Coffee House Lane brings home the Bronze!

With over 2,500 food and drink products entered in this year’s Blas na hEireann Irish Food Awards competition, Waterford’s Coffee Warehouse brought bronze back to the Deise from Dingle.

Now in its eight year, the Blas na hEireann Irish Food Awards is the biggest competition on the island of Ireland for quality Irish produce and Coffee Warehouse’s “Coffee House Lane Blend 1690” picked up the accolade in the best coffee category.

Coffee Warehouse is renowned for its Ponticelli brand and in April this year launched its new coffee brand, Coffee House Lane, in honour of Waterford’s coffee roasting tradition. 

Mark Bergin, founder of Coffee Warehouse was delighted to receive the award.  “It’s a fantastic boost for our company, and a great endorsement of a new coffee blend that was only launched six months ago.  Not only is it a bonus to receive recognition from the Blas judging panel, it gives us the confidence to promote our coffee not just in Ireland, but throughout the UK and eventually Europe.”

“Exploring new export markets was always part of our business strategy, but the fact that Coffee House Lane now has a Blas na hEireann award for one of the best coffees in Ireland, will be hugely advantageous to our company.”

Mark also believes that the Blas na hEireann awards encourage food and drink producers to provide consumers with quality produce.  “Waterford is punching well above its weight in terms of good food and drink producers. There is a very passionate and proactive collective of Waterford growers, producers and retailers who are dedicated to supplying customers with good quality products and an enjoyable food experience.  Competitions, such as Blas na hEireann, encourage producers to aim for consistently high standards.”

Amongst the more renowned foodstuffs that originated in Waterford such as the blaa, rasher and cream cracker, coffee was roasted in Waterford back as far as 1690.  John Aikenhead was the visionary who first brewed and distributed coffee in Ireland, from his coffee house in the aptly named Coffee House Lane, and the Coffee House Lane Blend 1690 plays homage to the significant role Waterford played in bringing coffee to the Irish public.

In that past year Coffee Warehouse has increased its distribution exponentially since its participation in the SuperValu Food Academy “Start” and “Advance” programmes and is now stocked in 135 SuperValu stores throughout the country, Ardkeen Quality Food Store and numerous independent retailers.  Without the support of agencies such as Waterford Local Enterprise Office, Love Irish Food and SuperValu, Mark says, the company “would not be where it is today.”

Ciaran Cullen, Local Enterprise Office Waterford, congratulated Coffee Warehouse on its award.  “Mark and his team at Coffee Warehouse are dedicated to the pursuit of bringing good coffee to their customers.  By exploring and undertaking new and innovative roasting techniques and sourcing the finest coffee beans from Kenya, Sumatra, Ethiopia and Brazil, Coffee Warehouse has raised the bar for all coffee producers in the country.”

“Having been involved with the development of the brand concept of Coffee House Lane, with invaluable assistance from Eamonn McEneaney, Director of Waterford Museum of Treasures Waterford LEO is delighted that Coffee House Lane’s Blend 1690 was recognised at the Blas na hEireann Irish Food Awards.”

For more information about Coffee House Lane and the range of Coffee Warehouse blends visit www.ponticelli.ie or keep up to date with Coffee House Lane on Facebook and Twitter.

Enterprising students have Christmas all Wrapped Up!

A Waterford City Student Enterprise Village will take place over two days in the Granville Hotel’s function room on Thursday and Friday December 11^th and 12^th from 10am to 4.30pm.

Since the start of September, 350 transition year students from Waterford City and six Youth Bank community groups have been busy setting up small businesses and creating products to sell for Christmas. They have been assisted by their teachers and Waterford Local Enterprise Office and business mentors.

Everything from crafted cakes to Christmas candles, reflective dog leads to traditional recipe books, Christmas cards and a host of other gift ideas. This array of products will be sold from the Granville Hotel’s function room on Thursday and Friday December 11^th and 12^th from 10am to 4.30pm each day.

Schools involved include De la Salle College, Abbey Community College, Waterpark College, Presentation Secondary School, Newtown Secondary School, Mercy Secondary School and Gaelcholaiste Phortlairge.

Ciaran Cullen of the Local Enterprise Office commented on the importance of the event, “The Enterprise Office continually tries to improve and evolve its services. This event is all about the students. We learned from last year’s experience and thought one event over two days might be more productive and profitable for the students. It is so important for Waterford City students to learn how to interact with customers and sell their products in a live retail environment.”

The student, schools, youth groups and Local Enterprise Office appeal to the public to visit the Student Enterprise Village, support the work they have put into their businesses and encourage their efforts.

For more information please contact your Local Enterprise Office at 32 the Mall in Waterford City. Alternatively you can email info@leo.waterfordcouncil.ie .   

Fund Recs co-founder through to National IBYE final.

A young Waterford entrepreneur has won a place at the first ever national final of Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur (IBYE) competition, for a chance to share a €100,000 investment fund.

Padraig O’Scanaill of Fund Recs will represent the Munster region in the Best Start-up category at the national final in Dublin this December and has already won €20,000 worth of investment from Waterford Local Enterprise Office.

Founded in 2013, Fund Recs provides cloud based software to the Investment Funds Industry, targeting a need for disruptive technology to automate the manual reconciliation of data and deliver streamlined workflows. Not even a year in business, Fund Recs already works with a Top 5 Global Bank, a FTSE 100 company and a globally renowned independent securities depository.

Originally from Ballyvourney, Co. Cork, Padraig graduated from UL and after several years working in Limerick, Galway and Dublin came to Waterford and volunteered as a CoderDojo mentor.  Padraig now regards Tramore as home.

Speaking of the IBYE journey, Padraig was delighted with the company’s progress in the competition. “The competition has been a fantastic experience for me personally and also for the company.  The starting point was being accepted onto the local IBYE programme, where we received mentoring and attended intensive business bootcamps.”

“I thought winning the Best Start-up category in the Waterford final was a major achievement, particularly in the face of such tough competition.  However going on to win the Munster regional final was tremendous. Representing Munster in the National Finals has focused so much positive attention on the business.  That, coupled with the support received from Waterford LEO has given our business invaluable exposure, funding, networking opportunities and potential to grow.”

Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur competition is an integral part of the Action Plan for Jobs 2014 and is supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through the 31 Local Enterprise Offices around the country. 

Mr. Ciaran Cullen, LEO Waterford said, “It is very fitting that Padraig will go on to represent Munster in the national final in December.  Over 1,000 businesses entered from every county in Ireland and the competition was intense.  Padraig’s company Fund Recs develops cloud based reconciliation software and was recognised for its strong concept, innovative nature, originality and international growth potential.”  

“We are delighted to support Padraig and his company, which is testament to the entrepreneurial spirit in Waterford.  Business challenges and business opportunities are breeding start-ups, like Fund Recs.  Locally, there is a wealth of talent, intellect and vision, all combined with sound business acumen, which is ensuring that we see more young innovative companies like Padraig’s start, grow and flourish in Waterford.”

For all the latest news and updates about the Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur competition, visit www.ibye.ie, www.localenterprise.ie or search #TeamWaterford or #IBYE on social media.

Waterford food producers to create 30 new jobs in 12 months

There is a quiet food revolution taking place in Waterford City and County.

From the traditional and famous Blaa to exotic seaweed based breads, the return of hand roasting coffee in the region to locally famous ice cream makers, these and more local food producers will be pitching their tents in Cathedral Square, Waterford City and creating the Enterprising Food Village in this September’s Harvest Festival. 

Festival goers can also look forward to practical cookery demonstrations in the village over the weekend.

Over the past few years the routes to market for local food producers have expanded exponentially. Festivals such as Harvest increase sales, but more importantly introduce these brands to new markets and future customers.

Based on working with local food producers, Mr. Ciaran Cullen of Waterford’s Local Enterprise Office anticipates an increase of over 30 jobs from those businesses in the next 12 months. “The food culture in Waterford has shifted perceptively in the last few years.  Here in Waterford we are lucky to have a dedicated group of food producers who are making great strides in putting Waterford on the Irish food map. This is in no small part helped by the Local Enterprise Office’s ‘Food Academy Programme’, in partnership with SuperValu and Bord Bia. Our clients have informed us of plans to expand their workforce due to increased demand both within Ireland and internationally.”

The Food Academy really does give small producers a big chance, as local producers from Waterford City and County; Gino’s Ice-cream, Ponticelli Coffee, The Early Bird Egg Company, Edelicious and Sea of Vitality were among the first participants in this tailored retail programme resulting in the Waterford ‘five’ becoming the first graduates to have their products displayed on the shelves of Caulfield’s, Garvey’s and Quish’s SuperValu stores in Waterford last month.

Based on the success of the initial sales and customer feedback SuperValu has agreed to expand the Waterford food products nationwide to line the shelves of between 15 and 20 stores across the SuperValu platform. Mr. Cullen believes this expansion in sales will translate into jobs and inspire further food enterprises in the county.

The Harvest Festival takes place in Waterford City on the weekend of the 12th to 14th September 2014. Now in its sixth year, the three day festival has built a reputation as a valuable showcase for local and regional food producers.  Young and young at heart alike will be able to find something to whet their appetites throughout Waterford’s city centre, the Viking Triangle and the three City Centre Parks.

If you want to know more the Harvest Festival’s full programme of events is available on http://www.waterfordharvestfestival.ie/.  The Festival brochure is widely available throughout the City and County.  Be sure to keep up to date on all things Harvest Fest by checking it out on Facebook and Twitter.

Two Waterford City family businesses to feature at the Local Enterprise Village

Paul Lenehan of Sienna Home Furnishings

Over 30 indigenous companies from the South East will participate in the “Local Enterprise Village” as part of the National Ploughing Championships 2014, hosted by the Local Enterprise Offices. Included in the Local Enterprise Village are Sienna Home Furnishings and The Coffee Warehouse from Waterford City.

The Coffee Warehouse was established in 2001 by Stephen and Mark Bergin to complement the growing demand for quality coffee in Waterford and the adjoining areas. It is a family owned and run business with many years’ experience in the Health, Hospitality and Beverage trades.

In January 2012 The Coffee Warehouse invested in a full roasting plant, bringing coffee roasting back to Waterford. As the only roaster in the South East of Ireland they can personalise the coffee, creating a blend that would be exclusive to each customer.  The Coffee Warehouse was also Waterford City’s first member of Love Irish Food.

Sienna Home Furnishings is a family run furniture and bedding business based in Waterford, and voted “One of Ireland’s Top 50 Retail Stores” for the past 5 years.

Sienna is bringing its wool collection to the National Ploughing Championships, including its Wool Duvets, Wool Pillows, Wool Mattress Topper and Mattress Protectors. There are hundreds of reasons why you should consider buying Wool Bedding as an alternative to synthetic-filled bedding. It offers 25% more deep regenerative sleep, it helps to reduce allergies and helps regulate your temperature, not to mention the benefits derived from its natural, sustainable, renewable and biodegradable features.

Located this year at Ratheniska, County Laois, from September 23rd to 25th  2014, the championships will showcase the ‘Local Enterprise Village”.  From food & drink to a treatment for tired eyes, from sportswear to world leading water technologies, some of Ireland’s latest innovations developed by Local Enterprise Office supported companies, will be on display at the National Ploughing Championships 2014 as part of a €500,000 sales drive to support SME’s in Ireland.

Speaking about the village, Ciaran Cullen from the LEO Waterford said, “The National Ploughing Championships is an important platform for small and medium sized enterprises throughout the region.”

Mr. Cullen continued, “At the heart of the Local Enterprise Office remit is the facilitation of programmes which allow companies to develop and grow and the LEO in Waterford see clients’ participation in the NPA as a significant opportunity to showcase their competitive offering to the local, national and international visitors who attend the NPA”.

Over 160,000 visitors are expected to this year’s event and visitors to the Championships spend just under €36.5 million during the three days of the event.  The ‘Local Enterprise Village' will be a focal point of the many exhibits and tents on show at the 100 acre trade arena.

Food Academy gives small food producers a big chance

What began as a collaboration between SuperValu, Bord Bia, 31 Local Enterprise Offices and hundreds of small food producers, has seen the first ‘class’ of food producers graduate from the Food Academy Start programme.

Local producers from Waterford City and County; Gino’s Ice-cream, Ponticelli Coffee, The Early Bird Egg Company, Edelicious and Sea of Vitality took part in the tailored retail programme and this week saw their products displayed on the shelves of Caulfield’s SuperValu in Waterford.

Thomas Caulfield of Caulfield’s SuperValu Group, welcomed the new producers to the aisles of the Morgan Street store, commenting that “There is a rich tapestry of tastes and flavours on offer from the five companies, from coffee roasted exclusively in Waterford and bread made from seaweed to fresh flavoursome ice-cream, home-made sauces and accompaniments and organic, farm-fresh, free-range eggs.”

He added, “We are delighted to offer these new businesses the opportunity to showcase their products in our store and to introduce these new, exciting, indigenous ranges to our customers.  The producers in question are in start-up or early start phases and the products they are bringing to market are the embodiment of all that is good about Irish foodstuffs and we are proud to support them on this journey. ”

In September 2013, ‘Food Academy Start’ was launched in order to help develop Ireland’s artisan food industry, to deliver a consistent level of food marketing knowledge created for new and early-stage food business owners and to provide small food business with a solid foundation to progress to shelves of retailers.  The five Waterford producers participated in a series of workshops and one-to-one mentoring followed by a process of focus group testing and brand development. 

Ciaran Cullen of Local Enterprise Office Waterford which implemented and funded the programme was pleased to be involved with the initiative.  “SuperValu and Bord Bia developed a challenging yet rewarding programme for the participants.  The five Waterford businesses have unique food products which they worked hard on developing and deserve to reach a wide customer base on the shelves of SuperValu, as their product will be available in local SuperValu stores for a period of twelve weeks.”

“The food culture in Waterford has shifted perceptively in the last few years.  While consumers look for value, they still want, where and when possible, to support local producers because of their assured quality and traceability.  Here in Waterford we are lucky to have a dedicated group of food producers who are making great strides in putting Waterford on the Irish food map.”

The five local food producers will be trialed throughout the rest of the Waterford SuperValu stores and will be on the shelves of Garvey’s SuperValu Dungarvan, Quish’s SuperValu Tramore and Kelliher’s SuperValu Cappoquin from September 2^nd.

If you have a business idea, find out about what assistance is available to you from your Local Enterprise Office at 32, The Mall in Waterford City or the Civic Offices in Dungarvan. Alternatively you can email info@leo.waterfordcouncil.ie .  

Local Enterprise Board networking lunches continue

Louise Grubb of Q1 Scientific

Following the success of WLRfm's Des Whelan 'Top Ten Tips on Branding’, Waterford Local Enterprise Office is looking forward to welcoming Louise Grubb to give her ‘Top Ten Tips on Business Expansion’ on Thursday, July 3^rd.

These events called ‘Top Ten lunches’ are a series of networking lunches on the theme of ‘My top ten business tips’ delivered by successful local business people and occurring once per month. Each lunch will outline the speakers’ views on a specific topic such as branding, export, retail and selling on line. 

These lunches take place in the Bistro in the Tower Hotel, Waterford from 12.30pm to 2pm. This series is also an appropriate way to introduce the new Local Enterprise Office in Waterford to local business people.

There is a considerable pool of business talent and experience in Waterford and the L.E.O. hopes to harness this expertise to inspire Waterford’s new and existing business people. 

Louise Grubb is the CEO and Founder of Q1 Scientific which was launched in 2013 to provide a world-class Environmentally Controlled storage facility servicing the Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences industries. Prior to Q1 Scientific, Louise was the Founder and Managing Director of Nutri Science Ltd, which develops nutraceuticals for the veterinary healthcare market. Nutri Science was a former winner of the Irish Exporters Award with exports throughout Europe. Louise holds honours BSc in Nutrition, a Master's Degree in Business Studies (International Marketing) and is a graduate of the Irish Marketing Institute.

Ciarán Cullen of the Local Enterprise Office in Waterford is particularly looking forward to hear Louise, “We worked with Louise a number of years ago when Nutri-science was growing and years later we also helped with the launch of Q1 Scientific. Louise is an excellent speaker and when it comes to start up businesses is always very generous with her time.”

The lunches are taking a break in August but return with Ronan Mulligan’s ’Top Ten Tips on technology in retail’ on September 18^th. 

Future speakers also include John Noonan of Flahavan’s and Grainne Walsh of Metalman Brewing.

The cost of these events is just €8.50. Booking is essential. For more information or to register your interest please contact your Local Enterprise Office in Waterford on 051-849905 or email info@leo.waterfordcouncil.ie .  

Local Enterprise Office to host event for trading on line voucher scheme

Pictured at the launch of the Digital Voucher Scheme, Margaret Durand (Dungarvan Enterprise Centre Manager), Tom Banville (Head of Wexford LEO), Pat Rabbitte TD (Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources) and Ciaran Cullen (Waterford LEO)

The Trading Online Voucher scheme is designed to help small companies to access the opportunities open to them through trading online.  This will help companies in Waterford City and County to access new markets so that they can grow and create more jobs.

Ciaran Cullen of the Local Enterprise Office in Waterford City emphasises the importance of the vouchers, “This scheme has evolved from and improves on any of the previous website funding available. It matches the current requirements for modern websites including the need for promotion via adwords.”

The Local Enterprise Offices (LEO) will be the key delivery partner working with the Department of Communications in implementing this scheme.  Waterford LEO will play a critical role in ensuring the success of this scheme, which is designed to develop and grow existing and new business in their area of responsibility. 

Minister Rabbitte commented on the voucher scheme: “Far too much on-line business goes to suppliers from abroad.  We want to ensure the companies who access government support to go on-line will get the most from it.  We are working with the Local Enterprise Office to up-skill their personnel.  We are helping them understand how digital impacts on logistics, marketing, search engine optimisation, payments and other aspects of small business.  This will help to ensure mentors and staff in each LEO will be well geared up to guide applicant companies all over Ireland to use the investment wisely, grow their businesses, start exporting and ultimately increase employment”

As part of the National Digital Strategy, on Thursday the 26th of June the Local Enterprise Office is hosting a free Digital Voucher Information morning in Dungarvan Enterprise Centre, from 8am to 1pm.  An expression of Interest form is available from your Local Enterprise Office in Waterford and Dungarvan. Attendance at this information morning is mandatory for your digital voucher application.

The Information morning will include items such as targeting customers on line, search engine optimisation and social media marketing.

The Digital voucher process is competitive and there are € 62,500 worth of vouchers available in Waterford for this Pilot phase. Applications will be processed during June and July.  An evaluation committee will meet in late July to decide on successful applicants.  Successful applicants will be informed in writing in late July and should not begin before receiving this letter as applying is not a guarantee of success.

There are only 50 places available for this event so even though the event is free, booking using the expression of interest form is essential.

For more information or to collect your expression of interest form please contact your Local Enterprise Office at 32 the Mall in Waterford City or the Civic Offices in Dungarvan. Alternatively you can email info@leo.waterfordcouncil.ie .  

Are you Waterford’s Best Young Entrepreneur?

L-R; Vincent Reynolds, Chairman of Local Enterprise Office, An Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Minister Richard Bruton for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation,  & Minister John Perry for Small Business

New competition launched to find Waterford’s Best Young Entrepreneur (Under 30) with investment of up to €25,000 available for winner.

Winners in Waterford will proceed to regional and national finals with aim of finding Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur

The Taoiseach and the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation launched a new competition to find Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur, with a total fund of €2million available to invest in winning businesses at entrepreneurs in every county in the country.

In Waterford the competition to find Waterford’s Best Young Entrepreneur will be run by the new Local Enterprise Office. Winners will be named in three categories – best new idea, best start-up, best new venture for established business – as well as an overall winner who will be Waterford’s Best Young Entrepreneur.

The Waterford Local Enterprise Office will have a total fund of €50,000 to invest in the three winning businesses, according to criteria including the prospects and investment needs of each business. The overall winner of Waterford’s Best Young Entrepreneur can receive an investment of up to €25,000.

Mentoring, marketing and other supports will also be available to participating businesses at various stages of the competition. 

Lar Power, Director of Economic Development, Waterford City and County Council believes this initiative is particularly important to Waterford, “Following the success of Waterford in the National Student Enterprise Awards this year I am looking forward to seeing what ‘under 30’ sector entrepreneurs in the City and County enter this competition. Waterford’s small business enterprises in particular require as much assistance as they can get and the new Local Enterprise Office in Waterford is fully prepared to help these young and innovative future entrepreneurs make their ideas turn into a commercial reality.”

Ciaran Cullen of the Local Enterprise Office complimented the scale of the competition, “This size of investment for these young start-up businesses is a significant statement of intent. The investment is more than just monetary, the boot camps, mentoring and national exposure will give the best of these entries the boost they require at this stage of their development.”

The competition is open to individuals aged 30 and under and will be judged under three distinct categories:

• ·         best new idea
• ·         best start-up business
• ·         best established business with new add-on

The first stage will be a county-based competition (run by the 31 LEOs) leading to the naming of the Best Young Entrepreneur in each county. This stage will include boot camps and mentoring programmes. This will be followed by regional finals and ultimately national finals with one business-person being crowned Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur before the end of the year.

There have been expressions of interest from television production companies on the possibility of covering the later stages of the competition in a reality TV format.

The aim of the initiative is to encourage and support a culture of entrepreneurship among young people in Ireland, to promote entrepreneurship as a career choice, and to encourage the establishment and development of new innovative businesses by Ireland’s young entrepreneurs. This is hugely important for job-creation as two thirds of all new jobs are generated by businesses in the first five years of existence – more start-ups and a thriving entrepreneurial culture will lead to more jobs being created.

This project is an integral part of the Action Plan for Jobs 2014 and is supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through the Local Enterprise Offices.

Applying is simple – go to localenterprise.ie or your Local Enterprise Office in Waterford City or Dungarvan – and the deadline is 30^th June 2014.

Top Ten Tip Lunches served up in Waterford

Mr. Ciaran Cullen, LEO Waterford and Mr. Des Whelan, WLRfm

‘Top Ten Lunches’ are a series of networking lunches on the theme of ‘Top Ten Business Tips' delivered by successful Waterford business people and occurring once per month.

These lunches take place in the Tower Hotel Waterford from 12.30pm to 2pm with the inaugural  lunch featuring Des Whelan of WLR fm.

This series is also an appropriate way to introduce the new Local Enterprise Office in Waterford to local business people.

Des Whelan, Managing Director of WLR fm was the first speaker in the series of lunches, with his ‘Top Ten Tips on branding your business’. Des is also founding shareholder and Director of Beat 102 – 103 and Radio Nova in Dublin. He is Chairman of Red fm in Cork, the Waterford Tall Ships Festival in 2011 and the Waterford Viking Marathon. His branding tips come from over 35 successful years’ experience in business.

 

The next speaker is Louise Grubb, founder of Nutri-science and Q1 Scientific. Louise will be giving her ‘Top Ten Tips for business expansion’ on Thursday July 3rd. Future speakers include Ronan Mulligan of Mulligan’s Pharmacy, John Noonan of Flahavan’s and Grainne Walsh of Metalman Brewing.

 

The cost of these events is just €8.50, this is for the cost of the lunch alone.  Booking is essential. For more information or to register your interest please contact your Local Enterprise Office in Waterford on

051-849905 or email info@leo.waterfordcouncil.ie .

Java Republic founder to address Local Enterprise Office Free Business Start - up seminar

David McKernan of Java Republic

David McKernan, Irish entrepreneur and founder of Java Republic is to speak at a Local Enterprise Office free business start-up information seminar in the Tower hotel onWednesday May 28^th.

All the economic signs show that Ireland is emerging from the financial crisis.  This means that there has not been a better time in years to investigate starting your own business.  With this in mind the new Local Enterprise Office for Waterford has organised Fresh Start, a free business start-up information seminar for those that have left education, been made redundant or about to be made redundant. 

The first Fresh Start seminar was held in September 2009, repeated in January 2011 and May 2013. The combined results of these events led to an estimated 320 jobs.  As one participant, Mary Doherty of Granny Maddox, said “The Fresh Start Seminar in January 2011 gave me the information and the motivation to get where I am today, self-employed, much busier and much happier.”

The key note speaker David McKernan is a persistent, passionate and high-spirited entrepreneur, who has inspired and irritated in equal measure throughout a successful career in coffee. He emerged from the cocoon of Bewley’s to found Java Republic Roasting Company in 1999: This innovative company quickly became one of Ireland’s most successful brands, and one of Europe’s leading coffee companies. Java Republic is notable for a distinctive vision: Premium, fresh handroasted coffee – with a conscience. 

From day one, David’s aim was to raise awareness of real coffee quality and to challenge abysmally low ethical standards in the coffee business. Both goals were soon achieved: Java Republic’s coffee has won multiple awards for taste and quality, while those who grow their coffee beans saw fairer prices, and improved living standards from direct aid and infrastructure projects.

Whilst stewarding Java Republic through some of the most challenging times any business could face, he developed a reputation as a motivational speaker and campaigner for physical fitness as a driver for positive mental health. David is an engaging, charismatic and entertainingly egotistical speaker, who connects with audiences like a perfectly poured espresso. With nearly 12 years of success in Ireland, David is now focussing on bringing his unique brand of superb coffee and straight talking to an international audience.

Other speakers include Ciaran Cullen of the Local Enterprise office in Waterford, Liam Murphy from the Department of Social Protection, Siobhan O'Callaghan from Irish Franchising Skillnet and Sarah Flynn, Unique Aquatics & Fitness, a local and successful product of last year’s start your own business course.

  

Ciarán Cullen of the Local Enterprise Office in Waterford, suggests that “this is a good time to start a business, while set-up costs are still low and there are very good supports in place.  In the Enterprise Office we are launching new ‘Start You Own Business’ and ‘RECON’ programmes in early June which will help any new business set the right course for a better future.” 

Fresh Start is free but registration is essential.  For more information or to register please contact your Local Enterprise Office in Waterford on 051-852883 or email info@leo.waterfordcouncil.ie .  

Waterford's Cathal takes top national student enterprise award

Jonathan Earl, B2B Communications, Jacqui Gaule and Ciaran Cullen, Waterford City Enterprise Board collecting National Student Enterprise Award on behalf of Cathal Daly

16 year old Cathal Daly, a transition year student at De la Salle College, Waterford, was announced as Senior Winner of the 12th Annual City and County Enterprise Boards Student Enterprise Awards National Finals in Dublin’s Croke Park.

Cathal's award winning company, “Upright Cycle Stands” produces hardwood cycle stands for bicycles with clipless pedals that hold the bicycle by the pedal so it does not touch the frame or rims of the bicycle. 

Organised by the County and City Enterprise Boards, a record-breaking 17,000 students from 370 schools have researched, set-up and managed their real-life businesses, as part of the biggest student enterprise programme in the country

Through their involvement, students learn important business skills, gain real-world experience and develop their commercial instincts. It also gives students;

•  practical, real life experience of setting up and running their own business

• the opportunity to think about entrepreneurship and self-employment as a viable career choice

and it: 

• enhances the teaching of business and entrepreneurship in schools by combining class room learning with real life experience

Judging of the awards centres on key business areas, including: business planning, market research, sales and marketing, financial management, innovation and enterprise.  Cathal receives an International enterprise education study visit to Lisbon as part of his prize.

Scandinavian students enjoy an enterprising visit to Waterford City

From March 24^th to 27^th 40 Norwegian and Swedish students and 5 teachers visited Waterford City on the invitation of Ciaran Cullen CEO (Acting), Waterford City Enterprise board. The students are studying a 3-year entrepreneurship program, this is the student’s 3^rd and last year and the Irish visit is the highlight of their year.

A full itinerary was planned for the group including visits to Waterford City enterprises, WIT, historical venues such as the Medieval Museum and on Tuesday March 25^th they attended a private morning seminar. Held at the Garden Room in the Medieval Museum, the seminar included talks by Eamonn McEneaney, Director of Waterford Treasures, Ciaran Cullen CEO (Acting) Waterford City Enterprise Board and the Norwegian Ambassador to Ireland, Roald Næss on Irish/Norwegian trade relations over the 1,100 years that Waterford has been a city.

This is the fifth year Waterford City Enterprise Board has hosted a Norwegian student group. Ciaran Cullen emphasised the importance of the visit, “We have spent a number of years developing friendships with Norway and hosting student groups. This is the second year Swedish students have also travelled."

"The total numbers have doubled in size in the past three years, which I believe is a testament to the success of the relationship. Our approach to enterprise development is a good example to the students and their enterprise teachers, and we have much to learn from them also” Mr. Cullen added.

The group took particular interest and learned much from visiting some of the Enterprise Board’s clients. These included a trip to the Kite Studios, Spraoi and Emerald Crystal where they learned how local enterprises start, grow and competed on a national and international stage. The most fun had to be the visit to WIT and TSSG were they partook in a ‘start your own business’ Pizza game, discovering the pitfalls and various stages of business growth.

Norwegian teacher, Anne Karin Sveinall described the importance of the visit, “I am delighted we have made this study visit a permanent fixture for our 3^rd grade entrepreneurship class. Ireland is in many ways similar to Norway, it is a small country with about 5 million inhabitants. Our students need to learn that Norway is a small country on the edge of Europe, and we depend heavily of the rest of Europe and the world. Many Norwegians seem to think that we will get along fine on our own because of the oil; this is definitely not the case. Not many have been to Ireland before, so this will open their eyes to what Ireland has to offer.”

The group returned home on Thursday March 27^th, tired from a full schedule but having learned much about Ireland and Waterford City’s entrepreneurial challenges and skills.

Enterprise Board keeps it in the Family

‘Keeping it in the family’ was a half day series of workshops and lectures organised by Waterford City Enterprise Board on the topic of succession planning for family businesses in Waterford City.

The morning opened with Bertie Rogers, Chairman of Waterford City Enterprise Board, welcoming the group and emphasising the importance of succession planning in modern Ireland. The rest of the morning included individual psychometric testing, a talk on ‘Change Management’ by Conor Morris of Evolve Training and Insights from Louis Grubb of Cashel Blue Cheese, a successful family business, on how they executed the transition process from generation to generation.

The range of businesses which attended the event was extremely diverse, from retail to manufacturing, child care to export, auto industry to food production which made for interesting debate during the workshops.

Tony Fitzgerald of Fitzgerald’s Menswear found the event motivating, “I have attended events like this before but none like this. The personality testing was an inspired idea and the intimacy of the group made the morning very productive.”

The event also featured the legal & financial implications of succession with talks from Clare Ryan of Peter O’Connor Solictors and Ann Grant from Ernst & Young.

Finally Ciaran Cullen CEO of Waterford City Enterprise Board explained how the Board can help those who wish to start the succession process via training and funding.

Mr. Cullen was pleased with the event and the feedback from its participants, “This is the first succession event we have organised in years and we are delighted with the change in format. As this topic is highly personal we decided to make it an intimate workshop style event. The feedback from the clients has been very positive. It is part of a five year process where we will assist the participants with funds, training and mentoring where required.”

Bakers use their loaf and prove they have what it takes to succeed!

M and D Bakery, the well known third generation family bakery was announced as the overall winner of the Waterford City Enterprise Awards and will go on to represent Waterford at the National Enterprise Awards which take place in Dublin Castle in November.

Founded by brothers Dermot and Michael Walsh, the bakery supplies a selection of baked “morning goods” to the households, shops, restaurants and hotels of Waterford.  However, M and D Bakery is probably best known for its production of a truly local delicacy, the blaa.

M and D Bakery has been a constant on the baking landscape in Waterford for almost thirty years and produces over 8,000 blaas a day.  More recently M and D Bakery spearheaded the drive, along with three local blaa bakers, to have the blaa safeguarded with a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI).  With PGI status the once humble Waterford blaa can anticipate a standing equal to that of Stilton Cheese or the Cornish Pasty.

Speaking of the enterprise award, Dermot Walsh said, “We are delighted and honoured to be acknowledged by Waterford City Enterprise Board.  When we started the business almost thirty years ago, our focus was to bring good quality bread products to the city and environs.”

“However, as demand for the blaa grew, particularly outside of Waterford we needed to innovate and invest in ways to make it “travel” friendly.  The blaa is simply made from flour, water, yeast and salt with no preservatives or artificial additives, thus it has a very short shelf life.”

“With assistance from Waterford City Enterprise Board we invested in a freezer room which allows us to blast freeze the blaas so we can supply them to the rest of the country, Northern Ireland, Great Britain and now France.”

“Even though it was the French Huguenots who introduced the blaa to Waterford in the 1690’s, we’re sending it back there in 2013!”

Organised by the County and City Enterprise Boards, the National Enterprise Awards recognise outstanding micro enterprises in Ireland.  Ciaran Cullen, CEO, Waterford City Enterprise Board is delighted to support M and D Bakery in their pursuit of new export markets.

 

“Dermot and Michael have shown that there are great opportunities for growth if you explore further afield.  The blaa, which was practically unknown outside of Waterford, can now be found in food stores, forecourts and restaurants across Dublin, Belfast, Britain and even as far as Paris.”

“The Walsh brothers are passionate about what they produce and they produce it well.  With accolades such as the 2010/11 Good Food Producer award, a Euro Toques Taste Award and Gold at the 2012 Blas na hEireann Awards, they will represent Waterford with pride at next months National Enterprise Awards.”

If you want to find out more about M and D Bakery visit www.manddbakery.ie or call 051 378080.  Alternatively if you have a business idea and want to find out more about capital financing, mentoring or start up assistance talk to Waterford City Enterprise Board on 051 852883 or www.waterfordceb.com.