Business Development Training Programmes

Lean for Micro-Enterprises Programme

The Local Enterprise Offices, as part of our ongoing commitment to our micro-enterprises, continue to run Lean Programmes annually. Email us to express your interest in our Autumn 2021 Lean Programme: cathal.debaroid@leo.corkcoco.ie or Dean.Meaney@leo.corkcoco.ie.

The Food Academy Programme

To help develop Ireland’s artisan food industry, the Local Enterprise Offices, SuperValu and Bord Bia joined forces in 2013 to create ‘Food Academy’ – a tailored programme for new and early-stage food business owners.

The aim of Food Academy is to provide small food business with a solid foundation to progress to the shelves of retailers. All participants in Food Academy will be given the opportunity to pitch their product to a panel of SuperValu representatives including the local SuperValu owner. The panel mentor the businesses, share their expertise and advise to allow the participants to make any changes they deem necessary to improve their offer.

Start Your Own Business Programme

It is important to plan in advance of setting up a business.  Preparation is the single most important thing you can do to ensure your fledging business gets off the ground and continues flying. This programme is ideal if you have a business idea which you want to research further, if you are considering self employment as an option or if you have recently starting a new business (within the last 6 months). 

Women in Business Programme

This women in business programme is open to small companies (those employing 1-10 employees) within the West Cork and North Cork catchment areas. It is suitable for a female business owner trading with 12 months+. It is ideal for those who wish to broaden and develop their knowledge in the areas of: strategic business planning, finance, raising money, marketing, sales, public relations, pitching, the business plan. If you are looking for assistance to move your business to the next stage of growth, this programme is for you and your business.  

Accelerate Management Development Programme

The aim of this programme is to provide the owner/manager with the management, leadership, business skills and knowledge to achieve sustainability and growth in their business.  This integrated learning and mentor programme is designed to make an impact on the owner manager and their business. Those participating in this programme should be at an advanced stage of growth or looking to diversify their business and trading with 3-5 years plus. 

UCC Ignite

Ignite is an incubation centre at University College Cork for higher education graduates of any discipline to create jobs by nurturing entrepreneurship, accelerate business start-ups, turn innovative ideas into innovative products and services while participating in a structured programme on all aspects of bringing a product or service to market.

The Rubicon Centre

The Rubicon Centre is an incubation centre located on the CIT campus and is home to 60 knowledge based start-up companies. Clients based at the Rubicon are at different stages of development, from concept stage to completing their first customer orders and many are already trading on international markets.

New Frontiers Programme

New Frontiers is a national entrepreneur development programme, funded by Enterprise Ireland. It is run over three phases, which provides an integrated and comprehensive set of business development supports to participants including incubation space, training, individual coaching and funding. It is delivered by third level institutions at 16 locations around Ireland. In the Cork Region it is delivered by the Rubicon Centre.