The RDC are hosting a series of walk-in One to One Intellectual Property Clinics in 2012. These clinics are open to everyone who wishes to consult an expert for advice on all aspects of IP - Patents, Trademarks, Copyright and Registered Designs.

There is no cost for the Clinics (limited to 40mins max) which will offer preliminary advice.

The  next session will run from 9am to 1pm on Friday July 20th and will be on a first come basis.
Bookings can be made on the morning of the Clinic by contacting Mary Higgins

Phone:  042 9370400     Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Tech Start-Ups line out for New Frontiers Phase 2

Paschal McGuire, Director Entrepreneurship, Enterprise Ireland, Border Region (3rd from left) launched “New Frontiers” Phase 2 in Dundalk Institute of Technology this week. New Frontiers is a national programme funded and coordinated by Enterprise Ireland that provides a comprehensive suite of supports for high potential entrepreneurs operating in the technology sector.

After congratulating the thirteen successful applicants Mr McGuire said “the focus of the programme is to help the participants create sustainable businesses, jobs and economic stability in the (border) region. It is encouraging to see such high calibre people and business ideas gathered here from Cavan, Meath, Monaghan, Louth and Dublin North who are set to benefit from New Frontiers over the next 6 months”.

Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT), in collaboration with Dublin City University, is the first Institute to start Phase 2 of the programme. 13 start-ups were chosen after a lengthy selection process which began in February 2012 and over the next six months these participants will receive training and mentoring on a range of business issues. They also receive office space in either the Regional Development Centre in DkIT or Invent DCU and will have access to the research and know how of both colleges. Each will also receive financial support for the six month period while they bring their businesses to an investible proposition.

Speaking at the launch Maria Johnston, Operations Manager Invent DCU, commented “to get to this phase of the programme these entrepreneurs had to prove they had the desire, energy and belief in their business proposition as well as proving that there is significant market demand for their products or services. Having done so they now have the full range of supports both Institutions have to offer to move their business forward”.

Garrett Duffy, Programme Manager, DkIT said “The New Frontiers Programme builds on the collaborative success the Regional Development Centre, DkIT and Invent DCU has had providing supports for start-up and early stage businesses. Since May 2011 this collaboration has seen graduate companies receive offers of in excess of €2.5 million investment into their businesses”.

The New Frontier participants operate in a variety of technology sectors including energy, gaming, medical devices, e-commerce, telecommunications, social media and sport.

Enterprising Student of the Year

There was a great spirit of enterprise around the college on Thursday 3rd May as students battled it out for the title of ‘Enterprising Student of the Year 2012’. The students nominated for this prestigious title were actively involved in DkIT Student Enterprise activities throughout the year.

On the 30^th of April they were each given an envelope which contained the task and €20. For this task they were required to use the €20 to purchase up to five items, they had to add value to these items and then sell these items within the college, with the intent of making a profit.

Students presented there stories in L2 at 3 p.m. on Thursday 3^rd May and it was clear that the judges were going to have a though decision deciding a winner and a runner-up. The participants’ efforts were outstanding, very creative and well presented. But like all competitions they must be a winner and after a long deliberation among the judges Cormac Woods a third year student of Business Studies was crowned ‘Enterprising Student of the Year 2012’. Cormac purchased five pallets with his €20, broke them up into sticks, filled seven big bags and sold them within fifteen minutes outside the Whitaker Theatre. For his efforts he was presented with a gold medal and a tablet computer.

Our runner up was Jessica O’Connor Moneley who is also a third year Business Studies student. Jessica purchased four handbags and some sewing material. She then created some beautiful designs on these handbags and sold them to her network of friends within the college. For her efforts she was presented with a silver medal and a tablet computer.

DkIT Student Enterprise would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who got involved this year, both students and staff. We look forward to your continued support next year.

For more information on DkIT Student Enterprise visit: www.facebook.com/dkitstudententerprise

The Success Through Succession Programme  Completes a Suite of Training Workshop with its Cohort II Companies.

Facilitated by FPM Chartered Accountants the STS programme on 15^th and 16^th April hosted a two day financial training workshop ‘Harvesting the Family Business’. Through interactive exercises and case studies this training introduced the family businesses who participated to the fundamentals of finance delving into areas such as Financial Appraisal techniques, Interpretation of Financial Statements, Cashflow, Pricing and Costing, and introducing Key Performance Indicators to the family business.
On 23^rd and 24^th of April the STS programme  hosted a two day Sales and Marketing training workshop. This training was facilitated by Core Consulting who through interactive exercises, case studies and role play introduced the family businesses who participated to a pragmatic approach to Sales and Marketing with a particular emphasis from a Family Business context. The participants also benefited from guest speakers Gary Topping of ITS New Media who introduced social media aspects of Sales and Marketing to the training and Andrew Shortt of Castlecool Ltd who gave the participants an overview of their family business recent re-branding and marketing drive.

On 1^st and 2^nd May the STS Programme hosted a two day Leadership training workshop. This training was facilitated by Core Consulting who through an interactive approach, with both individual and group exercises, introduced the family business members who participated to a pragmatic approach to Leadership within a Family Business context. The training had a particular emphasis on the successor to the family business and the importance of leadership to developing the Family Business Constitution and Succession Plan. Activities also included psychometric analysis that provided participants with key information on aspects of their leadership style providing a wealth of information specifically where improvements can be made. The participants also benefited from  a STS Cohort I guest speaker, Noel Matthews of Matthews Coaches Ltd, who gave the participants his personal experience and views as to the importance of Leadership in the context of succession and how that has benefited his Family business.

For further information visit:

www.successthroughsuccession.com

New Frontiers Programme Phase 2

 Success Through Succession: Cohort II attend workshop # 3

The Success Through Succession (STS) Programme is a three-year programme with total project funding of €1.74m and is a collaborative partnership between Dundalk Institute of Technology, Glasgow Caledonian University, being led by the University of Ulster and aims to strategically assist family owned SMEs across Northern Ireland, the Six Border Counties of Ireland and the West of Scotland to manage the challenges of succession using a series of interventions. The STS Programme having brought  its first cohort of companies through the process has now almost completed the process with the second cohort companies on their STS journey.

On 27^th March 2012 the STS Programme in Ireland hosted our regional Workshop 3 event for our Cohort II STS participant companies in the Four Seasons Hotel, Carlingford, Co. Louth. Ten cohort II companies were able to attend the event with a total of 21 delegates from our companies and a generous mix of both senior and younger generation. The event was also attended by some our mentor panel who engaged with the event on the day facilitating some of the group work exercises.

This one-day event offered interactive sessions crossing themes of the Family Constitution – Governance and Accountability, facilitated by Francis Martin of BDO Family Business Centre, wealth management, facilitated by Carol Malcolmson of BDO, and Evolving Family Business Values, focusing on the emotive elements associated with succession, facilitated by Cathy Booth of the BDO Family Business Centre. The event also included a keynote speaker and family business practitioner from our Cohort I companies, Paddy Matthews of Matthews Coaches.

STS Business Psychology Mentor working with the incumbent generation during a Group Work activity

Paddy Matthews, STS Cohort I Client addressing the Workshop 3 Cohort II companies

General Business Mentor Working with the successor generation during one of the interactive sessions at the workshop

Participant testimonials of the event include:

‘Excellent speakers

‘Very informative.’

 Participant testimonials on the most valuable part the event include:

‘The Family Constitution’

 ‘Life after succession…really good content and advice ‘

‘Understanding the importance of family planning and putting paperwork in place.’

‘Hearing a real life story from Paddy Matthews’

For further information visit:

www.successthroughsuccession.com where the STS Workbook and other pertinent information can be accessed by both the participant companies and other family owned businesses.

And/or contact Aidan Browne, STS Project Manager for Ireland on +353 (0)42 9327455

For the second year running DkIT Student Enterprise ran an Enterprise Week. The aim of the week was to help students find out more about enterprise, the resources DkIT Student Enterprise provides students and to encourage participation.

Gavin Duffy @ DkIT Student Enterprise

Gavin Duffy, serial entrepreneur and dragon off RTE’s Dragons’ Den kicked off the week in the Whitaker Theatre. Embracing the stage Gavin talked about his journey as an entrepreneur, how he believes Ireland is an island of innovation and the opportunities that have being presented to him because of Dragons’ Den.

The Rookie Challenge

Throughout Monday sign up for this years ‘Rookie Challenge’ took place. The ‘Rookie Challenge’ is like ‘The Apprentice’ on T.V. where in teams of three of four students compete with each other to win a prize by completing entrepreneurial tasks every day. This year forty-one teams signed up for the ‘Rookie Challenge’ to compete to win tablet computers, one for each member of the winning team.

The submission deadline of the first task of the ‘Rookie Challenge’ was at 2 p.m. on Tuesday 21^st, then at 3 p.m. eight semi-finalists were chosen, contacted and presented with ‘The Selling Task’. For this task they were presented with various items in a black bag valued at €33 and they were given exactly twenty-four hours to make as much profit as they could in the most innovative and creative ways. The eight semi-finalists then met up in the Whitaker Theatre at 3 p.m. on Wednesday where they presented their results. The judges then selected four teams that progressed to the final and they were presented with the final task which was to: “Develop a business idea be it a product or a service that will improve our everyday lives.”

The final four teams were:

Business Students: Sean McArdle, Thomas Quigley, Zara Atherton, Christopher Goslin.

Erasmus Students: Petit Marion, Le Perdriel Camille, Goupil Eloise, Cochennec Laura.

Engineering Students: Ciaran McGuill, Anjani Bhandari, Mangesh Khanal, Zhong Noulao.

Computing Students: David McQuaid, Eoin Healy, Aidan Mathews.

The teams had less than twenty-four hours until they presented to Student Enterprise’s very own panel of Dundalk Dragons’: Mario MacBlain Lecturer in the School of Business Studies, Sarah Jane Lynch Owner of www.thedesignbasket.com, Colman Ledwith Lecturer in the School of Engineering and Dermot Logue Lecturer in the School of Computing.

After long deliberation between the judges the runners-up and winners were announced. The runners up were David McQuaid, Eoin Healy and Aidan Mathews second year Software Development students. Four students from the School of Business, Sean McArdle, Thomas Quigley, Zara Atherton and Christopher Goslin were crowned the winners of the ‘Rookie Challenge 2012’ and they were rewarded for their tremendous hard work by being presented with a tablet computer each.

Students Think Outside The Box Awards

On Tuesday morning Gillian Slattery from Enterprise Ireland spoke to the students about the ‘Students Think Outside The Box Awards’. This competition offers third level students from all academic disciplines and courses of study the opportunity to realise their entrepreneurial ambitions. This year the competition has prizes valued at €60,000. For more information visit: www.thinkoutsidetheboxawards.com.

Computing Guest Speaking Event

Also on Tuesday the Computing students were treated to two guest speakers who set up businesses from their interests. First was Jason McGee who is a native of the region. Jason set up his web design and I.T. consultancy business called www.jascom.ie out of a desire to be self-employed. Having experienced what it is like to work for a company as well Jason used his experience to talk the students through the benefits of having a job against the benefits of setting up your own business and working for yourself. Next up was Ellen Dudley founder of www.crowdscanner.com. CrowdScanner has developed a platform to help conference organisers stimulate discussions between people in the same room, face to face, using mobile applications. Their most popular application called PeopleHunt uses psychological profiling and gaming mechanics to make it fun to discover people in a networking context. This company is certainly one to watch in the years ahead.

Engineering Guest Speaking Event

For the engineering department DkIT Student Enterprise presented guest speakers on the Wednesday, Ken Stewart of Valley Forge and Derek Roddy of Smart Homes. Derek got the event started by explaining where he found his entrepreneurial spirit creating a new screw to setting up Smart Homes with former presidential candidate Sean Gallagher. He talked about how they identified their market of creating actual smart homes in the building boom, the effect of the recession and the direction he hopes the company will take. This direction is led by a new product they have on offer called Climote. With an investment of over €3 million, Climote revolutionises the way we program our heating systems, both home and commercial.

Ken Stewart is a former student of DkIT some 37 years ago. Originally starting out building canopies for shops, he was then asked if he could build a refrigeration unit for one customer. This eventually led Valley Forge to becoming the leading deli-counter supplier in Ireland, 80% of deli-counter units in Ireland now come from Valley Forge. He provided the eager students with some simple but effective business advice along with a story or two.

Promotional Event for Molly Malone the Student Mobile Shop

On the Thursday of Enterprise week, there was a time trial obstacle course in order to promote the student mobile shop, Molly Malone. Molly was filled with playpen balls and participants had to wheel Miss Malone around the course in the fastest time possible, incurring a one second penalty for every ball which fell out. It was a windy and fun filled event with over twenty contestants and a total crowd of over a hundred students. It was free to enter and the winner left with a brand new digital camera with a time of 20 seconds. Congratulations to Chris Collier, our Molly Malone champion!

DkIT Student Enterprise would like to thank all the students who took part in the ‘Rookie Challenge’ this year as well as the ‘Molly Malone Time Trial’, we would also like to thank all our guest speakers, judges, photographers and of course the students and lecturers.

To keep up to date with everything else we have planned for the semester and to find out more about what free resources DkIT Student Enterprise offer the students find us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/dkitstudententerprise.

Phase 1 Open for applications  - Apply Now

Enterprise Platform Programme 2012

Since 2001, Dundalk Institute of Technology's Novation Enterprise Platform Programme (NEPP) has supported over 100 entrepreneurs in their quest for commercial success. A recent survey (Feb 2011) shows 64% are still in business with a cumulative turnover of in excess of €68 Million, continuing an upward trend.

The EPP offers Business Advice, Training and Mentoring to start-up and early stage entrepreneurs in the Knowledged Based and Technology Sectors.

EPP2012 is structured in 3 Phases:

Phase 1: (Max 30 promoters)

· Will determine the business case (feasibility)

· Delivered part time over six weeks

· Located in Invent DCU and the Regional Development Centre, DkIT

· Two programmes starting in February and March 2012

Phase 2: (10 – 12 promoters)

Will develop an investor ready Business Plan

6 Months full time commitment required

Intensive supports including training, mentoring, hot desking, etc.

€15,000 cash support for eligible projects.

Phase 3: (Max 8 Promoters)

Provides customised supports focused on Business Growth to help promoters acquire first clients, investment or enter export markets.

Some Participant Testimonials:

Colin O’Brien CleverClothesLine, Julianstown, Co. Meath (2006 Programme)

“The weather outside may turn frightful but don't worry - the clevercloseline has you covered”. So says Julianstown entrepreneur Colin O’Brien who started his business whilst participating on the NEPP programme based in DkIT. Colin’s product solves the problem of hanging freshly washed laundry out to dry in Ireland’s unpredictable weather, a device that deploys a cover over a rotary washing line at the first signs of rain.

Colin spoke of his time on the programme, "from concept to market NEPP has given me a terrific grounding in all aspects of the business from financial planning to marketing strategies to get a product to market”. CleverClothesLine was recently seen on Dragon’s Den and received an offer of investment from the Dragons.

Helen Bradley Lennon, GolfersDen, (2009 Programme)

Golf clubs, balls and golfing accessories have changed dramatically over the last twenty years due to improvements in technology and materials but one thing hasn’t improved during that period, and that is the average golfer’s handicap. Former Novation EPP participant and Golf Coach Helen Bradley Lennon has set about to correct this anomaly by developing a suite of applications using her Sports Science background, experience gained in Ireland’s Golf Training Academy and as an international golf coach.

With her business partner, Film Maker and Digital Media expert Damian Purcell they’ve just launched an on-line golfing tool GolfersDen which is currently number 1 position for sports related Apps in the iTunes store. As Helen puts it “the APP makes your iPhone the most essential tool in your golf bag. Golfers can improve their handicap, broaden their network and enjoy a new golfing experience. Simply put we shave shots off your handicap”.

Available for download in Ireland, Britain and the US, Lennon believes the main market for GolfersDen is China where 3000 golf courses are currently being built providing a huge appetite for golf products.

Speaking about the programme Helen stressed “the Novation Programme at DKIT gave me the know-how to develop a new and technically challenging SmartPhone business”.

Peter Smyth, RedMere, (2003 Programme)

A little over five years ago Peter Smyth set up Fingal-based RedMere. He had held a number of senior roles in Ireland and abroad having lived in Munich and previous to that in Portland, Oregon for a number of years. He felt the time was right for him to pursue the dream of forming his own technology business and in 2004 Peter joined the NEPP Programme in DkIT. Reflecting back on the programme Peter put it in perspective: “my participation on the NEPP programme was one of the seminal events in RedMere’s early development. It provided structure and an invaluable support network".

Since completing the programme RedMere went on to develop a new technology called Smart Cables, and are now riding the wave of video usage on iPad2, Android Smartphones and Gaming Consoles by allowing these devices to use HDTVs as larger external displays. Global customers today include Vizio, Monster, RadioShack and Buffalo. RedMere has also secured investment of more than $20 million from international venture capital funds and has operations in Fingal, Cork, the US, Japan and Taiwan.

Kieran Fitzpatrick Barracuda FX (2008 Programme)

Kieran Fitzpatrick, founder and CEO of Barracuda FX joined the Novation Enterprise Platform Programme in 2008. At that time he had a strong product vision and concept but had not yet developed a product or secured a customer. “Those nine months of support which the programme provided gave me the tools I needed to start and lead an international technology business. The support, guidance and belief from the programme team really helped to make it happen”.

Two short years later, Barracuda FX employs 20 people at the IFSC in Dublin and provides trading and risk management software solutions to international banks. Barracuda FX also won InterTrade Ireland’s Seedcorn competition in the High Growth section in 2010, a feat shared with two other former NEPP participants fellow Cavan man Sean Gallagher of SmartHomes and Deirdre MacCormack of Mcor Technologies.

Application Form and Overview can be downloaded here:

Application

Overview

For further details on the programme please contact:

Garrett Duffy

Enterprise Development Manager

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Tel: 042 9370400

Congratulations to Sligo manufacturing company and STS participant, O'Hara's Gutters, who has been recognised by Intertradeireland for its commitment to innovation after taking part in the all-island technology transfer programme, FUSION. Follow link below
http://www.sligochampion.ie/news/tubbercurry-firm-wins-intertradeireland-prize-3007836.html