PROGRAMME OUTLINE

Are you an ambitious REMOTE WORKING entrepreneur? Have you had your Eureka moment and want to set up a start-up in the South East?

Over recent months barriers to innovative business solutions have fallen away creating a new landscape for start-up businesses. However, the start-up journey can be tough and requires resilience and endurance. Through the BrightStart programme OCO Global’s internationally respected business mentors will show you how to set your start-up business on the right growth path.

What sets the BrightStart programme apart is that high potential start-ups will be given the opportunity to pitch their idea to Enterprise Ireland, South East Business Incubation Unit and their Local Enterprise Office to apply for accelerated grant support and services which can fundamentally boost a start-up business’s growth potential.

You are on a start-up journey and it is vital that you know where you are on that journey, what you are experiencing and the tools that can be used to help you overcome hurdles. OCO Global’s combination of webinar training and one to one mentoring will give a fast, effective and robust assessment of your growth potential. OCO Global will use a combination of assessment tools so that you are able to see what you are doing well, and what areas you need to focus more on.
Applicants could be anywhere on their start-up journey from concept point to trading, however if trading should be trading for no longer than 12months as of Oct 1st 2020.

Your success on the programme is dependent on your engagement and participation – it will be challenging at times but what you put in you will get back! You will be given the chance to show that you have the best and brightest entrepreneurial idea and apply for High Potential Start-Up grant aid and support.

FORMAT

Phase 1:
WEBINAR: Participants will attend a 3.5hour online webinar focusing on start-up supports and entrepreneurial culture required for successful business development growth. You will work with OCO Global to complete business assessment tools which will be used to help you understand what areas of your business need more support. After the webinar you will have completed essential work that will frame your strategic thinking for your business.

Phase 2: MENTORING: Each participant will then get 2 x 1.5hr one to one mentoring sessions with OCO Global mentors who will use the webinar work to develop a prioritised action plan for your business concept. The BrightStart business mentor will cover strategic topics such as product feasibility, new sales platforms, target market, marketing and sales, finance and profitability as well as grant aid and business supports. OCO Global will also produce individual evaluation report with recommendation on High Potential Start-Up supports.

Phase 3: High Potential Start-Ups will pitch their idea to Enterprise Ireland, South East Business Incubation Unit and Local Enterprise Office executive to apply for accelerated grant aid and business supports.

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FORM

DEADLINE Jan 20th 2021
If you are interested in participating on the programme please complete the Expression of Interest form available HERE and return by email to your Local Enterprise Office contact listed below by 20th January 2021

Potential participants will be contacted and invited to do a brief pitch video via MS Teams/Zoom after the deadline .

Note applicants could be anywhere on their start-up journey from conception point to trading, however if trading should be trading for less than 12 months as of October 1st 2020.

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
I understand that by completing the BrightStart expression of interest form, I will provide the Carlow and Kilkenny County Council’s - Local Enterprise Office with my personal data. I consent to this personal data being used to contact me in respect of this activity and associated activities in respect of this development activity. I also understand and agree that my personal data may be held and used by the organiser and third-party provider (mentor as required) in order to support the development of my business and for analysis of general participation in the Local Enterprise Office Programme. I hereby declare that all the information submitted by me in the application form is correct, true and valid and that I am over the age of 18 years.