FUSION - Technology Transfer programme which creates partnerships between companies, third-level institutions and high-calibre science and technology graduates. The concept behind is FUSION is simple. The aim is to support the development of businesses across the island by transfering and embedding technology on a cross-border basis between industry and academia. The scheme achieves this by establishing and supporting three-way cross-border partnerships between companies with technology based development needs, research centres with specialist expertise and high calibre graduates qualitified within the past five years. Each scheme can last up to 24 months, giving the graduate time to make a real difference to the business. FUSION is open to both SME's and large companies. FUSION has enabled companies to innovate and improve their competitiveness by applying R&D excellence which has previously been unavailable to them.
MICROTRADE - This cross-border business development programme is for companies with 10 or less employees. Its aim is to help you become more profitable and competitive by finding new customers, suppliers, partners and distributors and to improve your knowledge and skills. This is achieved through link-up funding, new market entry funding, public sector tender training, network events and cross border business advice. One of the excellent courses offered by MICROTRADE is a two day course on Public Sector Tender Training, which includes a half day session from a consultant who will provide you with constructive feedback on previous or current tenders. Many companies have benefitted from this training and it has helped them win lucrative contracts.
ACUMEN - the new all-island InterTrade Acumen Programme provides participating companies with the market knowledge and practical support required to successfully break into and develop sales in the cross-border market. The programme concentrates exclusively on stimulating cross-border trade by assisting individual SME's with tailored consultancy and salary support mechanisms for market builders, in cross border markets in Ireland.
Further details of these and all the InterTrade Ireland programmes are available at www.intertradeireland.com