FEATURE ARTICLE
Creative Expo will be international launchpad for fashion, craft and design companies
Sunday Independent
by Sunday Independent
 
Sunday Independent: Retail buyers from Ireland and more than 20 other countries, including the UK, USA, mainland Europe and the Far East, will attend Showcase, Ireland's International Creative Expo, in the RDS. The four day trade event starts next Sunday.
Enterprise Ireland plan puts innovation at top of growth agenda
 
Irish Times: Enterprise Ireland’s new corporate strategy, launched last week, has set a target of increasing the annual spend on research and development by Irish enterprise to €1.25 billion by 2020
INDUSTRY NEWS
Enterprise Ireland launches €750,000 fund for start-ups
Irish Times
 
Early stage companies across all industries can apply for up to €50,000 in equity to grow their business. Applications will be accepted from January 25th to February 8th.
Steeltech Sheds announces €5 million investment and new jobs for Tuam, County Galway
 
Galway based steel shed manufacturing company, Steeltech Sheds Ltd, today announced a major investment of €5million over the next three years and 43 new jobs in the next 12 months.

Galway based steel shed manufacturing company, Steeltech Sheds Ltd., today announced a major investment of €5million over the next three years and 43 new jobs in the next 12 months. The expansion is due to the major growth of the company domestically in the last year, following the creation of 50 Jobs in 2016 and the decision to further expand and export into the UK Market.

Headquartered in Tuam, Steeltech’s business involves the design, manufacture, delivery and installation of garden sheds, workshops, home offices, garages, garden rooms, garden studios and chalets. All products are made from steel and custom made on request.

The €5million investment over the next three years by the company will see funding in capital, people, IT, innovation, R&D and sales and marketing allowing Steeltech Sheds to scale significantly over the next five to ten years.

Speaking at the announcement in Tuam today, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation Mary Mitchell O’Connor TD, said: “As Minister my priority is to ensure an environment exists that nurtures development and job growth across the country and in particular the regions of Ireland. Today’s investment announcement by Steeltech Sheds, with the support of Enterprise Ireland, creating over 40 jobs here in Tuam is hugely welcome and of great significance to the local economy. Galway is a region with valuable resources, infrastructure and community – all the fundamentals required to scale a successful business. I warmly congratulate all the Steeltech team and wish them every success for the future.”

Sean Brett, Founder & CEO of Steeltech Sheds Ltd., said “This is a very exciting time for Steeltech Sheds. Since relocation to the new Tuam manufacturing plant in 2015, we have increased productivity by 90 percent, created 50 new jobs in 2016, and have expanded our export reach and operations into the UK and Northern Ireland market.

"Over the last three months, we have set up sales show rooms in five locations in the UK and all manufacturing from UK sales will take please here in Tuam. Steeltech is thankful for the support Enterprise Ireland has given to date and I look forward to working with them as we expand and grow in the UK and Europe,” he continued.

Barry Egan, Director, West Region, Enterprise Ireland said: “Enterprise Ireland has worked closely with Steeltech over the past year and seen first-hand how the company has gone from strength-to-strength in a relatively short time period. This is a great example of how a rural location like Tuam can become home to a thriving business with the drive, commitment and global ambition to create 50 local jobs within a year with over 40 more to follow. Enterprise Ireland looks forward to continuing to support Steeltech as they enter into new markets and continue to scale creating jobs here in the West of Ireland.”

Enterprise Ireland exceeds three-year job creation target
Irish Examiner
 

Enterprise Ireland has exceeded its three-year target of creating 40,000 jobs. Since 2013, over 45,592 new full-time jobs were announced, with almost two-thirds of the jobs located outside Dublin.


ProU hopes to fortify yoghurt market
Irish Examiner
 
Aiding his elderly mother inspired entrepreneur Micheal Murphy to create ProU, a fortified yoghurt containing protein, vitamin D and calcium.
Some of Ireland's leading agricultural companies head for UK farm machinery show
Irish Independent
 
Those heading across the water to the LAMMA machinery show in England next week will be able to meet some of Ireland's leading agricultural companies who are being supported by Enterprise Ireland.
Canadian backing for Galway start-up
Irish Independent
 
Canadian property group Camgill inject €150,000 into Superpixel Labs - the investment is small but possibly hints at the Canadian company's aspirations of expanding its footprint in Ireland.
Competitive Start Fund can be a turning point for start-ups
Silicon Republic
 
At the launch of Enterprise Ireland's strategy last week, Silicon Republic talked to start-ups who have received support through the Competitive Start Fund, including OnePageCRM and TippyTalk.
SpecSep product with origins in South African diamond mine
The Irish Times
 
Recently approved for Enterprise Ireland's Competitive Start Fund, SpecSep aims to reduce costs and improve valuable mineral recovery more efficiently.
Competitive Start Fund takes Way2Pay to new level

The €50,000 Competitive Start Fund was a huge boost for Way2Pay, bringing the business to the next level according to founder Denise O'Grady. Enterprise Ireland's all sector €750,000 Competitive Start Fund opens for applications on 25th January and closes on 8th February.

Competitive Start Fund takes business to new level #GlobalAmbition


Diary Date
 

Med in Ireland 2017 will take place in the RDS, Dublin on Thursday 19th October 2017 


UPCOMING EVENTS
19 Jan: Customer Value Proposition workshop, Dublin
22-25 Jan: Showcase Ireland 2017, Dublin
24 Jan: European Financial Forum, Dublin
15-16 Feb: Dublin Tech Summit, Dublin
Newsletter Marketing Powered by Newsweaver