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Benefits of the Programme

The Genesis Enterprise Programme is a full time programme designed to provide an integrated and comprehensive set of business development and financial supports to graduates of third-level colleges who are currently in employment and wish to start their own businesses.

By developing the entrepreneurial skills of the participants and helping them realise the full potential of their businesses, the risk involved in setting up a business is reduced and the focus is on the development of scalable, high growth businesses. Genesis provides the following supports:

Business Planning & Accelerated Development

A key output for each participant in the programme is an investor ready business plan summarizing the business model and how the participant intends to organize their entrepreneurial endeavor (marketing, financial, operational and human resources) and implement activities against a timeline necessary and sufficient for the venture to succeed in achieving sales and profitability. It is in the process of business planning that the participant gains an understanding of the business and of the options available.

With the assistance of various experts and advisors, participants identify the business milestones critical for the success of their venture and the means to their achievement. Throughout the year, progress against these milestones are monitored, impediments tackled and successes celebrated to keep the entrepreneur focused on the accelerated development of their venture.

Incubation Facilities

Desk space for participants is provided in the Rubicon Centre and in affiiliated incubation centres.

The Incubation Centres provide participants with fully supported, ready to go business accommodation, designated business phone number, high speed internet access, meeting room facilities and office support services (canteen, reception, shared services etc.)

Hot Desk facilities in the Incubation Centres can be arranged for participants who wish continue working from their own premises and avail of the facilities of the Centre intermittently.

Further access is enabled for Genesis participants to the library and research facilities of the programme's academic partners, Cork Institute of Technology and University College Cork.

Each participant is issued with student number and student card for Cork Institute of Technology.

Funding Access

A Genesis Participant may receive funding via a CORD (“Commercialisation of Research & Development) grant from Enterprise Ireland. Subject to a participant's eligibility for Enterprise Ireland's CORD support, this funding enables a participant to bring their remuneration up to 50% of previous year's verifiable (P60/P45) salary (up to a maximum of EUR 38,000). Acceptance onto the Genesis programme does not guarantee CORD eligibility. Assistance in making a separate application to Enterprise Ireland is provided. Further information is available from Enterprise Ireland's website. Participants are also assisted in pursuing funding for market research; product trials/market assessment; establishing links with potential joint venture partners; cost analysis and financial projections.

Business Training & Personal Development

To develop the commercial acumen, capability and knowledge of participants, an extensive group training programme is included in all areas of business development such as the business planning, taxation, marketing, finance etc. The training programme amounts to approximately 30 days of support delivered using a variety of supports including:

  • Classroom Training
  • Workshops
  • 1:1 Consultancy Clinics

The training sessions are delivered by experienced entrepreneurs and respected professionals.

Mentoring & Counselling

  • Mentor Network Service:
    (http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/CommonPages/mentor_programme.htm)
    Taking account of the business size, stage of development and the business sector in which a participant operates, each participant is matched with an experienced individual Mentor who has the appropriate business experience and knowledge to give guidance that is fully focused on the issues and priorities of the individual participant. Participants can avail of to 9 meetings over a year with the Mentor whose role is to listen and advise, to suggest options and help you to prioritise opportunities.

  • Counseling: Regular reviews and counseling on business strategy & development from a panel of experienced business people.

  • On Demand & Individual Business Coaching from the experienced Genesis Programme Manager

Network Building

  • Genesis Network: The opportunity to learn from your peers and those that have gone ahead of you through the Genesis Entrepreneur Network.

  • Connectivity: Connection to the business community, support agencies and access to professional services such as accountants, legal advice and venture capitalists.