Enterprise Ireland are deadly

[irishpeoplearewhingers]

Just saw their annual report and accounts. They have been making excellent progress, and exports from domestic firms, though small, are growing more quickly than in many East Asian economies.
The highlights:
-Exports by domestic firms up over 12% (exports to Asia up by 24.1%) to over 11.7 billion
-Software services, life sciences and food lead the way
- 601 companies invested €100,000 or more in R&D projects,40 spent €2 million+
-Net job creation in client companies up by 1,261

This agency seems to get results, and we will need more of the same if we are to move beyond what we currently are- a rich developing nation. I hope all parties will agree that building up indigenous exporters in high-value sectors is a matter of national priority, and I hope that all parties will set aside time to come up with imaginative policies in this regard. No matter who is in power, we are all shagged unless we get this right.

More details:
http://www.finfacts.com/irelandbusiness ... 0628.shtml

[HanleyS]

Yep. I love EI too. They recently gave me a big cheque too.

[CookieMonster]

I'm a fan of Enterprise Ireland too. I applied for a job with them but they were having none of it. So that proves they know what they're at!

[irishpeoplearewhingers]

Yep. I love EI too. They recently gave me a big cheque too.

So it worked out? Well done.

[Wolverine]

Just shows the vital role the state plays in the Irish Economy.

[irishpeoplearewhingers]

Just shows the vital role the state plays in the Irish Economy.

I am glad you pointed that out, because it is unfashionable in this anti-state age. Globalization has made the state more and not less important. The state can help companies penetrate foreign markets, access the best technology, attract capital for expansion, proivide start-up grants for infant industries, create the correct R&D infrastructure, organize training, assist in the development and commercialization of technology, develop local suppliers, provide tax-incentives for desireable outcomes.....the list goes on....The important thing though is that the state should mostly be an enabler of entrepreneurs that makes decisions on the basis of seeking a return on its investment, rather than some sort of protectionist anachronism that shovels money into white elephants.

[meriwether]

I attended a EI event recently, and the spread at dinner time was superb.
Congrats to all at EI, and continued success for you and your caterers.

[bobbysands81]

*delete*

[bobbysands81]

I'm a fan of Enterprise Ireland too. I applied for a job with them but they were having none of it. So that proves they know what they're at!

They offered me a job but I turned it down.

[Rebelman]

Being a non jackeen the title threw me. I assumed they were releasing toxic gas or something.

It has been my experience dealing with EI over the last while they have buckets of money to give out if people can put together sensible proposals. Their grant claims procedure is not half as bureacratic as it used be and they are very open to grant aiding R & D and capex. Their website is excellent and goes into great detail about what you need to do.