Returned emigrants urged to join business programme

AN initiative to help returning emigrants start and develop businesses in Ireland is looking for participants from Mayo to apply before the deadline of Friday, January 25.

The Back for Business entrepreneur mentoring programme runs over six months and there is no charge for those selected to participate.

It is funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and was launched before Christmas by Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development Ciarán Cannon.

The programme was run on a pilot basis last year to support entrepreneurial activity among those recently returned or planning to return to live and set up business in Ireland. The call is open for applications for the 2019 programme, which will run from February to July 2019.

One past participant is Janet O’Rourke from All Star Heating Ltd., which is based in Claremorris, and she would urge others to apply for the programme. All Star Heating has a range of heating products from stoves and fireplaces to eco fuel and accessories.

“This programme is ideal for bringing you back to basics, back to re-focus and be exposed to a wealth of experienced entrepreneurs. You will also benefit from making like-minded friends,” says Janet.

Back for Business is specifically designed for recently returned emigrants who have lived abroad for at least a year and have returned in the last three years. Those planning to return in the near future will also be considered.

Those interested in learning more can download a brochure and register their interest in receiving an application form from www.backforbusiness.com.

Many potential entrepreneurs returning home can often bring with them significant advantages of starting a business such as a strong network of international contacts, proficiency in foreign languages and a greater understanding of export markets.

However, these men and women can also have gaps in their local knowledge, contact base and professional and personal backgrounds. Back for Business is designed to bridge these gaps, while also addressing the general challenges all entrepreneurs face when establishing a business.

Last year, the 38 participants on the pilot programme, which ran from November 2017 to May 2018, reported positive results on the programme:

At the end of the six months programme over half of them were trading;

Six had become exporters for the first time;

46 people were employed between them;

100% said they would recommend the programme to others.

 

Those selected to join Back for Business this year will take part in round table sessions, focused on goals and milestones and facilitated by voluntary lead entrepreneurs, who have experience of successfully starting and growing a business.

These high-profile business leaders volunteer their time to encourage participants to set and achieve personalised goals and milestones to address the opportunities and challenges they face in starting and developing their businesses.

This year’s lead entrepreneurs are Áine Denn, co-founder of Altify; Julie Currid, co-founder of Initiafy; technology entrepreneur and angel investor Mary McKenna; Micheal Hoyne, founder of Merlyn Bathrooms; Nikki Evans, founder of PerfectCard; and Thomas Ennis, founder of the Thomas Ennis Group.

The deadline for completed applications for Back to Business is January 25. For more information or to register your interest in receiving an application form, please see www.backforbusiness.com.