From September 2012, the following companies took part in an intensive programme comprising business training on key essential areas like marketing, business planning, finance and market research. Business coaching and personal development were also offered, along with expert mentoring and all the benefits of working within the supportive environment of the centre and its people.

• Alan Taylor Alan Taylor IT Consulting
• Levente & Attila Magyar MAMUKKO
• Barry Cafferkey Prohome.ie
• Con Finucane Oscon Telecom
• Dave O’Byrne Democratic Apps
• David & Aiden O ‘Brien The Workshop Tearoom
• James Hickey Carving Mad
• Joan Twomey The Lakes Tour
• Oliver Leamy On the Margins
• Rashika Kahapola Arachchige The Living Art Gallery
• Siobhan Duggan Siobhan Duggan Artist
• Deirdre O’Shea English Adventures Ireland

This will be a really positive event and aims to highlight Cork’s small business success stories. All are welcome to attend. Please rsvp to ccostello@macroom-e.com

Taking place from 10th – 12th April at the Rochestown Park Hotel, CORKMEET 2013 is set to be the biggest business networking event in Cork this year. It is open to Irish and international small and medium sized businesses from all sectors looking to expand into new markets or find a new partner.

The three day event comprises pre-scheduled one-to-one meetings in a speed networking format, a gourmet picnic, an afternoon conference on Wednesday 10th April and a gala dinner in Curraheen Park Greyhound Stadium.

Eileen Moylan of Claddagh Design (participant on the 2011/12 programme) not only won the top jewelry prize but also scooped the Best Product Award at Showcase 2013 for her beautiful contemporary take on the traditional Claddagh Ring.

Showcase is Ireland’s Creative Expo. Held at Dublin’s RDS and now in its 37th year, Showcase, as the name suggests, showcases Ireland’s unique, design-led products in fashion, knitwear, crafts, gifts and home accessories.

Meanwhile, current participants Attila & Levante Magyar of Mamukko have caught the media’s attention with their Eco Friendly Designer Bags. The Irish Times highlighted the company in their recent New Innovator piece.

Attila Magyar, Mamukko Designer Bags at Showcase 2013

The LAMA Awards 2013 in association with IPB Insurance, highlight and recognise community and councils together, bringing national recognition to projects and developments that may otherwise go unrecognnised. Town, Burough, City and County councillors nominate projects across 24 categories that demonstrate the work implemented through unique projects that enhance their local area for the good of the community.

The category winners will be announced at the Awards ceremony on January 26^th 2013 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Santry,Dublin hosted by RTÉ’s Miriam O’Callaghan.

Startup of the Day: Democratic Apps

 Click to read the full article

Guests at the event were welcomed by Mayor of Macroom Cllr Tom Counihan and Mayor of the County Cllr Tim Lombard. The full house was entertained by Greenshoots the Movie  after which Eileen Moylan of Claddagh Design gave an insight into participating in the programme. Chairperson of Macroom E and head of Economic Development at Cork County Council Mr Ger Power thanked everyone involved, including fellow sponsor South Cork Enterprise Board and declared Greenshoots 2013 officially open to applicants. The event concluded with a key note speech from Mr Bill Liao who motivated and inspired with his top tips for success and left everyone feeling very positive about the future.

Anyone with a good business idea or a business less than five years old can apply for a place on the next programme, due to begin in September 2012. Click on How to Apply above for more details and an application form.

If you have a business idea to develop, an already established business (less than five years old) to grow or change direction with, the Greenshoots Programme may be just what you’re looking for to help you get off the ground! Extensive training workshops, expert mentors, business coaching, access to a network of peer entrepreneurs and support agencies and advice from successfully established business owners will all help fast forward your road to success.

Download an application from the ‘how to apply’ page above or give us a call to discuss it a little more.

Bill Liao

We are delighted to welcome well known entrepreneur Bill Liao as our guest speaker at the Greenshoots Awards & Launch on Wednesday 6th June.

Diplomat, investor, entrepreneur, business mentor, speaker, philanthropist and author, Bill Liao co-founded the business social network service XING and is a venture partner at SOS Ventures, a global venture capital firm and investment management firm. Bill is a special diplomatic envoy for St Kitts and Nevis for sustainable development and the environment. He is also the founder of WeForest.org, an international not-for-profit organization combating global warming in the most natural way possible by sustainably and holistically reforesting previously degraded land – the organisation is approaching planting it’s millionth tree. Bill is also the Co-Founder of the Coder Dojo movement to assist young people to learn how to program.

Bill is dedicated to the vision that business and enterprise, both commercial and social, conducted fairly and with respect for the environment, can and will create a better environment for work, life and the world that we all share. This vision is captured in his book: Stone Soup; a Secret Recipe for Making Something from Nothing.

Additionally, Bill is a regular speaker at conferences and seminars speaking on social media and networking, entrepreneurship, how to make something from nothing, global warming and sustainability and development.  Events he has spoken at include TED at Long Beach California, The Globe Forum in Stockholm Sweden, The London School of Economics and many others.

What a perfect fit to celebrate the ten wonderful 2012 Greenshoots business people and invite applications for the 2013 Greenshoots Programme!!!

Click to register for this event