SMEs – Fortnightly Wrap Up
An update for SMEs on events and grants announced in the last fortnight.
SMEs – Fortnightly Wrap Up
Fortnight commencing 28th May 2021
Welcome to the latest edition of the WMC “Fortnightly Wrap Up” blog.
We have collated information on various supports and new developments, that we hope will be of interest to you.
WMC is an Irish management consultancy bringing strategic, financial, funding and commercial expertise to SMEs when they need it. Feel free to contact us to see how we can assist you today.
GRANTS & SUPPORTS
Enterprise Ireland’s have many offerings to support business we have highlighted 5 here:
· Spotlight on Skills programme is now open for applications – this programme will allow you to develop a company-wide skills plan. Strategic Programmes
· New portal for entrepreneurs, no matter what stage you are on your journey it will give you a summary of all the supports available. It is an easy to use tool. StartUp Portal
· Excel at Growth - Building an Innovation Culture to build a future. There will be workshops held in June, Wednesday 2nd June and Thursday 24th June, 2021. excel-at-growth workshops
· Enterprise Ireland’s Series of Webinars on doing business abroad – these offer an insight in to the practicalities of doing business abroad. In June there will be 3 webinars looking at Free Trade Agreements and doing business in these export markets: Japan, Mexico and South Korea. Globalambition webinars
· Enterprise Ireland’s Strategic planning grant is available to help you plan a new strategy. Enterprise Ireland Grant
FUNDING
The Banking and Payments Federation of Ireland have launched a new guide SME Banking Supports – through COVID Recovery and Beyond and have put a recorded webinar on their site to help SMEs navigate the banking supports available. Both are available here.
Microfinance Ireland continue to have micro loans available for smaller enterprises - Business Loans Packages | Loan Packages From Microfinance Ireland
Invoice Fair are administering the Covid 19 Credit Guarantee Scheme - COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme - InvoiceFair. They offer up to €1m with funds released within 24 hours of approval.
The Department of Finance announced the Business Resumption Support Scheme (BRSS) which will be available from September 2021 and will offer cash to vulnerable but viable businesses.
The next phase of Fáilte Ireland’s programme of Strategic Tourism Business Continuity funding is open for applications. The Strategic Tourism Business Continuity Scheme ‘Phase One Plus’ is a continuation of the earlier Phase One Scheme and will further support those businesses who have been unable to qualify for assistance under the Government’s Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), or who have received CRSS for only a portion of their business activity. Full details are found here.
REGULATION & COMPLIANCE
DLA Piper have prepared a quick survey for you to complete and see if your organisation is compliant with the latest Irish employment law developments. You will find the survey here.
EU ARC was set up to provide guidance to SMEs on GDPR. Are you up to date on your GDPR policies and procedures? The ARC is running a survey for you to have your say. https://arc-rec-project.eu/survey-on-the-challenges-faced-by-smes-in-their-efforts-to-comply-with-the-gdpr/
FOOD INDUSTRY
There is a Meet the buyer event being run by Enterprise Europe Network and LEO’s on 9th June 2021 – for further details see Food eirEEN Virtual Meet the Buyer & Matchmaking Event 2021 - Home (b2match.io)
Teagasc are running a series of workshops focusing on food innovation, these are virtual events. Food Industry Training - Teagasc | Agriculture and Food Development Authority
FOOD INDUSTRY
Bord Bia launched their Readiness radar on 9th June 2021, a recording of the launch and the report itself can be found at Bord Bia Readiness Radar. It includes some very interesting insights and highlights some of the key challenges facing the industry.
Enterprise Ireland have established Irish Food Tech, which facilitates your access to the seven specialised centres across the Gateway Cluster, aiding and support in delivering near-to-market solutions and becoming an important extension of your company’s R&D capability. For further details see their website.
Teagasc are running a series of workshops focusing on food innovation, these are virtual events. Food Industry Training - Teagasc | Agriculture and Food Development Authority
OTHER ITEMS
Cyber Crime is now to the forefront of our minds. ISME have a recent blog on the topic Cybercrime Prevention particularly important for Irish SMEs - ISME. I would urge all SMEs to act now to protect your business – our business was attacked once, no money was requested but the damage done was very costly.
SFA – Small Firms Association Have a list Webinars and upcoming events on their website - Webinars | SFA Ireland
CONTACT US
For further guidance on how to avail of all the supports your business is eligible for, contact us at info@walshemanagementconsultants.ie