About Intertradeireland
InterTradeIreland: Helping SMEs Grow Across the Island
InterTradeIreland is a leading organization that provides practical cross-border business funding, intelligence, and contacts to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the island. With over 20 years of experience in supporting businesses, InterTradeIreland has become a trusted partner for companies looking to expand their operations and reach new markets.
The organization was established in 1999 as a joint initiative by the Irish and British governments with the aim of promoting cross-border trade and collaboration between businesses in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Since then, InterTradeIreland has helped thousands of SMEs to grow their businesses by providing them with access to funding, expertise, networks, and market intelligence.
One of the key services offered by InterTradeIreland is its funding programs. The organization provides financial support to SMEs through various schemes such as Innovation Vouchers, Seedcorn Business Competition, Elevate Programmes for Female Entrepreneurs etc. These programs are designed to help companies develop new products or services, improve their competitiveness or enter new markets.
Innovation Vouchers are one such program that helps SMEs access expertise from universities or research organizations on specific business challenges they face. This program offers vouchers worth up to €5k which can be used towards research projects aimed at improving product development or process innovation.
Seedcorn Business Competition is another popular program run by Intertradeireland which aims at identifying innovative start-ups with high growth potential across all sectors on the island of Ireland. The competition offers cash prizes worth €280k along with expert mentoring support from industry experts who help these start-ups refine their business plans before pitching them in front of investors.
Elevate Programmes for Female Entrepreneurs is an initiative launched recently by Intertradeireland aimed at supporting female entrepreneurs who want to scale up their businesses but face barriers like lack of access to finance or networks. The programme offers a range of supports including mentoring, training, and networking opportunities to help female entrepreneurs overcome these barriers and grow their businesses.
Apart from funding programs, InterTradeIreland also provides market intelligence services to SMEs. The organization has a team of experts who provide insights into market trends, consumer behavior, and regulatory changes that can impact businesses operating in different sectors. This information helps SMEs make informed decisions about their business strategies and identify new opportunities for growth.
InterTradeIreland also offers networking opportunities to SMEs through various events such as trade shows, seminars, workshops etc. These events provide an opportunity for companies to meet potential customers or partners from across the island and explore new business opportunities.
In conclusion, InterTradeIreland is a valuable resource for SMEs looking to expand their operations across the island of Ireland. With its range of funding programs, market intelligence services and networking opportunities it has helped thousands of businesses grow over the years. If you are an SME looking for support in scaling up your business or exploring new markets then InterTradeIreland is definitely worth considering as your partner in growth!