GEW Magazine issue 1 | Page 22

FAC 2014 Greece GEW 17 Nov - 23 Nov 2014 Competition categories Ireland cont... Entrepreneurs are key to economic recovery Enterprise Ireland is working hard to encourage homegrown entrepreneurs and to attract people with new ideas into Ireland Ireland’s economic recovery is well under way thanks, in part, to the work being done by the state economic development agency, Enterprise Ireland, and the extraordinary support structures that are currently in place for entrepreneurs. Internationally, Ireland has always been regarded as a hotbed of enterprise with a flourishing support ecosystem for entrepreneurs. It is also seen as a gateway to Europe and a rich resource of vibrant, well-educated, well-connected young people. That, and a great quality of life for people working there has led many of the biggest global players to make Ireland their home, especially those Sowing the seeds of entrepreneurship in the technology and pharmaceutical industries. Entrepreneurs can access significant support from the government and from the private sector and the spirit of enterprise is encouraged from an early age with entrepreneurial competitions run throughout the country in secondary schools. At third level, Enterprise Ireland hosts student enterprise awards and a New Frontiers enterprise development programme funds and supports 150 new ideas each year. This year Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur competition is currently running in every county throughout the country. Every year the government agencies support about 1,000 startups with early stage financial support and investment in High Potential Start Up (HPSU) companies if their ideas look strong enough to be internationalised. A number of programs are in place to encourage startup companies such as the Competitive Start Fund where Doug YH