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Cool Enough to be in the Hothouse?

CategoryBusiness

DateWednesday, July 01, 2009

Author

Cool Enough to be in the Hothouse?

Dublin Institute of Technology Begin Selection Process for Entrepreneurs to Join Successful Hothouse Venture Programme

Dublin Institute of Technology has launched its drive to find 16 graduate entrepreneurs with industry experience and a technology-based business idea to participate in The Hothouse Venture Programme.

Hothouse is the award winning Innovation and Technology Transfer office. It draws in entrepreneurs and academic talent and provides an exciting and dynamic environment which is designed to provide entrepreneurs that have knowledge-intensive technology based products or business ideas with the expertise, networks and tools they need to start, develop and fast-track highly successful sustainable global companies.

The Hothouse Venture Programme is a one-year training and support programme funded by the Department of Education and Science. Specifically it offers a number of supports to budding entrepreneurs to develop the necessary entrepreneurial skills and extend their practical business knowledge, including management training and business counselling, access to funding, investment and networking opportunities as well as a range of office facilities.

Since the comprehensive support and incubation programme was established in 2001, Hothouse has supported over 200 entrepreneurs at the early stages of business development including TNS MediaMarket, IQ Content, Movidia, Cicero Networks, Allergy Standards, myaddress.ie, micksgarage.ie and lookandtaste.com (formerly ifoods.tv). Participating companies have attracted more than Euro46 million in external investment and funding, and according to a recent survey of past participant companies, 145 companies had created in excess of 950 high value jobs. Recent success stories include a Web 2.0 location based buddy finding service, Locle, and a mountain and sea rescue management service Decisions for Heroes.

Speaking at the launch of the drive for applications, Hothouse Innovation Centre Manager, Bernadette O'Reilly (pictured) explained that while applications to the programme were often oversubscribed, the calibre of submissions is extremely high.

She said, "In the current economic environment we have seen a surge in the number of entrepreneurs developing high end technology based services which have significant growth potential in a global context. The programme seeks to assist people who have got past the initial feasibility phase and are seeking to bring their businesses to the next level".

The deadline for submission of applications is Friday 31st July with the programme commencing on Thursday 24th September 2009.

Visit the website: www.hothouse.ie