Together, we collaborate to prepare founders for investment and growth, unlocking opportunities within our extensive network of partners, fellow entrepreneurs and investors.
At AxisBIC, our purpose is to ensure entrepreneurs grow and succeed. We identify innovative entrepreneurs and provide support and essential business expertise.
Most start-up businesses need external funding to get off the ground. Few of us have the financial capability to fund a good idea and those with experience know that the investment or funding required may be 2-3 times original expectations.
AxisBIC help start-ups to develop a well-tested business plan that identifies how to harness the opportunity and what funding might be required and plays a hands-on role helping each entrepreneur navigate the minefield of raising finance, sorting out business propositions and arranging agreements with shareholders and investors.
2022 was a record Investment year in AxisBIC with Investment of €16.7million in Startups by Investors in the Southwest of Ireland. These Angel Investors came predominantly from Cork based Boole Investments and Irrus Investments in Limerick. The total invested on the island of Ireland by Angel Investors in 2022 was €33million – half of which came from Investors in the Southwest of Ireland. The total investment raised (in the southwest) including VC and Enterprise Ireland was €50.5 million – a great year for Startups.
Angel Investment is a key element to ensuring the continued growth of Startups and Entrepreneurs. It is evident from the 2022 figures that Angel Investing is very strong particularly in the AxisBIC region.
AxisBIC run regular investor pitching sessions to qualified investors and seasoned entrepreneurs in a confidential and supportive environment. Check out our Events section or get in touch to find out when the next event is.
Most recently AxisBIC welcomed over 50 Investors to Cork City to hear 7 Startups pitch for €6.5 million at the 2023 Venture Academy. The Startups came from various industries including Medtech, Automotive, Remote learning, Retrofitting Houses Personal Data & Automated reporting. Dr Paul Byrnes founder of DataMinfo was named the Most Investible Startup by a panel of Judges. The Venture Academy™ is part of the Growth Pathway Programme which is run by AxisBIC with partners Cork City Council & Cork County Council.
(Pictured above at the 2023 Venture Academy: Martin Corkery, Enterprise Ireland; Shemas Eivers, Boole Investment Syndicate; Larry O'Donoghue, AxisBIC; Kate Popova Everywhere English; Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Neale Richmond TD; Becky Popova, Everywhere English and Dr Niall O'Keeffe, Cork City Council)
AxisBIC also work closely with Enterprise Ireland clients on their PSSF (Pre-Seed Start Fund) Application as well as running a 12 week Prep4 Seed Investor Ready Programme with the Irish BICs and Enterprise Ireland
For further details or if you are a company looking to raise finance please contact Dan Murphy at dmurphy@corkbic.com
To read some client case studies click on CLIENTS
To fund a business plan there are a myriad of investment possibilities from Angel Investors, VCs, tax rebates and exemptions, to grants, loans, equity investments and hiring incentives. AxisBIC can help and advise the entrepreneur to choose the best option for them and their start-up business.
Smart Investment is the key to the success and development of a High Growth start-up and remember Ireland is still probably the best place in Europe and the USA to start a business due to the quality and range of supports.
Raising Finance - Incentives to start and grow a business in Ireland Download a copy of this document