By Business & Finance 
Pictured at the launch of the 2014 bursary are contributors (L-R): Renate Murphy, CAMEO Communications; Siobhan Finn, Cork innovates; Mary Power, Westboro Partners; Sharon O’Donoghue, Brook Catering.
Cork innovates, the award-winning initiative to drive entrepreneurship in the Cork region, has created just such an opportunity for startups and businesses with the launch of a €30,000 bursary.
The bursary will provide the winning company with a suite of services from advertising, financial advice, mentoring, PR, mobile and data packages, Cork Chamber membership supports, along with a cash investment, all to the value of €30,000.
“Driving entrepreneurship is at the heart of Cork innovates, and this bursary process and fund rewards innovation and supports business growth for startups and SMEs in the region,” said Siobhan Finn, project director, Cork innovates.
Chairman of Cork innovates, Anthony O’Mara added that, “companies of all sectors and size are welcome to enter this unique business competition. From startups to companies less than 5 years in business, Cork innovates wants to show our support to entrepreneurs and embrace the passion for business within this region”.
“The support for Cork innovates from our sponsors, businesses and organisations is a wonderful endorsement of the Region’s support for innovation and entrepreneurship and shows the committed to entrepreneurial growth that Cork innovates embodies,” he added.
The Cork innovates bursary, now in its third year, has already succeeded in supporting Irish businesses to develop significantly. Previous winners of the Cork innovates bursary include Dee O’Leary of IDME Wristbands, who is now working with US counterparts to bring IDME to the US market and James Duggan of Funmanway, a successful entertainment complex in West Cork.
“On entering the Cork innovates bursary, I knew it would help propel my business to the next level. What I hadn’t counted on was the true value of the bursary in terms of my business strategy and development, and the impact of the bursary success on IDME. The prestige of the win has opened many doors, not just in Cork but nationally and internationally,” said Dee O’Leary of IDME.
The Cork innovates bursary is now open for applications, and the deadline for entry is September 12th. Visit www.corkinnovates.com to be in with a chance to win €30,000 bursary for your business.
