Enterprise Ireland’s recently launched Global Irish Contacts Programme is already gaining significant traction in bringing successful Irish expatriates in contact with growing Irish businesses. This newly introduced programme could play a key role in the Irish road to economic recovery.

The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Report published this week shows that there has been an increase in early stage entrepreneurial activity in 2011 with approximately 2,200 enterprising individuals setting up a new business each month.

Footballer turned entrepreneur, Niall Quinn launched the IT’s Happening Here initiative to promote career opportunities in the Irish-owned software sector, where around 1,500 vacancies are waiting to be filled. IT’s Happening Here is targeting software professionals both at home and overseas and offers creative, dynamic positions with multiple responsibilities in Ireland’s home-grown software industry.

The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD this week named the 30 successful companies that have recently been awarded funding under Enterprise Ireland’s Competitive Start Fund. He also announced a new call for applicants to the fund.

Save this date in your calendar, you don’t want to miss it! Ireland’s latest technologies will be pitching to the investor community on the 28th of November at The Big Ideas Showcase organised and sponsored by Enterprise Ireland.

Mayo Ideas Week is an annual event consisting of a series of idea generation, entrepreneurship and business events hosted by the development and enterprise support agencies in County Mayo. Mayo Ideas Week events consist of seminars and workshops to suit those already in business as well as those thinking of taking the plunge.

Irish companies are making waves on the international scene. Two Enterprise Ireland High Potential Start-Ups, Sonru and B-Smark, have just recently been recognised in global competitions for their innovative thinking.

Ireland had five medalists at the London Games this summer and sixteen at the Paralympic Games. But the athletes were not the only winners in 2012. Irish construction firms also struck Olympic gold worth well over €250 Million in contracts related to the London Olympics 2012.

Figures for the first half of this year prove optimistic, showing the number of Enterprise Ireland High-Potential Start-Up companies up 26% and jobs up 20% on same period last year. Every issue of our Newsletter profiles one of these new exciting start-ups. Today it's time for Connectedtrips.com