If you have recently returned to Mayo and are setting up a new business - or are living abroad and thinking of returning home with a great idea you want to get off the ground – then Back for Business could be for you.
Back for Business is a development programme, funded from the Government’s Emigrant Support Programme, that was established to foster and support entrepreneurial activity among emigrants returning to live in Ireland.
It is aimed at those who have lived abroad for at least a year and have returned in the last three years or those planning to return in the near future.
It was launched earlier this month by Colm Brophy TD, Minister of State for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora, and now the programme is looking for applications for the 2022 programme from those living in or hoping to return to Mayo.
There is no charge for those selected to participate and the closing date for applications is Tuesday, February 15, 2022. The programme will run from the end of February to June 2022.
This is the fifth year of Back for Business. The support initiative addresses the challenges that all early-stage entrepreneurs encounter, but also focuses on the additional barriers faced by those who have been living outside Ireland for some years.
Back for Business stated: "Their personal and professional networks in Ireland have weakened since they have been abroad and their knowledge of the entrepreneurial eco system is not well developed.
"Participants on last year’s programme more than tripled their combined workforce and more than doubled their turnover during the six-month cycle of the programme – despite the restrictions placed on businesses as a result of the Covid pandemic.
"There are places for up to 50 entrepreneurs to participate in Back for Business 5. Those interested in learning more can download a brochure and register their interest in receiving an application form by visiting www.backforbusiness.com "Those selected to join Back for Business 5 will take part in round table sessions, focused on goals and milestones, which are facilitated by voluntary Lead Entrepreneurs, who have experience of successfully starting and growing a business.
"The Lead Entrepreneurs, who participate in a voluntary capacity, are the backbone of the Back for Business initiative. This year’s Lead Entrepreneurs are: Áine Denn, co-founder and formerly of Altify; Heather Reynolds, co-founder and formerly of Eishtec; Paul Duggan of The Gardiner Group; Seamus Reilly, co- founder and formerly of Critical Healthcare; and Thomas Ennis, founder of the Thomas Ennis Group.
"A Back for Business Community is also being formed for previous participants, who will be offered workshops, review round tables and an annual Community Forum.
"Former participants from Mayo include Rosie Joyce of The Habit Store which is Castlebar’s first minimal waste store helping you to reduce your single-use plastic consumption. The concept is that customers bring their own containers to refill from the range of products in store. Rosie, who lived and worked in Australia for ten years and the UK for two years before returning to Ireland in 2020, took part in the fourth cycle of Back for Business. Having experienced at first hand the benefits of participation in Back for Business, Rosie encourages others to apply for the programme."
Rosie said: "When I started, I thought I might have a shop in three years time and the fact that we have the keys nine months in is incredible. The group gave me the confidence and the bigger picture thinking to start planning a little bit quicker and a little bit bigger."
Back for Business has been designed and is being implemented by Fitzsimons Consulting, specialists in areas related to entrepreneurship and growth. The deadline for completed applications is Tuesday, February 15, 2022. For more information or to register your interest in receiving an application form, see www.backforbusiness.com
