Simplifying the process of getting your business idea started

Wednesday, 08 December 2010 18:05

Mayo Ideas Lab has developed a new business idea evaluation service for the county. This inter-agency service is available to anyone with an idea that might create employment or economic benefit in Mayo. It's a simple process whereby you can submit your idea in confidence, have it evaluated by a panel of experts and get feedback on how it might be developed. They will let you know whether support might be available to help you get up and running and, if appropriate, they will offer an introduction to the

funding support agency most relevant to your area or sector.
"We are trying to simplify the process of getting starting with your idea," said Seamus McCormack, area manager for WESTBIC. "There is a lot of agency support out there to help you get a good idea off the ground, and we are trying to package that support to make it easily accessible to everyone."
There are two ways to submit your idea: either fill it in online at www.mayoideaslab.ie or fill in a hard copy of the form and send it by post to the Mayo Ideas Lab office in Belmullet.
Forms will be available from your nearest library, county council office, citizen's advice office, etc., from this week onwards. Once your form is received, a team of experts will review it and get back to you with feedback on how it might be developed.
Mayo Ideas Lab is a pilot project exploring new ways to support innovation and idea generation in the county, as John Magee, development expert with the Mayo County Development Board, explains. "With the Mayo Ideas Lab project, we are trying to harness people's natural creativity and innovation for the good of the local economy here in the county."
Even those people with ideas who might like to see them developed but don't have the time or inclination to develop them themselves are encouraged to use this process. Mayo Ideas Lab will examine these submissions with a view to sourcing relevant expertise to develop the ideas further.
"The best way out of this recession is through good ideas and we want to make sure that all good ideas get the support they need," said Sean O'Coisdealbha, regional development executive with Údarás na Gaeltachta.
The idea evaluation service is being carried out by representatives from Údarás na Gaeltachta, the Innovation in Business Centre (IiBC) at GMIT, South West Mayo Development Company Ltd., Mayo North East LEADER Partnership Company Ltd. and WESTBIC Business & Innovation Centre.
If you would like further information on the idea evaluation service, please contact Joan Fahey, Mayo Ideas Lab project manager, on (097) 27945 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or log on to www.mayoideaslab.ie.