21 June 2016
By Bryan Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
This year, 11 new businesses are participating in the Greenshoots Emerging Entrepreneurs Programme in Macroom E Enterprise Centre in Macroom, Co. Cork. The programme is supported by Cork County Council and the Local Enterprise Offices in Cork. Now in its sixth year, Greenshoots works closely with selected entrepreneurs and helps them to prepare their businesses for the commercial world. The programme supports entrepreneurs through the initial stages of setting up a business. Key training and support is provided in the form of workshops, expert mentoring sessions, links with local and national enterprise agencies and group brainstorming sessions.
Since its inception in 2010, the Greenshoots programme has supported the launch of 64 new businesses, with almost 80% remaining in business to the present day. The programme is funded by the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) in Cork and the Economic Development Section of Cork County Council. The Greenshoots programme provides comprehensive business training, mentoring, guidance and a tool kit to navigate through the challenges faced by budding entrepreneurs. The programme is managed by and hosted at Macroom E Enterprise Centre, a supportive and innovative hub for business incubation with facilities including hot desks, lots of peer support, and access to various bodies and enterprise development agencies.
Micheal Mulligan Mulligan & Associates Coaching , Aileen O’Connor HeritageWorks, Judy Ratliff Jude’s Chocolates, Marion Kiely Upstream Health Safety ,Eilbhe Donovan Quaking Grass studio , Wellness systems, Grace Harding The Idyle ,Catherine Costello Macroom e Business Centre , Cara Tremayne Roll Out Garden, Pana Swanton Sales App, Don O’Herlihy Wind Up dog Animation and Geraldine Quinlan Aurora Natural Skincare. Picture by Gerard McCarthy.
The 2016 “Shoots” are developing a broad range of businesses in areas like heritage, the arts, health & safety, horticulture, natural skincare, professional development, wellness travel, and app development. “Greenshoots has been invaluable in this formative stage of our business, the wealth of expertise and knowledge made available to us has been outstanding. Macroom E has developed an exceptional programme for emerging entrepreneurs here in Cork” said Naomi Smith from Cork Photo, one of the 2016 Greenshoots participants.
“The Greenshoots programme always attracts interesting and diverse businesses with a drive to succeed. This year’s group is no different, with everything from handmade chocolate and animation, to natural skincare and photography; the positivity and energy amongst the 11 business owners is palpable and I have no doubt that we will see great success stories over the coming months and years. Watch this space!” said Catherine Costello, Programme Manager.
