The Competitive Start Fund enabled Ian Nolan to complete the initial builds of the Brightflag platform. CEO and founder, Ian Nolan outlines his top tips for applying for the fund.

Sunday Independent: There are areas of innovation we excel at in Ireland and results that prove it. At 13pc, Ireland has one of the highest success rates for the Horizon 2020 SME Instrument in Europe, compared to the EU average of 6pc. 

New business opportunities are set to open up to the Gulf region - already the second-most important long-haul market after North America out of Ireland - following a key decision by the Irish authorities.

Irish medtech start-up Neuromod has hired a top global researcher as it looks to commercialise a device to help patients suffering with tinnitus – a chronic and, at times, debilitating ringing, clicking or buzzing in the ears.

Irish internet of things start-up Over-C is planning to make a major splash in Europe with the signing of two partnerships with major Dutch firms.

West Cork manufacturer Ceramicx has got 2018 off to a good start by opening an extension which has doubled the size of its facility to 44,000sq ft, and by picking up a Project Exemplar award from InterTradeIreland.

Over 5000 Irish and international buyers arrived at Showcase 2018 last week - RTE's Nationwide team was there to soak up the best of Irish design and craft which will be on sale around the world in the coming year.

The scheme will provide affordable flexible working capital financing to Irish SMEs and mid-caps that are either currently impacted by Brexit, or who will be in the coming period.

As Europe excels at deep tech, we highlight 20 start-ups to watch in 2018 in the areas of AI, enterprise and SaaS technology.

Co founder and chief executive Shane Brett said that the funding from tech investors COSIMO Ventures is a major boost for the company which has its headquarters in the Regional Development Centre on the DkIT campus.

Getting state funding for your company can be frustrating. In the latest instalment of his startup diary, Metsitaba founder Richard Rodger shares the things he has learned from the world of applying for grant aid.

The Halo Business Angel Network has announced its first overseas partnership with the New York-based Digital Irish Angels (DIA) Syndicate. 

William Fry hosted the final of the Lead Entrepreneur Award 2017, crowning Matt Hanbury from Lightly Technologies winner of the €3,000 prize.

This is the first of a series of breakfast workshops to demystify, educate and engage businesses on the island around public procurement, a market worth in the region of €12bn per annum.

Geoscience Ireland has announced the commencement of the ‘Geo-Energy for the 21st Century' project which aims to enhance European geo-energy SMEs performance and competitiveness, in all industries which utilise subsurface energy.

Enterprise Ireland clients at Showcase - Ireland’s Creative Expo 2018