Top 20 Best Small Business Ideas for 2023 (Updated)

Top 20 Best Small Business Ideas for 2017

One of the biggest mistakes most entrepreneurs make is to spend more than they need to on unnecessary costs including technology and equipment. Remember that your business is SMALL and focus on building a profit first, and then look to scale, expand, and automate.

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SFA National Small Business Awards 2014 finalists announced

Paul Rawlins, founder of Celtic Rider

SFA National Small Business Awards 2014 finalists announcedPaul Rawlins, founder of Celtic Rider, a finalist in the awards Thirty five companies across seven categories have been announced as finalists in the SFA National Small Business Awards 2014. Some companies, such as The Pallet Network, Clevamma, Timbertrove, Ryan’s Cleaning and Celtic Rider Motorcycle Rental have been finalists or winners before, but most of the finalists are newcomers. They include Laois Sawmills in Co Laois and Spectac International in Co Louth in the Manufacturing Category; Bfree Foods and Urban Picnic both from Dublin in the Food & Drink category and Monaghan Music & Piano Centre and The Blessington Bookstore in the Outstanding…

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InterTradeIreland Unlocks Public Sector Opportunities for SMEs

Business and Leadership Ltd.

The InterTradeIreland all-island Meet the Buyer event held November 8, 2012 in Kilkenny attracted over 500 SMEs who were keen to gain information on how to unlock a public sector procurement market worth up to €20bn. The event held in Kilkenny was opened by Minister John Perry TD, Minister of State for small business. The event provided an opportunity for buyers and suppliers alike to meet and engage in one location. SMEs gained access to buyers to better understand their needs and got an opportunity to showcase new and innovative products and services. InterTradeIreland’s all island Meet the Buyer events are designed to raise awareness and understanding of the public procurement market. In Kilkenny specifically SMEs gained…

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14 Start-ups NDRC’s LaunchPad VII

Business and Leadership Ltd.

Fourteen start-ups are participating in the latest round of the NDRC’s accelerator programme, LaunchPad VII, which begins this week. According to the NDRC , the participants beat off stiff competition and were chosen from a field of 100 applicants. Each of the start-ups will undergo an intensive 12-week programme in NDRC where they will receive hands-on mentoring and support from some of the most seasoned practitioners across the board. At the end of the three months, they will then compete in the ‘Lift Off’ competition for follow-on investment, sourced from venture capitalists and private investors. LaunchPad provides up to €20,000 per start-up in pre-seed investment during the programme, and over 100 start-ups…

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Closing Date for Entrepreneur of the Year Approaching

Business and Leadership Ltd.

Ernst & Young has made its final call for nominations to this year’s Entrepreneur of the Year (EOY) programme, the closing date for which is 30 March. Now in its 15th year, the EOY programme continues to acknowledge the achievements of entrepreneurs from across the island of Ireland. Following the announcement of a shortlist of 24 finalists in May, participants will go to a CEO retreat to Silicon Valley and the televised Entrepreneur of the Year Gala Awards Night will take place in October. The overall winner of the 2012 award will also go forward to represent Ireland at the World Entrepreneur Of The Year finals 2013 where he or she will…

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Agile Networks Predicts 20pc Sales Increase

Agile Networks managing director Darragh Richardson

Dublin-based company Agile Networks is predicting a 20pc increase in sales for 2015, further to reporting revenue growth of 55pc for 2014. The company designs, builds, and supports IT networks across 1,300 sites that support 1.3 million end users.

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15 Digital Start-ups Named for Launchpad Programme

Business and Leadership Ltd.

Following an intense competition, 15 high-potential digital start-ups have been identified from a field of almost 100 applicants for the NDRC Launchpad acceleration programme, NDRC Launchpad will culminate in a year-end Liftoff competition for a follow-on investment sourced from venture capitalists and private investors.

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Closing Date for Entrepreneur of the Year Entries

Frank O'Keeffe, Partner in Charge of the EoY Programme pictured with sponsors Liam Kavanagh, Irish Times, Terri O'Donnell, Invest NI and Tom Hayes, Enterprise Ireland

Closing date for Entrepreneur of the Year entries coming upFrank O’Keeffe, Partner in Charge of the EoY Programme pictured with sponsors Liam Kavanagh, Irish Times, Terri O’Donnell, Invest NI and Tom Hayes, Enterprise Ireland The closing date for nominations for the 2013 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year is this coming Sunday, 31 March. Frank O’Keeffe, Ernst & Young’s partner-in-charge of the programme, said that this year it wanted entrepreneurs from across the island of Ireland to “truly test their horizons”. “Even in these most challenging times, entrepreneurs are constantly looking for opportunities to grow through innovation and technology, and it is their unparalleled vision and capacity to adapt to the…

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Agile Networks Gets €80k Grant from Fingal CEB

Agile Networks gets €80k grant from Fingal CEB Darragh Richardson of Agile Networks and Oisin Geoghegan, Fingal CEB

Agile Networks gets €80k grant from Fingal CEBDarragh Richardson of Agile Networks and Oisin Geoghegan, Fingal CEB A start-up company specializing in network integration, Agile Networks , is getting grant assistance of €80,000 from Fingal County Enterprise Board. Agile Networks was formed following a management buy-out last November of the Irish operations of Telindus. The Blanchardstown-based company provides professional services to large public sector bodies, multinationals, and export-oriented Irish companies. The Business Priming Grant of €80,000 ensures that six high-value jobs are retained and will also help to create another full-time job and two long-term contract posts, as the company planned to meet growing customer demand in 2012. “These jobs are centered…

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