a number of significant organisations since 1995. In September 2002, she left her then employer Entropy to set up the HR Consultancy arm of the ODCS Group. She has extensive experience developing HR Strategies for organisations, providing outsourced HR services and partnering with HR departments offering specific additional support and advice. While working across all industry sectors in the private sector, she has also won eTenders from Government Departments and Local Authorities.

Joyce is a Psychology graduate, and is currently a national committee member of CIPD in Ireland and a Fellow of the Institute. She has worked for many years in senior Human Resources positions for many significant multinational operations, including; Ericsson, Marconi, and Glaxo Wellcome/Glaxo SmithKline. Joyce has worked on a number of international assignments, hiring management teams, contributing to strategic plans and managing the HR function in business partnerships.

Hot Topics for Start-ups:

• Contracts of employment –are they in place? The different types of contract and correct uses.
• Benefits and options  - risks/opportunities
• Social Media and IT – covering all the risks/latest issues
• Essential Employee policies – Critical policies needed either in a contract of employment or  employee handbook
• Culture- what type of culture do you want/have?

*All breakfast briefings are free of charge but places should be reserved in advance. 

Contact  Onray.brainard@ittdublin.ie or call 01-404 2083.

Business Expansion Scheme (BES): New EII scheme

Speaker: Michael O’Scathaill, Newmarket Partnership

BES (Business Expansion Scheme) is being replaced by the new EII scheme and Seed Capital remains subject to some changes. These changes require EU approval which is at an advanced stage, but no formal approval has been given yet but likely to come by December 2011. Once approval is given Regulations under the European Communities Act 1972 will give effect to any necessary changes to section 33 Finance Act 2011. The Minister for Finance will then sign a Commencement Order to give effect to section 33 Finance Act 2011 as amended by Regulations.

Michael O’Scathaill holds an Honours B.Comm. Degree from NUI, Galway and is a Chartered Accountant and an Associate of the Irish Taxation Institute. He joined Newmarket Partnership in February 2004, having previously worked for KPMG’s taxation practice for a number of years and has extensive experience in Corporate, Personal and Capital Taxation as well as VAT and Stamp Duty. He has advised companies in the financial services, agribusiness, manufacturing and airline sectors as well as some of Ireland’s best-known High Net Worth individuals. He also has experience of property transactions, company reorganisations and pensions planning. He regularly attends tax conferences and seminars staying up to date on all current tax issues.

*All breakfast briefings are free of charge but places should be reserved in advance. 

Contact  Onray.brainard@ittdublin.ie or call 01-404 2083.