Genesis Programme Shortlisted for major EU Award
Genesis Programme Shortlisted for EU Award
Genesis Enterprise Programme, Cork Institute of Technology nominated for the EU’s European Enterprise Awards 2010.
Based in the Rubicon Centre, Cork Institute of Technology, the Genesis Enterprise Programme to develop entrepreneurs has been short-listed for the EU's European Enterprise Awards 2010.
Representing Ireland, Genesis fought off stiff competition from more than 330 projects from 28 European countries to become one of just 12 short-listed nominees for this year's award.
The Genesis Enterprise Programme is a 12 month rapid incubation programme to provide support and management skills development for entrepreneurs establishing knowledge based start-ups in the South West region of Ireland.
Its holistic approach to the incubation process brings together partners from Higher Education, Enterprise Ireland, County Enterprise Boards and other public bodies to lend support to new companies. It has had an outstanding success rate with 79% of the participants to date still in business.
"We are delighted to be short-listed", said Genesis Programme Manager Denise Kennedy. "It means our methods of supporting entrepreneurs and enabling innovation was recognised for it’s focused client-centred approach".
Michael Delaney, Vice President of Cork Institute of Technology said “The recognition that the European Enterprise Awards brings to our efforts will be invaluable and we are proud to represent Ireland on a European stage. Genesis was first developed and piloted by CIT over 12 years ago with support from the Department of Education & Science and Enterprise Ireland. The European Enterprise Awards allows us to benchmark our efforts against best practice throughout Europe and will ensure that we continue to deliver for our client companies here.”
Micheál Martin, TD, Minister for Foreign Affairs, congratulated the Genesis team at CIT saying “Over the last 12 years, I have witnessed the contribution of Genesis as a catalyst for the creation of a vibrant entrepreneurial community in the South West Region of Ireland who are now delivering Ireland’s development into a Smart Economy. Genesis is a flagship in its commitment to innovation and best practice by continually evolving its unique approach to entrepreneurial development and sharing its approach and experiences with sister programmes in other regions around Ireland.”
Genesis is operated by Cork Institute of Technology and its success can be attributed to a unique partnership approach, bringing together relevant business support and government agencies in the region – all working together to enable entrepreneurs to establish sustainable businesses. At the same time, each of these partners has also benefited in reaching their own objectives – developing a new generation of entrepreneurial graduates and business leaders; embedding an entrepreneurial culture within the campus environment; transferring knowledge and innovation between academia and enterprise, creating a strong cluster of high potential start-ups in the region. Partners in the Genesis Programme include University College Cork, Enterprise Ireland, the four Cork City & County Enterprise Boards, Údarás Na Gaeltachta, and Cork BIC.
The European Enterprise Awards are organised annually by the EU Commission to identify and reward excellence among public authorities in promoting entrepreneurship and small business at national, regional and local level.
This year, more than 330 projects competed in national competitions in 28 European countries for the European Enterprise Awards 2010. The 53 selected entries were reviewed by the Awards jury which shortlisted 12 nominees in 5 categories. The Winners will be announced on 31 May 2010 at an award ceremony in Madrid.
Full information about the awards, the jury and its collaborators can be found HERE.
Full information on the Genesis Enterprise Programme can be found at www.gep.ie where applications for the new 2010/11 Genesis Enterprise Programme, which commences in May 2010 are currently being accepted.
