Here's an update on what's happening in relation to acting on the three issues of Expertise, Funding and Network. (This has been sent in a newsletter to those people who have subscribed - if you haven't, you on the feedback page).

Expertise

We are delighted to comfirm that Enterprise Ireland have agreed to create and run an Internet Growth Acceleration Programme. This is a multi module development programme that will run over several weeks covering everything from strategy, monetising your web application, SEO, how to seek funding etc. It will give participants an opportunity to get a deep understanding of these issues and help businesses to formulate aggressive growth plans.

Many business advisors are supporting the Internet Growth Acceleration Programme and each participant will have an advisor assigned for the duration of the course.

The first draft of the course content and selection criteria is about to be reviewed by the Alliance. The application process is likely to start in July. It is the most comprehensive internet development programme undertaken to date. Funding within Enterprise Ireland has been approved. We expect significant interest.

Funding

The Internet Growth Alliance will meet again on July 10th and we will discuss the issue of funding. Work has already commenced on the various and numerous options that are possible. The overall aim is to find a practical way for a large number of early stage internet businesses to get access to relatively small amounts of funding. The aim of these early investments and/or grants is to achieve strategic milestones and not necessarlity revenue. We could do with more help on this and if you are interested in this specific issue please contact us.

Network

Finally on the issue of network, we are looking to design and run an event in the late summer where budding internet entrepreneurs can meet with one another and also with some seasoned internet business people. Again if you have ideas about the format of this please email us. (thanks Topgold for that idea).

Colm Lyon