AxisBIC Offers A Firm Commitment To Entrepreneurs In Clare And Limerick

Image caption: AxisBIC officially launches its services in Clare and Limerick. Larry O’Donoghue, CEO, AxisBIC; Leo McAdam, Divisional Manager Investment Services, Enterprise Ireland; Gillian Barry, TUS; and David Jefferys, former CEO & founder of ActionPoint. Pic: Keith Wiseman  

Formerly known as CorkBIC, the organisation officially launches its services and vision for high potential start-ups in the region.  

AxisBIC, formerly known as CorkBIC, has officially expanded its territory and is dedicating local resources to supporting start-ups in Clare and Limerick.  The organisation announced a new name and brand to reflect the expansion of its services.

AxisBIC has been driving innovation and fostering the growth of start-ups in Cork and Kerry for more than 35 years. The team provides support and essential business expertise to entrepreneurs and prepares them for investment and growth.

The organisation has an extensive network of partners including Enterprise Ireland, local authorities, third level institutions, government agencies, local businesses and professional services.

The official launch in Clare and Limerick was announced at an event in Engine in Limerick City last Friday (June 21st).  

Leo McAdams, Divisional Manager Investment Services, Enterprise Ireland said; “AxisBIC has been at the forefront of driving entrepreneurial innovation in the Munster region for more than three decades and it is great to see that dedication and commitment being expanded to Clare and Limerick.  There is a wealth of ideas in this region and AxisBIC will continue to develop and nurture these to becoming successful businesses of the future.”

Some of the companies that have worked with AxisBIC include Crest Solutions, Workvivo, Populo, Aventamed, Abtran and many others.

The event in Limerick was also an opportunity to showcase some of the High Growth Startups that AxisBIC has worked with as part of the Growth Pathway programme.

AxisBIC CEO Larry O’Donoghue commented; “AxisBIC has worked with start-ups in Clare and Limerick, but this is the first time that we will have dedicated BIC resources on the ground in this region.  Today’s launch event reflects our vision to unlock the potential within our region, empowering high growth innovators to drive positive impact. With this expansion, we look forward to developing many successful high potential startups and growing our partnerships into the future .”

Keynote speaker Brian Crowley, Director of Broadlake, was joined by fellow entrepreneurs Paul Byrnes, founder Mavarick; David Jeffreys, former CEO ActionPoint; and Adem Ergen, founder OneBill.

Clare native Brian Crowley founded the TTM Healthcare Group with its HQ in Ennis before joining forces with Broadlake where he works with entrepreneurs and helps established businesses scale.

He said; “It can be extremely daunting for anyone starting out in business as they attempt to develop their idea into a thriving company.  There are so many obstacles to overcome and it’s important to have support from people such as the team at AxisBIC who can help entrepreneurs as they navigate their journey to success.”

AxisBIC has also announced that applications for the next Entrepreneur Experience are now open. This is a unique event for 24 high growth and scaling entrepreneurs to gain access, advice and mentoring from 24 of Ireland’s most successful business leaders over 24 hours.  

The 2024 Entrepreneur Experience will take place on Friday and Saturday, October 18th and 19th in Ballymaloe, Co Cork.

Since 2009, 300 emerging entrepreneurs from ten countries have participated and €120 million investment has been raised by 90 companies.

ENDS

For more information, please contact:
Fiona Corcoran, Healy Communications on behalf of AxisBIC
087 052 1488  or  fiona@healycommunications.ie

Notes to editor

• In 2023, 17 of AxisBIC’s client companies were awarded Enterprise Ireland’s HPSU (High potential Startups) status. This is a record number of HPSUs from the South-West and Mid-West of Ireland. HPSUs are Ireland’s stand-out high growth startups, focused on scaling and exporting to international markets.

   

• AxisBIC is currently involved in strategic EU projects and is one of 19 partners in the €20 million EU funded ‘Seeds of Bravery’ project that supports Ukrainian Startups impacted by the war in Ukraine.

   

• AxisBIC has a long history of working with startups and entrepreneurs in Clare and Limerick working with partners in Enterprise Ireland, TUS, UL, Nexus, New Frontiers as well as working closely with the Irrus Investment Syndicate. This official expansion enables them to dedicate local resources to identify innovative entrepreneurs and provide support and essential business expertise. 

   

• AxisBIC was a founding member of HBAN, The Halo Business Angel Network and ran the network in the South-West and Mid-West for 17 years, finishing in 2022 with over €33 million of Angel Investment into Irish high growth startups, and continue to run the Boole Investment Syndicate based out of Cork.

   

• AxisBIC is an EU|BIC and member of the European BIC Network - EBN

   

• AxisBIC is a member and plays an active role in EBAN, the European Business Angel Network and brought their Annual Congress of over 300 investors and entrepreneurs to Cork in 2022.