The Irish Business Innovation Centres support Ireland’s entrepreneurs and businesses via mentorship, assistance with applying for funding and growth programmes.
The Irish BICs (Business Innovation Centres), which support start-ups aiming to access funding, mentorship and specialised resources, have published an Impact Report.
Supported by Enterprise Ireland and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, for the first time, Ireland’s BICs, which are AxisBIC, Furthr, Propeller and WestBIC, have come together to formulate the results. It shows that between 2022 and 2024, more than 1,000 people have engaged with BICs across the country.
Additionally, during this period, the Impact Report also highlights the 143 successful pre-seed start fund applications (PSSF). 68pc of companies that were awarded PSSF funding nationally worked with the Irish BICs.
Furthermore, nearly 60pc of businesses who were awarded iHPSU (innovative High Potential Start-Up) status nationally also worked with the BICs, with 157 being successful.
Commenting on the news, the chair of the Irish BICs, Martin Murray of Furthr, said, “This impact report is important as it highlights the crucial role played by the Irish BICs in helping innovative start-ups to grow and develop into a successful enterprise.
“The four BICs have been providing invaluable support for more than three decades to start-ups right around the country. By coming together under the one umbrella, we are strengthening our message that our experienced mentors are on hand to help overcome all the challenges a new business faces.”
Conor O’Donovan, the head of start-ups and entrepreneurship at Enterprise Ireland added, “Enterprise Ireland partners with the BICs to accelerate the growth and development of ambitious Irish enterprises on their journey to compete and scale internationally.
“This report highlights the dynamic ecosystem in Ireland for supporting innovative startups such as Ground Wellbeing, Assiduous, Tailr and ByoWave. We hope their success inspires others to contact the BICs for assistance with developing their business proposition.”
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