Workshop for ‘investor-ready’ Clare companies

CONNOLLY, Ireland - May 20, 2013 - PRLog -- The InterTrade Ireland Seedcorn Promotional Workshop takes place at the Information Age Park facility on June 7th and is aimed at SMEs who are interested in becoming 'investor ready'.

The free event features the launch of the 11th annual InterTradeIreland all-island Seedcorn Investor Readiness Competition, which has a cash prize fund of €280,000 and aims to transform equity raising businesses into first-class investor ready companies.

According to Gert O’Rourke, Director of Ennis Innovate: “The workshop is free of charge and there will be plenty of opportunities for questions and networking. Individuals and companies who are interested in entering the Seedcorn Competition this year can discover the process for entering the competition and receive advice on what an investor looks for in a business plan.”

Now in its 11th year, the Seedcorn Investor Readiness competition has supported 1,645 enterprising companies, with the companies that have made it through to the regional finals successfully raising €165m in new funds.

Connor Sweeney, Seedcorn project manager for InterTradeIreland explained:  “This year we hope to encourage even more young companies that are looking to raise finance to enter the Seedcorn competition and avail of its many free workshops and master classes, including the upcoming Ennis event. The competition is an opportunity for young companies not only to compete for financial reward, but also to robustly test their business plan and gain valuable insight and expertise from some of the island’s leading entrepreneurs.”

The InterTrade Ireland Seedcorn Promotional Workshop takes place at the Ennis Innovate Regional Innovation Centre, Information Age Park, Gort Road, Ennis, Co. Clare, on Friday June 7th from 10.00 am to 11.30am. Companies interested in attending are requested to register on the InterTradeIreland website at www.intertradeireland.com/seedcorn.

Based in Shannon Development’s Information Age Park, the Ennis Innovate Regional Innovation Centre is funded by NUI Galway, UL, Clare County Council and Ennis Town Council and supported by partners Enterprise Ireland, Clare Local Development Company, Clare County Enterprise Board. The Centre provides practical support to entrepreneurs and start-up companies as they progress from business idea stage to commercialisation. For more visit www.ennisinnovate.ie.