DCU Ryan Academy to deliver start-up programme for experienced business professionals

DCU Ryan Academy for Entrepreneurs and Ireland’s Smart Ageing Exchange (ISAX) will deliver a business development programme for mature and highly experienced business professionals.

The programme forms part of new Enterprise Ireland competitive start fund targeted at experienced business professionals with 25 years or more of relevant business experience in Ireland or abroad, of which at least 10 years should be at a senior or leadership level.

Up to 10 successful applicants will receive high-level business development support and an investment of up to €50,000 each. Enterprise Ireland’s CSF is designed to accelerate the growth of start-ups and enable companies to reach key commercial and technical milestones.

As well as securing up to €50k in funding, the successful applicants will have the opportunity to participate in the business development programme. Delivered over three months by DCU Ryan Academy and ISAX, the programme will increase the capabilities of the participants and move them to investor-ready within a short period.

The fund is open to companies active in manufacturing and internationally traded services including Internet, Games, Apps, Mobile, SaaS, Cloud Computing, Enterprise Software, Lifesciences, Food, Cleantech and Industrial Products.

Eoghan Stack, Chief Executive, DCU Ryan Academy:

“DCU Ryan Academy for Entrepreneurs and Ireland's Smart Ageing Exchange (ISAX) are delighted to have been selected to work with Enterprise Ireland for the delivery of a start-up programme for Experienced Business Professionals and we welcome the recognition that this cohort of experienced professionals comes with a very cumulated industry expertise and life experience that is invaluable in creating ideal entrepreneurs.

ISAX and DCU Ryan Academy have together previously delivered successful business start-up programmes for mature entrepreneurs and this new programme will enable us to build on the success of previous programmes to enable early stage companies fast-track their business development”.

Anne Connolly, Founder & CEO of ISAX, added:

“ISAX believes that experienced professionals at the peak of their career have a wealth of talent and expertise, accumulated over a life-time of working across different sectors.  These are enormous assets to anyone setting up a business and the Accelerator programme will enable the ‘mature entrepreneur’ tap into their own experience, networks and life experiences, bringing them to bear on their new businesses. 

We know from our own research, that people over the age of 50 are only half as likely to think about setting up a business, but that when they do they experience high success rates.  This new programme is a very important contribution to building awareness of this opportunity and attracting a new source of talent into the world of entrepreneurship".

The CSF competition opens for applications on Wednesday 11 October 2017 and will close at 3pm on Wednesday 25 October 2017.

Full details are available at www.enterprise-ireland.com/csfexperiencedprofessionals