We in InterTradeIreland are acutely aware of the many unprecedented challenges that now face businesses across the island as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak and so in this month's ezine we want to highlight the key Covid 19 supports available to help your business through this crisis.  Stay safe and healthy!

Support and advice is available for firms across the island to help your business navigate the current challenges. Check out our NEW guides that summarise the key government supports for businesses impacted by Covid-19 whether you are based in Ireland or Northern Ireland.

InterTradeIreland has developed a series of six webinars to help businesses navigate their way through the key supports that have been put in place in both jurisdictions in response to Covid-19.

The webinars, delivered by PKF-FPM on behalf of InterTradeIreland, will take place on 6th,15th and 22nd May for NI firms and on 7th,14th and 21st May for firms in Ireland.  The events will focus on: 

• Government Covid-19 Supports
• Cashflow mgt and funding
• Planning for recovery

Companies aiming to help healthcare responses to the Covid-19 crisis can now collaborate via a new online platform. Spearheaded by InterTradeIreland and TechIreland, the cross-border platform allows businesses to see quickly, in and beyond their region, who they can work with to combat the many supply chain and manufacturing challenges generated by the pandemic and meet pressing public need.

The competition that mirrors the real life investment process is now open for entries. Improve your ability to attract investment – benefit from free expert advice, €280k prize fund and networking opportunities with top investors on the island.

InterTradeIreland is aware of the huge impact and challenges which the Covid-19 pandemic has caused for your business.  We want to be able to help and to tailor our supports if necessary.  To do so it is important that we have up to date information which can inform our supports and wider policy decisions on supports for business.  We would therefore really appreciate it if you could take two minutes to complete the short survey below.  

Fresh figures released this week by InterTradeIreland show cross-border trade reached an all-time high of €7.4bn/£6.5bn in 2018, despite uncertainty around Brexit.  This is also reflected in the findings of InterTradeIreland’s latest Business Monitor (Q4 2019), which illustrates over a third of firms in Northern Ireland buy from suppliers in Ireland. The economy remain positive – with the vast majority of firms either in growth mode (44 per cent) or stable (42 per cent).

Five businesses across the island have been awarded 'Exemplar' status for outstanding innovation by InterTradeIreland's FUSION programme.  The innovations include 3D printed replica hearts, smart defense robots as well as innovations in construction and textile manufacturing. For SMEs wanting to develop new products or processes, FUSION offers funding of up to £56,000/€67,900 for firms to partner with a research institution and a graduate project manager.

Are you an entrepreneur looking to secure investment? We will have venture capitalists, business angels and investors from across the island together in one room on Thursday 5th March in the Crowne Plaza Belfast. Come along and benefit from invaluable networking opportunities, get up-to-date with the current investment scene on the island, find out which sectors are expected to emerge and predictions of how things may look in 2030.

Find out more about €150,000 Innovation Project Funding available 

What you see as a problem, others could see as a solution”, that’s the advice from leading expert Professor Nuran Acur on why businesses should collaborate openly with partners and industry. In the third of the ‘Innovation Station’ podcast series, the award winning scholar shares insight and practical advice on how to unravel ‘ the collaboration conundrum’.

As we enter a new decade, small business owners will be looking for new opportunities and ways to increase sales and grow their business.

Exporting is one option to seriously consider as it can significantly help firms to increase turnover and enhance business performance. For a first-time exporter trading , Northern Ireland or  Ireland is the perfect place to begin, writes Alison Currie from InterTradeIreland. Here are ten useful tips to get you started.

Do you have a new product, process or service you want to develop? The Co-Innovate programme has up to €150k funding available to bring your idea to life as well as salary support to hire an expert to deliver the project.   Come along to one of our FREE information sessions in January and February to find out more.

FutureScope, the annual event where entrepreneurs, technology leaders and industry come together to explore the impact of emerging technologies on business returns to the Convention Centre Dublin on Wednesday, 1^st April 2020.  This one-day event will include keynotes exploring the implications of emerging technologies and how they will shape the business opportunities of the future; multiple panel discussions exploring the challenges and opportunities arising from IoT, smart cities, robotics, 5G, data analytics, VR/AR, artificial intelligence and more.