AIB partners with CorkBIC to deliver Early stage SMEs

04 October, 2013

AxisBIC is delighted to announce that AIB has partnered with AxisBIC to deliver support and assistance to the development of the early stage SMEs. A key element of the partnership will be The Venture Academy® supported by AIB at the Going International Conference, October 16th in Fota. Over the 12 months of the partnership AxisBIC and AIB will be working with small to medium organisations as they look to grow and expand.

The Venture Academy®, proudly supported by AIB, takes place on the afternoon of October 16thwithin the Going International Conference.  It is a type of Dragons Den where 4 to 6 companies are selected to present their investment proposition to the audience. The Audience then vote on the most investible company to whom AIB will present the award. The 2012 Venture Academy® was won by OnePageCRM (www.onepagecrm.com) who has subsequently raised €575k in equity and created 12 new jobs.

Speaking at the launch of the partnership, John O’Doherty, Regional Director, AIB Cork said “SMEs are vital to the recovery of our economy and at AIB we are determined to provide SMEs with access to finance and also with initiatives that encourage growth and development such as the partnership with AxisBIC. We are delighted to support in The Venture Academy® and look forward to working with AxisBIC over the next 12 months, developing ways of supporting Next Generation SMEs.”

Pictured at the announcement were Michael O'Connor, AxisBIC; Minister Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine and John O'Doherty, AIB

This year the Going International Conference, forms an integral part of the Global Cork Economic Forum, and is part of Cork Rebel Week October 14th -20th 2013. The outcomes from the panel discussions, at the Going International Conference, will form part of the morning session on entrepreneurship and innovation at the Global Cork Economic Forum on Thursday 17th October.

An important element of the partnership between AxisBIC and AIB will be working closely with a certain number of SMEs who are growing and expanding at the moment and who have the potential to employ significant numbers in the not too distant future.

Michael O’Connor, CEO, AxisBIC also commented, “We are delighted to be working with AIB in these challenging times. The strength of the collective will give better results for early stage companies seeking to grow and expand.”