Vision 2030 Jan. 2012 | Page 76

Enterprise Platform Programmes for Start-Up Businesses Small to Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of any economy. There are over 250,000 SMEs throughout Ireland. Many of the new start-up businesses are becoming increasingly innovation-led and export driven. This is as a result of two factors; (a) a blossoming entrepreneurial culture base and a solid educational foundation, and, (b) government policy as implemented by State agencies, in collaboration with local authorities and higher educational institutions. Ireland is a place that fosters innovation in startup companies by providing the infrastructure in which they can flourish. Once again, the themes of open innovation and convergence are encouraged as entrepreneurs, inventors, academics and financiers all interact at innovation hubs throughout the country. Entrepreneurs that are launching a business in Ireland have two initial ports of call. Firstly, Enterprise Ireland, the State agency responsible for promoting Irish products and services throughout international markets. In order to work with Enterprise Ireland, a company must be exportorientated and demonstrate the potential to create real employment. The se 6??B?'B?b6???2F?R??6??6?V?G?V?FW'&?6R&?&B?F?W6R??&R??6?6V@???7F?GWF???2&?f?FR?V?F?&??r?BgV?F??rF?7F'GW6????W2??F?Rf?&??bV?????V?Bw&?G2?@?6?F?W?V?F?GW&Rw&?G2???&FW"F?7F??V?FRF?R????fF???7V?GW&P?F?&?Vv??WBF?R?F????V?FW'&?6R?&V??BgV?G2F?P???7F?GWFW2?bFV6?????w??v??&?f?FR6???&?&F?fP???7V&F???6V?G&W2f?"V?G&W&V?WW'2?BV&??7FvP?'W6??W76W2?