Initium programme

NITIUM Kieran Comerford, Maria Couchman

Introducing the Initium South East Start-Up Programme


Opportunity knocks to fast track businesses with the help of South East entrepreneurs

Initium programme is funded under the Local Enterprise Office Competitive Fund by Enterprise Ireland and the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation.


South East Entrepreneurs including Damian Donlan, CEO at Dulann Ireland & Scotland have come together with the Local Enterprise Offices, Enterprise Ireland, South East BIC, IT Carlow & Ireland South East Office to offer start-up companies a chance to gain over €2,000 worth of support to bring their business to the next level in 2020.


Damian Donlan, CEO at Dulann Ireland & Scotland, commented: ‘I am delighted to support the Initium South East Start-Up programme. Helping high potential entrepreneurs in practical and efficient ways is something that Dulann really believe in and is central to the Initium South East programme. It is of critical importance in supporting new industry start-ups that create sustainable enterprise and employment in the South East region.’

Dulann.com provides complete eLearning solutions via a seamless and cost-effective cloud platform to organisations and government departments that wish to significantly reduce training costs and at the same time improve customer service and operational standards. The company brings together over 40 Years of management experience and was co-founded by Damian Donlon & Matthias Kausch.

Speaking about the importance of Start-Ups to the Region, Alan Quirke, Director from the Ireland South East Office said, “We in the Ireland South East Office are delighted to be part of the Initium South East Start-Up programme supporting new enterprise start-up and prosper in the South East region”.

Participants of the programme will undertake an intense 2-day boot camp, in conjunction with one to one business mentoring, that evaluates their business or concept, as well as completing a business plan and funding applications, and sign posting viable enterprises onto further supports.

Speaking on behalf of the Local Authorities, Kathleen Holohan, Chief Executive of Carlow County Council commented, ‘The Initium South East programme is actively designed to stimulate start-up companies with the support of world leading industry champions. This practical regional support programme will deliver defined outputs which give new and aspiring entrepreneurs a clear understanding of their concept in the marketplace that will allow them to focus their tight resources efficiently whilst driving their concept or company forward”.

On completion of the Initium South East programme, companies will be able to decide whether to start their own business or if their concept needs further refinement, supports for both paths will be provided.

Initium South East can help progress both concepts and companies in various areas, including:


• ICT: VISUALISATION, TECHNOLOGY & SOFTWARE;
• ENGINEERING;
• FINANCIAL SERVICES;
• LIFE SCIENCES
• TALENT OPPORTUNITY & INTRAPRENEURSHIP.

Attending the launch also was Kate Whelan from Bin-Dok, Magdalena and Tomas Pydych from Little Crew, David Bambrick from Equireel all of whom have been supported by the Local Enterprises Offices to start and develop their businesses in 2019.

The programme is heavily subsidised and offers support and mentoring to the value of over €2,000 for a programme fee of €150.

Expressions of interest should be submitted online from Feb 2nd and not later than Feb 21st.

The Initium South East programme will allow entrepreneurs to efficiently decide how best to progress a start-up business for sustainable and profitable enterprise in a progressive and supported space.

To find out more about the Initium South East Start-Up Programme, please visit www.localenterprise.ie/Carlow/Start-or-Grow-your-Business/Initium-South-East-Regional-Startup-Programme/Initium-South-East.html