Hi-Start: Just 12 Places on Management Development Programme
Get your business 'investor ready' by applying for the Hi-Start Management Development Programme - but hurry, as there are only twelve places on the programme.
The Hi-Start Management Development Programme assists ambitious, early stage, growth focused companies to identify and build the foundations required, to secure investment and Enterprise Ireland HPSU status as applicable.
Hi-Start has been developed and part-funded by the Dublin and Wicklow Enterprise Boards and Enterprise Ireland.
Now in its fifth year and with a new focus on 'investor readiness' the programme will run from March to November 2012 in Dublin.
Participation is limited to just 12 applicants who must:
- Have established customer need and demand for the products/service
- Demonstrate the potential to scale business internationally
- Be within 18 months of start-up
- Based in Dublin or Wicklow region
What is involved?
The six half-day workshops are designed to each contribute a key component to the development of the investor ready business plan. A related mentoring session will follow each training module to assist the participant with the specific outcomes required.
The mentoring will be delivered by an expert team of growth and investment strategists. The training will be delivered by the highly acclaimed world-class business development consultant John McMahon, Forum 21 Ltd.
Session 1: Strategy for Growth – The Framework
Thursday, March 1st, 9.00 – 17.30 (full day)
Focus on building a business strategy framework that can deliver the business owners ambitions and vision. Competitiveness, entrepreneurial capability, change management and management of business as usual elements will all be explored.
The framework will then be employed in the subsequent mentor session and in workshop two to guide the evolution of a detailed coherent strategy for each business.
Session 2: Strategy for Growth – The Detail
Monday, March 26th, 13.30 – 17.30 (half-day)
Participants will be supported in defining their current position, their medium-term vision or bull’s eye and the key development or change projects they must successfully undertake if they are to realise it.
These change projects are the essence of the business strategy. Detailed guidance and direct support for successful implementation will be given and will be a core focus of the remainder of the programme including mentor sessions.
Session 3: The Marketing Plan and Its Implementation
Monday, April 30th, 13.30 – 17.30 (half-day)
A six step framework will guide the development of detailed marketing plans including segmentation, marketing analysis, product, pricing, route to market and promotional (including sales) aspects, time and resource implications and action plan components. The session in tandem with subsequent mentoring will support each participant in developing the requisite detail.
Session 4: Entrepreneurial and Management Capability
Monday, May 28th, 13.30 – 17.30 (half-day)
Participants will be supported in identifying and exploiting their own strengths as entrepreneurs and any experience or skill gaps essential to the realisation of their ambitions. The role of investors, partners, advisers, key staff, non-executive directors in building and enhancing requisite capabilities will be explored together with incentivising of key individuals.
Session 5: The Financial Plan and Raising the Money
Monday, June 25th, 13.30 – 17.30 (half-day)
Developing and stress testing requisite financial projections, defining funding gaps and exploring all funding options including debt, equity and grant components, the advantages and disadvantages of each, sources of each and related timescales.
Session 6: The Trial Pitch
Monday, September 3rd, 13.30 – 17.30 (half-day)
Participants will present draft investor ready business plans and make trial investment pitches for feedback and comment from their entrepreneurial peers and the programme facilitator. Completion of investor ready business plan will be supported by subsequent mentoring.
Session 7: The Pitch
Monday, October 22nd, 10.30 – 17.30 (full day)
Presentation of business plan and formal pitch to Investment Panel (including Enterprise Ireland, Investors and County and City Enterprise Boards).
Session 8: Investor Networking Event
Monday, November 26th (evening)
Am I eligible?
Participation is limited to twelve companies. Applicants must meet the criteria below:
- Have established customer need and demand for the products/service
- Demonstrate the potential to scale business to the international market
- Be established no more than eighteen months
- Based in Dublin or Wicklow region
Training Venue
Clarion Liffey Valley Hotel, Dublin 22
How to apply?
Participation fee - €500 (includes all training and mentoring costs).
To apply, please contact angela@dlrceb.ie or by phone at (01) – 4948400.
Or contact Dublin City Enterprise Board by phone at (01) – 635 1144.