Venue:            Delivered Online through Zoom Platform

Date:                9^th April 2020

Time:                2pm to 3.30pm

Overview:

Responding quickly to financial pressures is vital to ensure you stay in business during these challenging times.   

The Local Enterprise Office Meath is now assisting both new and existing businesses to apply for the Microfinance Ireland loan application process during COVID 19.   We have reacted quickly, pivoted and moved our information session online to specifically support you.   This Zoom to Improve session will comprise of the vital information that you need to apply for the COVID-19 Loan and the business support options available with MFI.

The COVID-19 Business Loan from Microfinance Ireland (MFI) is a government initiative to support small businesses through the current period of uncertainty and protect job creation or sustainment in Ireland.

The following is a list of the loans currently available through MFI:

ü  Loan terms that would run up to 3 to 5 years

ü  Loan applications from between €3,000 - €50,000

ü  Fixed repayments with no fee/penalty incurred for early repayments

ü  Preferential Interest Rate 6.8% APR fixed by applying through LEO Kildare

ü  No fees, hidden costs of charges

Eligibility and who can apply for these loans:

ü  Businesses from all sectors may apply to include – Limited Companies / Sole Trader or Partnerships)

ü  Businesses based in the Kildare region with fewer than 10 employees and an annual turnover of less than €2m

ü  Businesses who are currently not in a position to receive finance from commercial lending providers including banks

ü  Businesses who have seen their profit or turnover negatively impacted by Covid-19 by at least 15%

ü  **(Businesses outside of the Meath area should visit www.localenterprise.ie to find details of their relevant LEO)

The online session will assist you with the below key areas:

• What is currently available through MFI during COVID 19
• Clarification on the eligibility criteria

• How to approach the application process
• What is important to include in the application
• Tips and essential information you must provide
• Avoiding the pitfalls in completing the form 
• Insight into how your application will evaluated

Structure:

• Online/Remote classroom based
• Zoom Virtual Classroom
• You will only need a PC/laptop/smart phone or tablet to participate
• This interactive training experience enables you to connect remotely with our Specialists in an online classroom (using features such as screensharing, ppts, whiteboards and break out rooms)
• Individual Mentoring online on a one to one basis (on line) following the group sessions that will be available by appointment to suit your schedule.

Optimum Limited, our Training Partner, has been in business for 30 years and has managed a business through the last recession.  They will be ensuring you have Expert Assistance from their Specialist Team providing you with practical, focussed knowledge and advice that will help  you to survive and thrive in the future when this crisis is over. 

How to use Zoom

Click below to view a video explaining how to operate Zoom - the online platform that will host this course.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFhAEoCF7jg&feature=youtu.be%20

We will email you the details to log in, once you are registered.