Business & Finance

Feasibility Study Grants

Feasibility Study Grants are designed to assist the promoter with researching market demand for a product or service and examining its sustainability. It includes assistance with innovation including specific consultancy requirements, hiring of expertise from third level colleges, private specialists, design and prototype development. The maximum Feasibility Study Grant payable shall be 50% of the investment or €15,000 whichever is the lesser. Expenditure may be considered under the following headings: Market Research - Consultancy Costs - Technical Development/Prototype/ Innovation - Salary/Own Labour Research - Miscellaneous Costs Please contact Wexford LEO for an application form for the Feasibility Study Grant. Phone: 053 919 6020. Email: info@leo.wexfordcoco.ie n

Business supports

The Business Expansion Grant is designed to assist a business in its growth phase after the initial 18 month start-up period. Sole traders, partnerships or limited companies that fulfill the following criteria can apply: - Located and operating within the LEO geographic area. - A business, which, on growth, will have the capacity to progress to the Enterprise Ireland portfolio - A business employing up to 10 employees - A manufacturing or internationally traded service business - A domestically traded service business with the potential to trade internationally. For more information and how to apply click here: https://www.localenterprise.ie/Wexford/Financial-Supports/Business-Expansion-Grant/ The Agile Innovation Fund is now available for small businesses: Introduced by Enterprise Ireland, the Agile fund will help clients of LEO Wexford respond more quickly to market opportunities and challenges like Brexit. Offering fast-track approval and a streamlined online application process, the new Agile Innovation Fund will allow companies to access up to 45% or 50% in support for product, process or service development projects with a total cost of up to €300,000. For more information click: https://www.localenterprise.ie/Wexford/Financial-Supports/Agile%20Innovation%20Fund/ n

Green for Micro

Sign up for The Local Enterprise Office Green For Micro programme – helping your business prepare for the low carbon, more resource efficient economy of the future. Book Now: https://bit.ly/3zW6RBn This FREE initiative is available to companies with up to ten employees, and provides the mentorship and technical support your business needs to go green, covering such as resource efficiency, understanding your carbon footprint, reducing costs and implementing an environmental management system. n

Rosslare company wins big a

PROFESSIONAL HAIR LABS WINS AT NATIONAL ENTERPRISE AWARDS

Professional Hair Labs, who are supported by Local Enterprise Office Wexford, were winners at this year’s National Enterprise Awards. The awards, which took place at the Mansion House in Dublin, are in their 23rd year and are run annually by the Local Enterprise Offices. Professional Hair Labs took home the Best Export Award. Professional Hair Labs are a manufacturer of cutting-edge cosmetic products, pushing the boundaries of cosmetic innovation to bring niche solutions to the marketplace. Known best for their innovation surrounding cosmetic bonding adhesives for hair replacement, their GHOSTBOND product is the current global leading brand. Then Wexford Co. Council Cathaoirleach Barbara-Anne Murphy congratulated Ryan, Daryl and David Margolin on winning this prestigious award demonstrating their commitment to excellence. The company currently employs 12 staff in their premises in Rosslare and have significant expansion plans. Tom Enright, Chief Executive, Wexford County Council, also expressed his congratulations to the team in Professional Hair Labs and noted their continued commitment to developing new cosmetic formulations adding to their existing product range which they export globally. The overall winner at the National Enterprise Awards was Wicklow aquaculture and offshore wind company, Aqualicense. Established in 2019 by Kate Dempsey, the company has gone from strength to strength. The company engages in consultation, planning, legal compliance and project delivery on behalf of companies in the aquaculture and offshore renewable energy industries. They expanded their operations into the highly regulated offshore renewable energy sector in 2021 which has helped the company grow considerably and they are now looking to expand their expertise into new markets internationally. Several other companies won across a range of categories at the Awards, which were established by the Local Enterprise Offices to celebrate the impact and quality of small businesses across the country. The Best Start-Up category was won by Acoustic Interiors supported by Local Enterprise Office Offaly. The business improves the health, wellbeing and productivity of people through intelligent acoustic design and fit-out of homes, offices and buildings. The Green/Sustainability Award went to Cirtex, supported by Local Enterprise Office Longford. The company have created a closed-loop manufacturing business that upcycles the materials from duvets and mattresses, most of which are imported, to be reused in new products. The Best Export category was won by Professional Hair Labs supported by Local Enterprise Office Wexford. The family-run business is a manufacturer and distributor

L-R: Padraic McElwee, Chair of LEO network, Ryan Margolin (CEO Professional Hair Labs), Breege Cosgrave (Acting Head of Enterprise at Wexford LEO), Daryl Margolin (Professional Hair Labs), Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy (then Cathaoirleach of Wexford Co. Council), Cllr Jim Moore, Damien English TD (Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail).

at national awards

of cosmetic products including GHOSTBOND, the world’s leading product for hair adhesive solutions. The Innovation Award went to Cubbie who are supported by Local Enterprise Office Mayo. The installation, which is in over 200 schools across Ireland, enables students with neurodiversity or sensory challenges to regulate their senses with a bespoke programme to ensure their learning and academic experience is not adversely affected. Finally, the One to Watch Award was taken by Streat School supported by Local Enterprise Office Monaghan. The business provides an end-to-end solution for those looking to enter the street food business, providing equipment, workshops and branding materials. This year’s winners share a €50,000 investment fund and eight regional winners were also announced on the night. Those winners are: Farmony in the Dublin Region (backed by LEO Fingal) Torpey in the South West Region (backed by LEO Clare) Salutem Insights in the Mid East Region (backed by LEO Laois) SmartRoutes in the South Region (backed by LEO Cork City) FeedAlpha in the South East Region (backed by LEO Carlow) Tantek 4D in the North West Region (backed by LEO Sligo) Aine’s Chocolate in the North East Region (backed by LEO Cavan) Studio Meala in the West Region (backed by LEO Roscommon) There was also an Outstanding Achievement Award presented on the night to an individual or company who has excelled in recent years. This award went to ABC Nutritionals from Clare. The Shannon based business, established in 2007, is a private label manufacturer of sports, weight management and lifestyle nutrition products. They have doubled their workforce and turnover since 2018 with 68 now employed and hope to reach 100 by 2025 with a new facility in development. The National Enterprise Awards are one of a number of initiatives that the Local Enterprise Offices run, to foster entrepreneurship across the country. Others include Local Enterprise Week, the Student Enterprise Programme, National Women’s Enterprise Day and Local Enterprise Showcase. The Local Enterprise Offices in local authorities are funded by the Government of Ireland through Enterprise Ireland. Established in 2014, the Local Enterprise Offices are the essential resource for any entrepreneur looking to start a business or any small business that is looking for support or advice to help them grow. Since their inception eight years ago, the Local Enterprise Offices have helped create over 20,000 jobs across the country. The LEOs work with thousands of client companies across Ireland in a diverse range of sectors offering mentoring, training, expert advice and financial supports to small businesses. For more information see: www.LocalEnterprise.ie n

L-R: Liz Hore (Director of Services, Wexford Co. Council), Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy (then Cathaoirleach of Wexford Co. Council), Ciara Margolin, Ryan Margolin (CEO Professional Hair Labs), Damien English TD (Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail), Daryl Margolin (Professional Hair Labs), Helena Margolin, Cllr Jim Moore, Breege Cosgrave (Acting Head of Enterprise at Wexford LEO).

Minister English visits Wexford businesses

Minister Damien English’s visit to the Local Enterprise Office, Wexford, on 30th June 2022. L-R: Eamonn Hore (Deputy Chief Executive Wexford Co. Council), Cllr George Lawlor (Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council), Minister Damien English TD, Breege Cosgrave (Acting Head of Enterprise at Wexford LEO), Diarmuid Houston (Wexford County Council). Pic: Mary Browne.

Innovative enterprises in the food, bio and medical industries showcased by Wexford Local Enterprise Office. Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Damien English TD, visited the Wexford Local Enterprise Office (LEO) on 30th June 2022 where he met with council officials and members of the LEO team as well as visiting some of their outstanding client companies. Minister English was greeted at Wexford County Hall by Eamonn Hore, Deputy Chief Executive and George Lawlor, Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council. Breege Cosgrave, Acting Head of Enterprise at Wexord LEO, gave a presentation on the successful work of the LEO team in supporting the SME business community in the South-East and held discussions with Minister English on their future plans for enterprise development in the county. This was followed by a presentation of a Wexford Food Family Hamper along with products from the other LEO client companies which showcased the variety of locally produced goods which are available to consumers from across Ireland and the globe. Minister English said: “The importance of the LEO network to local businesses cannot be overstated. The LEOs provide a vital service in supporting companies whether it is through training, mentoring or with other important supports. The Wexford LEO was a vital lifeline to local businesses during the pandemic and it will now play an even more important role in providing advice and guidance as companies seek to diversify or to grow and expand.” Minister English then met with LEO client companies Wexford Food Family and Professional Hair Labs. The Wexford Food Family is a not-for-profit network of food producers dedicated to growing the Wexford food industry in the county through growing the business of its members. Professional Hair Labs is a manufacturer and distributor of cutting-edge cosmetic products, using innovative, modern ingredient technologies to bring niche solutions to the marketplace which solve everyday challenges for consumers. The Minister then met with LEO team members and members of the Evaluation and Approvals Committee for discussions on the work of both teams in helping local businesses to realise their ambition for growing sales and creating more job opportunities locally. The Minister’s next stop was Biostór Ireland, which is a technologically advanced bio storage facility for the import, certified storage and worldwide distribution of biological materials for scientific research and clinical applications. Peadar MacGabhann, Director, and Ger McCabe, Chief Operations Officer of Biostór, spoke to the Minister about their entrepreneurial journey with LEO Wexford. Minister English concluded his visit at Hoop Medical where he met with Teddy Mudge, co-founder, and Clive Hayes, CEO. Hoop Medical specialises in the development and manufacture of advanced medical balloons for the global medical device industry. Using proprietary robotic balloon forming technology, the company develops and manufactures the balloon component of a balloon catheter device for a wide customer base. On the conclusion of his visit, Minister English said: “I am delighted

to be here in Wexford today and to meet with so many enterprising individuals and to learn about their businesses. I am always impressed with the diversity of business that engages with our various LEO teams all around the country. And Wexford can be proud of their local business community; with its biotechnology firms, not-for-profit network of food producers, cutting-edge cosmetic manufacturers and advanced medical products for the global medical device industry, the range of entrepreneurial spirit here in Wexford is truly inspiring. The willingness of businesses to grasp opportunities is vital in ensuring regional growth and job creation. Through the LEOs, and other agencies and supports, the Government will continue to support innovation and ambition in our business community to ensure that our economy will continue to grow and thrive.”

Top left: Minister English visits Hoop Medical in Wexford. Top right: Minister English meets the management team of Professional Hair Labs.

Above right: Eamonn Hore (Deputy Chief Executive Wexford Co. Council) greets Minister English. Right and below: Minister English visits Biostór in Rosslare, with local Councillors also in attendance.

All photos: Mary Browne. n

Minister Damien English meets members of the Wexford Food Family

Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Damien English TD, visited the Wexford Local Enterprise Office (LEO) on 30th June 2022 where he met with Councillors, Council officials, members of the LEO team as well as members of Wexford Food Family (pictured above and below) who are supported by Wexford LEO. Pics: Mary Browne.

ENNISCORTHY TO BENEFIT FROM NEW REMOTE-WORKING FUNDING

A series of new initiatives and funding from government will make remote working more accessible and attractive for local people, Fine Gael TD Paul Kehoe has said.

Following the announcement on 8th June by Minister Heather Humphreys, “At least 10,000 hot desk spaces will be provided across the country under the new Connected Hubs Voucher Scheme, which is aimed at both existing hub users, as well as those accessing digital hub facilities in Wexford for the first time. The scheme will initially provide three days of hub use per person between now and the end of August. “Minister Humphreys also announced €5 million in funding, through the Connected Hubs 2022 Call, which will be used to build capacity and enhance existing Remote Working facilities. This is on top of the almost €9 million that was awarded applicants in 2021." Under the funding, Enniscorthy Enterprise and Technology Centre is to receive €31,950 as part of a series of new initiatives to support Remote Working. In addition to these measures, funding of €50,000 is also being provided to Wexford County Council under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. “This will help Wexford County Council to promote remote working opportunities and Wexford communities as a destination for people considering relocating from our cities and larger towns who may want to return home and enjoy a new experience. “It was also revealed today that the number of Remote Working facilities on the Connected Hubs Network has now reached 242. This represents over 60 per cent of the 400 hubs pledged as part of Our Rural Future, the Government’s landmark five-year rural development policy. “The Department of Rural and Community Development has to date invested some €100m in the development of remote working facilities under programmes such as the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. “Fine Gael is determined to ensure balanced regional development across the country and an important element of that is making remote working an option for more people. “The drive to encourage remote working will help revitalise towns and villages and it supports Fine Gael’s ambition and campaign to build stronger, safer communities in Wexford”, Deputy Kehoe said. “Remote Working has been a gamechanger for thousands of people. It’s given people of all ages a better quality of life – allowing them to spend more time with their family and friends, working within their local town or village." n

More good news at Rosslare Europort

Rosslare Europort, Ireland’s number one RoRo port for direct European services, announced on 16th June 2022 that a groundbreaking new freight service – a twice weekly each way Rosslare to Zeebrugge (Belgium) service –was being launched by Finnlines. This new service and operator for Rosslare Europort not only provides a new direct link between Ireland and continental Europe, but through Zeebrugge – one of Europe’s busiest RoRo ports – it opens up more European and global routes for Irish industry. On 23 July 2022, Finnlines will commence the new service. The route will be operated by the ro-ro vessel, Finnpulp, which has the capacity to carry 3,259 lane metres of cargo, equivalent to around 225 trailers. There will be two departures per week from each direction, and it is hoped to expand the service further. General Manager of Rosslare Europort Glenn Carr said, “The growth of Rosslare Europort’s direct connections to and from the European continent continues apace. Having established ourselves as Ireland’s leading port for direct European RoRo services in 2021, the announcement by FinnLines will bring to 34 the number of direct services between Rosslare and the continent next month. Finnlines joins our existing customers for European services – Stena Line, Brittany Ferries, DFDS and Neptune Lines – in taking advantage of our location, our connectivity, our capacity, and our work with Irish industry to provide it with the best possible service.” “The substantial increase in volume at the port clearly demonstrates the shift in demand for services out of Rosslare from other hubs, we are the closest port to Europe and easily accessible to all major cities and industrial sites throughout Ireland. As major ports such as Dublin grapple with future constraints and congestion, Rosslare Europort will be further developed to help alleviate these challenges and offer real viable, efficient and sustainable alternative services and connectivity for the greater good of the wider economy,” said Carr.

Rosslare Europort is making further significant investments with the purchase of an additional 18-acre site adjacent to the port and the award of a contract for its new Port Terminal Management System. Iarnród Éireann made the announcement as part of its overall Rosslare Europort Masterplan, which will support the future growth of port operations and greatly enhance customer experience at Rosslare Europort. New 18-acre site

Agreement has been reached by Rosslare Europort to secure 18 acres of additional lands next to the port. The site, which is zoned for commercial use, is adjacent to the new proposed freight port entrance and will have direct connection to both the port and the new port access road being constructed by Transport Infrastructure Ireland and Wexford Co. Council. The new site will add significant capacity to future RoRo, ConRo freight operations, ORE and other bulk storage activity at Rosslare and will further position Rosslare Europort to attract shipping services from other ports that are, and will in the future, experience further congestion and capacity constraints. The additional site along with theMasterplan extension will ensure that the country’s importers, exporters, manufacturers and logistics sectors will have access to the leading port in Ireland for services directly connected to their markets throughout Europe and globally. Port Terminal Management System Matching the future physical port infrastructure, the digitalisation of systems and operations will deliver an enhanced, more effective and more efficient experience for freight and passenger businesses. Brock Solutions have been awarded the contract for the implementation of a new Port Terminal Management System at Rosslare Europort as part of its digitalisation roll-out plan. On completion of the project, Rosslare Europort will become one of smartest ports operating in Europe through the deployment of new technology and systems across its freight and passenger services. The new Port Terminal System will include: n Improved freight and passenger check-in through Smart Gate technology n Vehicle Track ’n’ Trace Technology n Real time cloud-based reporting n Full damage recording / reporting n Port Simulation System n Controlled parking / storage management n Full CCTV / Security Monitoring n Improved efficiency and traffic management system The implementation programme commenced in June 2022 and full-system roll-out is expected to be completed over the next 36 months. n

Enniscorthy’s business zone to benefit from future-proofed Siro broadband

ENNISCORTHY’S NEW PRIMARY CARE CENTRE AND QUARRY BUSINESS PARK CONNECTS TO FUTUREPROOFED SIRO BROADBAND

Broadband network operator, SIRO, the joint venture between ESB and Vodafone, rolling out a 100% Fibre-to-the-Premises network across Ireland, has announced its plans to connect Quarry Business Park in Enniscorthy. The Enniscorthy Primary Care Centre, located in Quarry Park, will receive SIRO’s enterprise offering, enabling the health centre to use online services to support the care of their outpatients within the community. The last two years have seen health centres and GPs across Ireland migrate their services online to accommodate the healthcare needs of their out-patients. Online prescriptions, patient management and appointment management are just some of the critical everyday uses of online health services now available to Enniscorthy patients. The connectivity that SIRO provides will enable the primary care centre to ensure its outpatients have ease-of-access to its services, without compromising on quality of care. Quarry Park in Enniscorthy is the first business park in the town to be connected with SIRO’s gigabit Fibre-To-The-Premises broadband. As part of its roll-out in Enniscorthy, SIRO aims to also connect the Old Dublin Road Business Park. SIRO first announced its roll-out in Enniscorthy in 2021 as part of its wider expansion in County Wexford, and at present approx 5,000 premises in the town can order SIRO’s residential or business broadband. One business within the Quarry Business Park that is availing of SIRO’s enterprise offering is Datapac, Ireland’s leading ICT solutions provider, which specialises in technology innovation for the public and private sector. Speaking about the partnership, Head of Enterprise, Tarah Goldrick, said: “We’re delighted to announce that SIRO’s enterprise product can now serve the businesses and service providers within Quarry Business Park. We are seeing a massive shift in businesses adopting digital practices like CRM systems, online security and innovation solutions. Reliable and resilient fibre connectivity is the cornerstone of any quality business. The businesses within Quarry Business Park now have the fastest and most resilient connection available on the market, benefiting the wider community in Enniscorthy.” Commenting, Dr. Mairead Kelly who is based in the Primary Care Centre said: “Here at the Primary Care Centre in Enniscorthy, we recognise the growing need for reliable broadband in the services we provide for our patients and for our day to day administration. The pandemic accentuated the need for health services to go online and without suitable broadband our out-patients could not make much needed appointments or access their prescriptions. SIRO’s broadband offering allows us to seamlessly manage the digital aspects of our health centre, allowing us to prioritise our patients’ needs.” SIRO’s broadband is available to over 5,000 premises in Enniscorthy with residential and enterprise offerings, which can be ordered through the following retailers: Digiweb, Sky, Vodafone, Blacknight, Carnsore Broadband, Fastcom and Pure Telecom.

Visit https://siro.ie/broadband-for-business or email info@siro.ie for more information. n