A €20,000 prize is up for grabs as part of a new competition for entrepreneurs called Jump Start 2010 being run by the LINC (Learning and Innovation Centre) at the Institute of Technology Blanchardstown.
Launched today by entrepreneur Bobby Kerr, the prize includes an incubation space for 12 months at the LINC and over €10,000 of dedicated mentoring from industry experts.
Judged by a panel of their peers, the Jump Start 2010 shortlisted entrants will get the unique opportunity to present their ideas to Kerr, another entrepreneur Fran Rooney; Declan Kennelly, regional director AIB, Dublin North & West, Oisin Geoghan, CEO Fingal County Enterprise Board, and George Kiely, Enterprise Ireland.
“AIB Blanchardstown is delighted to be supporting Jumpstart 2010 -– it gives us an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment and support for the SME sector and specifically early-stage businesses. I think it’s very important to give start-ups every chance to succeed and Jump Start is an excellent way of doing that,” said Kelleher.
The prize for the winner of Jump Start 2010 includes:
- An incubation space of 23sqm for 12 months in the brand new wing of the LINC building
- Electricity and heating bills
- Free WiFi access within the building and their office
- Free use of the boardroom with teas and coffees for four meetings during the year
- Over €10,000 of dedicated mentoring from a panel of key mentors including the areas of digital marketing, sales, market research, business strategy, finance and funding and intellectual property, etc.
The Jump Start 2010 winner will also have access to:
- A structured approach to the development of their business through the “Create, Learn, Grow” programme
- Mentoring on key aspects of business development
- Industry specific seminars to support innovation and development for the companies
- Access to the academic expertise of the institute
- A cohort of students for placements and possible recruitment
- Access to the facilities in the building including meeting rooms, training rooms and computer labs.
Interested applicants must meet certain criteria:
- The business must be technology or knowledge based – competitive advantage could be due to the existence of intellectual property.
- There is an intent to export if they are not already exporting
- The business plan includes substantial growth strengthening the economic impact of the business within the region
- The applicant must be in business for less than two years
Application forms can be downloaded from www.thelinc.ie/jumpstart with a closing date for applications of 12 noon, 17 September 2010.
Jump Start 2010 is supported by AIB Blanchardstown, Fingal County Enterprise Board and Enterprise Ireland.
Article courtesy of Bizstartup.ie. Head over to Bizstartup.ie for the latest Irish start-up news and advice.