Collaboration is a powerful tool for those looking to support business recovery as we move out of survival mode and look to the future. Effective collaboration offers the facilitation and transfer of crucial skills, knowledge expertise and supports growth capability. Right now, it can help your business to re-establish connections and act as a catalyst for change and innovation.

In this month’s blog Janet Toal, Innovation Manager at InterTradeIreland, explains why now is the best time to consider collaboration and how InterTradeIreland can support this process. Can your business afford to miss out on the important benefits collaboration provides?

The Seedcorn Investor Readiness Competition 2021 is now open for entries. New this year is an award for best low carbon/green company so the total Seedcorn prize fund has increased by €20,000 to €300,000.

Not only will participants be in with a chance to win a share of this lucrative cash prize fund, but will also secure expert feedback on their business plans and pitches, improve their investor readiness and gain exposure to investors, all while boosting their firm’s profile.

The closing date for this year’s competition is 1pm on Friday 28 May.

Still struggling to get your business back on its feet due to Covid related challenges? 

InterTradeIreland's Emergency Business Solutions Programme offers funding of up to £2,000/€2250 to help firms address key business challenges related to Covid-19. Get professional advice in areas such as Health & Safety,HR, financial guidance, staff training as well as help with product diversification.

Congratulations to the businesses who have been awarded “Exemplar” status and recognised for outstanding innovation by InterTradeIreland, as part of the Innovation Boost programme. This year, artificial intelligence, robotics and automation were the key strands to emerge from the winning projects. 

Innovation Boost is a cross-border initiative that matches third level institutions with SMEs that are seeking to innovate. The programme also funds a graduate to work in the business for the duration of the project.

Are you interested in gaining insight into the future changes and challenges that could impact your industry? As part of our All-Island Innovation Programme we’re providing free access to the latest research and learning through a series of innovation webinars and blogs.

If you are based in the food sector, we have an interesting perspective from industry and innovation experts who discuss how technology is primed to provide radical solutions to innovation challenges faced by the Food sector.

Are you struggling to grow your business online? InterTradeIreland’s E-Merge programme is offering businesses £2500/€2800 fully funded consultancy support to help develop online sales, marketing and E-commerce solutions. We can support you with:

• Promoting and selling online
• Website management
• SEO optimisation
• Identification of sectoral e-markets
• E-commerce and more