The Genesis Enterprise Programme has been in operation since 1998. The focus of the Genesis Enterprise Programme is to provide a package of supports to entrepreneurs in the South West Region in accelerating the development of their business.

Businesses from diverse sectors have participated on the programme in the past including Food, Information Technology, Biotech, Telecommunications, Renewable Energy, Medical Device and Automotive. The key criteria for eligibility are that the business is knowledge based and has export potential.

The Programme is currently funded by the Department of Education and Science and many of the participants are supported financially by Enterprise Ireland, by way of a CORD grant that can provide 50% of previous years salary (up to a maximum support of €30,000).  

The Genesis Enterprise Programme is administered by the Cork Institute of Technology in partnership with 8 other regional and national organisations, University College Cork, Enterprise Ireland, the 4 Enterprise Boards (Cork City, Cork North, South Cork, West Cork),Údarás Na Gaeltachta, and Cork BIC.

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 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
• Incubation Facilities
• Funding
• Business Training & Personal Development
• Mentoring & Counselling
• Network Building

For further information on the Genesis Programmes contact:

Denise Kennedy - + 353 21 4928916

Website - www.gep.ie