Support Agencies
When starting your own business in Waterford City , there are a number of state agencies based in the City which offer a range of supports, including:
- Advice and information.
- Feasibility, capital, employment and R&D grants.
- Incubation space.
- Networking opportunities.
Waterford Chamber
Offers a variety of assistance to new businesses starting up:
- Networking opportunities to assist in finding customers and suppliers.
- Getting to know your market with the use of publications, events, introductions and referrals.
- Building your business profile using their monthly news letter and website member news section.
- The Chamber's online member environment "Business Village" allows members to promote their business to fellow members and to discuss business and social issues.
- Expand your business knowledge through attending Chamber events.
Contact:
Michael Garland, CEO
michael.garland@waterfordchamber.com
051 872639
www.waterfordchamber.com
Waterford City Enterprise Board
Assists enterprises that employ less than 10, with advice and information from the point when the entrepreneur is developing their idea to ‘Start your own business' programmes when it is time to turn that idea into a reality.
The Board also offers a range of financial supports from Employment and Capital grants for qualifying manufacturing and internationally traded service companies to mentoring, website development and export capability funding for our broader client base.
Contact:
Ciarán Cullen, Assistant CEO
ccullen@waterfordceb.com
051 877494
www.waterfordceb.com
South East Business & Innovation Centre (SEBIC)
The SEBIC supports innovative start ups and growth orientated small to medium size enterprises. The SEBIC team provide quality specialised business consultancy including business planning, finance, marketing, IT and strategy. The SEBIC also provides start of the art incubation space for start up companies.
Services provided:
- Concept development: feasibility / research / sounding board.
- Business acceleration: financial planning / technology and ICT / marketing / new product development.
- Incubation: office space/ infrastructure/ support.
- Networking: introduction to investors, government agencies, other entrepreneurs.
- EU Link through the European BIC Network and European Projects.
Contact:
Aidan Shine, Assistant CEO
ashine@sebic.ie
051 356300
www.sebic.ie
Enterprise Ireland (EI)
EI is the government agency responsible for the development of Irish owned enterprise. EI client companies fall into three main categories:
- Manufacturing and internationally traded services companies employing ten or more employees.
- Innovation led start ups with the potential to grow on international markets.
- Irish based food and natural resource companies that are overseas owned or controlled.
Services provided:
- Training, advice and mentoring.
- Funding for pre-start, high potential start up companies and development.
- Research and development supports.
- Community Enterprise Centres.
Contact:
Mary McEvoy, Senior Regional Development Officer
mary.mcevoy@enterprise-ireland.com
051 333500
www.enterprise-ireland.com
Waterford City Council
Works to support economic development through the provision of physical infrastructure such as roads, water and sewerage treatment. In addition, the Waterford City Development Plan 2007-2013 provides the policy framework that will guide development decisions in the City over the period of the plan.
One of the strategic aims is to promote balanced and sustainable economic development and employment by ensuring that a diverse range of economic sectors are developed. The Waterford City Development Plan contains details of key opportunity sites which have been identified for redevelopment in the City, provision of a strategic development site to attract foreign direct investment and plans for the future economic development of Waterford City.
Waterford City Council actively works with the other economic development agencies in the City to make Waterford City an attractive location to invest in or to set up a business in.
Waterford City Library Services offers a Business Information Service which gives access to business books, magazines, newspapers, online business databases and references which are an invaluable free resource when considering setting up a business.
Contact:
Lisa Grant, Economic Development Officer
lgrant@waterfordcity.ie
051 849709
www.waterfordcity.ie
Centre for Enterprise Development & Regional Economy (CEDRE)
The Centre for Enterprise Development & Regional Economy, School of Business at Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) is one of the conduits of WIT's mission to be a major contributor to the economic growth and development of Ireland's South East Region. With extensive expertise amongst its academic and research staff, in a wide range of disciplines, WIT is well resourced to be a key force in supporting, promoting and developing entrepreneurship in the region.
CEDRE brings this expertise together in an open, flexible and collegiate manner. It provides a framework and environment for entrepreneurs, researchers, academics and policy makers/ implementers to engage in a mutually complementary manner to support economic growth and development in the region.
CEDRE provides support for start-up and developing businesses through the provision of enterprise programmes and research in related areas. These programmes include the South East Enterprise Platform Programme (SEEPP) and the Postgraduate Diploma in Enterprise Development for Enterprise Managers.
The Centre manages a number of programmes designed to assist business people establish new ventures and start-ups internationally. Existing programmes include:
- South East Enterprise Platform Programme (SEEPP) www.seepp.ie is a one year start-up enterprise support programme managed by WIT School of Business in conjunction with programme partners in Enterprise Ireland and Tipperary Institute. The SEEPP is aimed at those with innovative business ideas, who are considering starting a business in the South East of Ireland. The programme has in the past support 140 projects as diverse as new technology based products/ concepts, pioneering medical components/ devices and original food products - the main criteria is that the concept is innovative..
- Female Entrepreneurship Ireland Wales (FEIW) www.whysofew.com is a tailor made course for women in business. It considers the issues that women face when running and growing their businesses such as access to advice and funding, accessing new markets, dealing with staff issues, developing contacts and managing work/life balance.
These programmes help participants to develop investment ready business plans and connect participants with sources of funding.
The Centre is focused on:
- High potential start ups (HPSUs)
- Clustering of related businesses and services
- Enterpreneurial regions
- Regional Innovation Clusters (RICs)
- Social entrepreneurship
- Regional economy
The overriding objective of CEDRE is the development of entrepreneurship education and research. In educating and developing entrepreneurs and business owners, as well as policy makers and business advisors, the Centre positions itself at the forefront of entrepreneurial activity in the region.
Contact:
Eugene Crehan, Head of Programmes
ecrehan@wit.ie
051 302953
http://www.wit.ie/SchoolsDepartments/SchoolofBusiness/CFE/
Waterford Area Partnership
Provides supports to individuals setting up a business, primarily focusing on the unemployed or those who have been made redundant.
Services provided:
- Help developing your business idea.
- Assistance with developing your Business Plan.
- Business Training Workshops in areas such as basic book keeping, marketing and pricing skills, dealing with taxation and PRSI, customer care and networking.
- Mentoring once your business is up and running.
- Back up support.
- Opportunity to advertise free on Waterford Area Partnership's website.
- Interest free loans.
- Some grant aid is also available.
Contact:
Joe Kelly, Enterprise Officer
joekelly@wap.ie
051 841740
www.wap.ie
For further information on the supports offered by each of these agencies, please contact them directly or read Chapter 4 Support Agencies in A Guide to Starting Your Own Business in Waterford City.