With their involvement in the IGA, it would be good to see a specialist Enterprise Ireland Internet growth fund that offers business/financial support as well as the specialist support of the IGA programme.

Regards, Padraig.

Hi Colm,

I think this initiative is a great idea. And I am looking forward to seeing it develop. I was very interested in your presentation at the IIA Congress as I want to bring my Business forward by trying to promote it in the UK market initially and then hopefully the International market. I have the co.uk and the .com of my domain names. I want to promote the Businesses on my site by expanding their market potential. I did apply for a Propel programme as a Startup but I think it is quite tough to try and get support for any businesses to do with retail. Even though the idea is to promote at present approx 60 businesses and that is growing weekly. I would love to get advice on how to move forward in tackling the UK market [on a shoestring :)].

Best of luck with this development,
Sian Maloney
http://www.twitter.com/giftsandvoucher

This looks to be a great idea. I have worked with many internet businesses over the years and run a couple myself. One of the most difficult stages in the startup phase is acquiring an Internet Merchant Account..... it's almost impossible for a startup. This is definitely an area that could be reviewed.... and is also within the interests of Realex Payments. I'd say they would increase their business substantially as people are forced to use Paypal instead, not ideal. Could the IGA help here in a practical manner. The process need to be easier, more clear and streamlined.

Thanks
Justin

Great idea - biggest challenge at this stage for most start ups is funding and getting access to this. We have done well to date on this front, but the next level of funding is different ball game of which advise and support is needed.

An entrepreneurs project review committee might be a nice idea, where the 'minnows' in entrepreneurial web development (like ourselves) would be able to showcase their fledgeling project or project in development to a review comittee (of you more successfull entrepeneurs) and get solid feedback, new ideas for improvement, advice on next stage business development, referrals to business networks and perhaps introductions to potentially interested business partners/investors.

If nothing else, it's offering free concentrated consultancy, a free think tank to drive further innovation and really help where business barriers might exist.

It's a big ask, and somewhat of a vocational request, but so is it appears just what 'The Alliance' seems to be about.

Jeremiah

I accidentally came across this but im interested, I have being trying to start an online business for the last year but finding it very difficult.
It would be great to have a specialist board who people could turn to for some support and direction

Thanks
DEan