The Local Enterprise Offices in Mayo have announced the roll out of a new programme to help ambitious business owners develop their enterprises. The iFactory West Programme is an ideal opportunity for eligible micro and small businesses to receive professional analysis, coaching, and access to experts that will work with them to deliver their growth plans.
The hands-on programme builds on the success of the original iFactory programme in the Border counties and Northern Ireland, where 150 participants were supported to grow their businesses. Key successes included the development of new products and services, increased turnover and exports, and the securing of more than €1.2m of additional business-growth finance by participating businesses.
Suitable enterprises were referred to Enterprise Ireland and other enterprise agencies to receive additional upscaling support. In the West region, for a small commitment of just €200 (plus VAT ) a tailored support package will be provided to 30 enterprises that have ambitions and potential to grow, with up to 10 days of professional guidance and hands-on expertise, including: Business Audits and Analysis; Individual Action Plans for Growth; Innovation and Growth Coaching, including exploring new markets; Specialist consulting to meet specific needs; Signposting of further support services to facilitate further innovation and growth potential.
Speaking at the project launch John Magee, the acting head of Mayo Local Enterprise Office, described the initiative as, “very practical and hands-on. This programme offers companies an opportunity to develop ambitious growth plans and avenues. Crucially, it also provides them with the expertise to deliver on these plans. Each participating company will be helped to identify growth and export opportunities and then helped to exploit these opportunities.If you really want to scale and grow your business then this is an exciting programme for you.”
The iFactory project is part of the West Region Action Plan for Jobs and is funded under the LEO Competitive Fund and delivered by Mayo, Galway and Roscommon Local Enterprise Offices in association with WestBIC and other enterprise and innovation stakeholders. The first cohort of participants is now being recruited. For further information, eligibility criteria, and an expression of interest form contact Seamus McCormack, WestBIC via emial at [email protected] or by telephone at (086 ) 2574978.
