Ballyhoura Development Ltd. has announced the three successful entrepreneurs who have been chosen for the Ballyhoura Dragons project which was launched earlier this year to coincide with the 21^st anniversary of Ballyhoura Development Ltd. The three successful start up companies were chosen from hundreds of applicants who wanted to set up a sustainable business in the Ballyhoura region.

The three businesses which have been chosen to partake in the programme to be mentored are Cabby Advertising, an in-taxi advertising company to promote advertising on the move, Credit Control Covered Limited which provides credit control training for businesses by way of a tutorial delivered online, and Polar Heating Controls Limited, a new heating control system for residential and commercial buildings. Mentorship will culminate in a Dragons Den style event where each of the participants will bid for investment by well known businesspeople.

Cabby Advertising is the brainchild of Rita Shinners who recognised the surge in popularity of in-taxi advertising in New York and wanted to bring a similar service to Irish taxis in a cost effective manner. Here, LCD screens are fitted inside taxis showing moving advertisements to a captive audience. With taxis operating day and night, Cabby Advertising will provide forward thinking businesses with a more widespread audience than any other form of media.

Credit Control Covered Limited is a family run business which was founded in January 2010 and led by Anthony and Laura Kelly. Anthony has twenty years experience managing his own long-established debt collection agency All Ireland Credit Services. On recognising the turbulent times businesses are facing and the basic mistakes made by both large and small businesses in terms of their credit control Anthony decided to put his experience in to writing a tutorial for organisations to help them avoid such pitfalls. The tutorial, which is delivered online is a desktop tool which will be of undeniable benefit to any company, large or small, domestic or international granting credit in Ireland. It is a Credit Control solution which is non-academic but rather provides real-life knowledge and expertise.

Polar Heating Controls Ltd. is a new innovative heating control system which is easily installed to existing systems and enables remote control and zoning of heat use, reducing energy costs for homeowners. The product is the brainchild of Gerard O’ Brien, Eamon O’ Dea, Gerard Barron, and Tom McGuinness. The business aims to create 20 jobs in the region in the first five years of business and expand the product range to incorporate new markets.

Speaking of the announcement of the three companies, Belinda Spillane, Enterprise Officer, Ballyhoura Development Limited said, “ Each of the three chosen participants represent real hope for the future of enterprise in the Ballyhoura region. Each company offers very different services and products and the coming six months will see them build their brand with highly experienced mentors. I hope that by the end of this year they will have secured the investment they require for their business to secure the future of long term employment for the people of Ballyhoura”.

The chosen mentors for the programme are DMConsulting, Chris Fussey, Hugo Flinn and James Nix. Each of the mentors will guide the participants through strategic planning and marketing over the coming months with each of the businesses also partaking in networking events and trade fairs to test their markets.

Unlocking the Key to Entrepreneurs Nationwide

“Ballyhoura Dragons” Calls for Budding Entrepreneurs from Across Ireland

Ballyhoura Development Ltd. yesterday launched their “Ballyhoura Dragons” project to help prospective entrepreneurs from all over Ireland to set up sustainable enterprises in the Ballyhoura Region and gain seed capital from investors. The programme also marks the 21st anniversary of Ballyhoura Development Ltd.

“Ballyhoura Dragons” is open to entrepreneurs from all over the country who are interested in setting up a business in Ballyhoura or who have set up an enterprise with less than ten employees in the past 12 months. With more than 90% of the programme cost subsidised by Ballyhoura Development Ltd. participants will only pay €1,500 for mentoring which would otherwise cost more than €10,000.

Ballyhoura Development Ltd. is based in Kilfinane and spans South East Limerick and North East Cork. Interested applicants should  submit a business plan to show their interest and an independent panel will then choose the businesses with the most potential.

The programme will attract budding entrepreneurs from all over Ireland to the region as well as encourage those who may find themselves at a crossroads to take the next step to set up their own business.

The chosen entrepreneurs will be mentored over a period of six months with six sessions of one-on-one mentoring covering the areas of the business which need assistance. Two of these workshops will be given by nationally and internationally prominent business people.

The programme will culminate in a Dragons Den event where candidates will pitch their business to potential investors in front of locals, friends and family.

Final date for submission to the programme is 26^th February 2010. For further information contact Belinda Spillane bspillane@ballyhoura.org 063-91749.