Supported by South Eastern Regional College (SERC), entrepreneurs and businesses in the south-east region of Northern Ireland can now avail of two recently launched innovative digital development programmes: Digital Pre Start and Digital Grow.
Entrepreneurs or individuals with an idea for a digital business can now access support through the exciting new Digital Pre-Start programme which will provide entrepreneurs with support to develop a digital business idea in order to maximise their potential to successfully start-up.
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Pictured at the recent launch of the innovative digital development programmes; Digital Pre Start and Digital Grow programme are Mary Young – Invest NI, Laura Kavanagh – Southern Regional College, Daryl Conway – Digital SEED Champion, Therese Rafferty – Banbridge District Council, John McCallister – MLA, Madame Chairman Cllr Marie Hamilton, James Gumble SERC and Elaine McAllinden Banbridge District Council.[/caption]
Essentially it will equip those who wish to start a digital business with the appropriate knowledge, skills, expertise and contacts to do so. Businesses seeking to grow with the help of digital platforms can now avail of a blend of support through the Digital Grow programme. The programme is designed for businesses that already incorporate digital technologies, helping them to enhance existing digital presence to enable them to achieve further growth and access new markets. Both programmes provide a blend of support including a practical workshops as well as tailored one to one mentoring.
Mark Bleakney, Invest Northern Ireland’s Southern Regional Manager, said: “The digital industry is recognised as a key sector in driving economic growth. The Digital Pre-Start programme is designed to offer entrepreneurs, with an idea for a digital business living in the SEED council area, access to tailored support to get started.
The Digital Grow programme is designed to equip business in the SEED council area with the knowledge and skills needed to incorporate digital technologies into their growth plans. I would encourage as many businesses and entrepreneurs as possible to take advantage of this opportunity.”
The Digital Pre Start programme is available to anyone interested in starting a digital business located within one the SEED Council areas and the Digital Grow is available to any existing micro or small to medium sized digital business also located within one the SEED council areas. The SEED Council areas include; Ards, Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon, Down, Newry & Mourne District and North Down Borough.
The programmes are both part funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund under the Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland, is an initiative of South East Economic Development (SEED) partnership.
For further information or to apply for the programme, please contact James Gumble SERC IT Consultant via email at:
jgumble@serc.ac.uk
or call James on 028 9262 6777.
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