Pat Phelan: Bits, bytes and telecomsA little bit of everything

I am absolutely thrilled to see the launch today of iGap (The Internet Growth alliance).
“The “Internet Growth Alliance” is a business led initiative that aims to support, in a practical way the international growth ambitions of Irish Internet businesses. We believe that the Irish Internet industry is a key area of potential growth opportunity. There are many excellent role models, experts and associations involved in the industry”
So why the big excitement?
1. Ireland needs this, we need to think outside the box at this stage and this excellent programme has bought together an incredible bunch of people whom Irish start-ups would seldom has access to.
2. The program was conceived by one of my friends Colm Lyon of Realex.
3. I am an advisor to the program.
Full release below
The IGA and Enterprise Ireland are delighted to announce the launch of the Internet Growth Acceleration Programme. This is a new multi-module programme for Irish Internet businesses that wish to grow internationally. It runs over six months allowing participants to complete a deep and intensive review of their internet businesses, resulting in a finale at which each participant will make a pitch to some of the IGA advisors who have pledged to refund the fees for at least four of the participants! Download the pdf here.

The programme has been developed and is being run by Enterprise Ireland – see http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/igap for the application process.
International and local instructors will be involved as will the business advisors from the IGA giving participants the chance to network with both experienced and emerging internet entrepreneurs. Competition for places on this programme is likely to be intensive and interested candidates are advised to apply as soon as possible. Download the full details here.

An excellent brochure on the program is available here.