CÉIM Programme Celebrates 5 Years of Success
CÉIM Participants Project Creation of up to 250 Jobs by 2011
LETTERKENNY & SLIGO, OCTOBER 29, 2009 –12 participants from the
2008-2009 CÉIM programme recently received certificates for
successfully completing the one year enterprise development and
training programme developed and offered by Letterkenny Institute of
Technology (LYIT) and the Institute of Technology Sligo (IT Sligo).
The CÉIM programme offers high quality training, networking
opportunities, mentoring services and business incubation space to
people with innovative ideas that have high commercial and export
potential. The event was also attended by participants of 2009/2010
CÉIM programme.
2008-2009 CÉIM programme recently received certificates for
successfully completing the one year enterprise development and
training programme developed and offered by Letterkenny Institute of
Technology (LYIT) and the Institute of Technology Sligo (IT Sligo).
The CÉIM programme offers high quality training, networking
opportunities, mentoring services and business incubation space to
people with innovative ideas that have high commercial and export
potential. The event was also attended by participants of 2009/2010
CÉIM programme.
Since its inception in 2004, the CÉIM programme has supported more
than 50 start-up companies in the North West of Ireland across a wide
range of industries including computer information technology, food
production, engineering, manufacturing and the production of medical
devices among other sectors. These start-up companies have developed
into successful businesses and benefited the North-West area with the
creation of 92 full time jobs and 43 part time jobs with projected
employment of up to 250 jobs by 2010/2011. Additionally, companies
who have participated in the CÉIM programme are projecting a
collective turnover of €25 million by 2011.
than 50 start-up companies in the North West of Ireland across a wide
range of industries including computer information technology, food
production, engineering, manufacturing and the production of medical
devices among other sectors. These start-up companies have developed
into successful businesses and benefited the North-West area with the
creation of 92 full time jobs and 43 part time jobs with projected
employment of up to 250 jobs by 2010/2011. Additionally, companies
who have participated in the CÉIM programme are projecting a
collective turnover of €25 million by 2011.
Professor Terri Scott, President of IT Sligo said, “the achievements
and employment created by CÉIM participants is testament to the power
of the CÉIM programme and the strong entrepreneurial spirit of the
North West of Ireland. The Innovation Centre at IT Sligo is committed
to entrepreneurship and offers CÉIM participants and other businesses
the supports and research facilities required to drive success and
create employment in this region.”
and employment created by CÉIM participants is testament to the power
of the CÉIM programme and the strong entrepreneurial spirit of the
North West of Ireland. The Innovation Centre at IT Sligo is committed
to entrepreneurship and offers CÉIM participants and other businesses
the supports and research facilities required to drive success and
create employment in this region.”
Paul Hannigan, President of LYIT, continued, “the CÉIM programme
continues to play a central role in making businesses in the North
West region economically competitive in the new technologically
advanced world. oLab at LYIT provides a solid framework of strategic
supports and services to CÉIM participants and other companies with an
overall goal of developing businesses and delivering greater
prosperity for the North West.”
continues to play a central role in making businesses in the North
West region economically competitive in the new technologically
advanced world. oLab at LYIT provides a solid framework of strategic
supports and services to CÉIM participants and other companies with an
overall goal of developing businesses and delivering greater
prosperity for the North West.”
Johnny Beirne, founder of Text-A-Track, a provider of online music and
a graduate of the 2008/2009 CÉIM programme said, “the CÉIM
a graduate of the 2008/2009 CÉIM programme said, “the CÉIM
programmeallowed me to take my business to the next level and provided
invaluable support and direction. In addition to providing
much-needed office space the programme offered me access to
experienced business mentors and introduced me to a network of
like-minded entrepreneurs who have supported my business development.”
invaluable support and direction. In addition to providing
much-needed office space the programme offered me access to
experienced business mentors and introduced me to a network of
like-minded entrepreneurs who have supported my business development.”
One of the highlights of the 2008-2009 CÉIM programme was a trade
mission to Silicon Valley in July 2009 for 7 select CÉIM participants
involved in information technology. Over the course of a week, these
companies met with more than 40 entrepreneurs, technologists, advisors
and potential investors. Overall, the CÉIM participants were well
received in Silicon Valley with one company securing a technical
advisor and the interest of investors. Another company sourced a
potential partner and customers while other companies built a network
of contacts and business leads. Of note, was the support the
companies received from the Irish Diaspora who provided advice and
made introductions to key business associates in Silicon Valley.
mission to Silicon Valley in July 2009 for 7 select CÉIM participants
involved in information technology. Over the course of a week, these
companies met with more than 40 entrepreneurs, technologists, advisors
and potential investors. Overall, the CÉIM participants were well
received in Silicon Valley with one company securing a technical
advisor and the interest of investors. Another company sourced a
potential partner and customers while other companies built a network
of contacts and business leads. Of note, was the support the
companies received from the Irish Diaspora who provided advice and
made introductions to key business associates in Silicon Valley.
For more information on the CÉIM programme: www.ceim.ie
Back Row L – R – John Andy Bonar (Head of Development, LYIT), Sarah
Fay (IT Sligo), Alan O Baoid (Údarás na Gaeltachta) , Niall McEvoy
(Head of Innovation, IT Sligo), Michael Kyle, Jianling Kyle, Professor
Terri Scott (President, IT Sligo), Michael Nugent, Andrew Hodson, Des
Forde, Paul Hannigan (President, LYIT), Carole Brennan(Enterprise
Ireland), Padraig Ó Gallachoir (LYIT), Ultan Faherty (WESTBIC),
Front Row L – R – Janette Gillen (IT Sligo), Heinrich Anhold, Robbie
Foley, Josh Loiselle, Aidan Haughey, Johnny Beirne, Enda Madden, Patsy
Donaghey (LYIT).
Back Row L – R – Michael Kyle, Jianling Kyle, Michael Nugent, Andrew Hodson, Des Forde,
Front Row L – R –Heinrich Anhold, Robbie Foley, Josh Loiselle, Aidan Haughey, Johnny Beirne, Enda Madden,
