Dublin drops out of top 50 in ranking of best cities for start-ups
The Republic of Ireland has fallen four places to 18th spot in an international ranking of the best countries for start-ups, with Dublin dropping out of the top 50 cities. The rankings were compiled by using algorithms that analyse thousands of data points on early-stage companies, accelerators and co-working spaces to rank 1,000 cities and 100 countries in terms of their start-up ecosystems. According to the [...]
Ibec calls for a €15bn boost in State supports for struggling business
Ibec says the Government needs to step up its pandemic budget plans and to develop more a more ambitious long-term investment plan and social contract. The call came as Ireland faced its second major economic crisis in less than a decade and one that could leave a long shadow of shuttered businesses and workers without jobs due to the impact of the coronavirus lockdown. "While [...]
Emergency loan supports for small firms are too slow and difficult to access
THE Government's emergency loan supports for small firms are too slow and difficult to access and should not be channelled only through pillar banks. Figures show only an €11m drawdown to 56 firms from the Government's initial €200m pool of emergency capital to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The Covid-19 Working Capital Scheme, launched on March 10, allows SMEs to seek loans of up to [...]
SMEs fear closures will be widespread without State help
Half of the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in a new survey say that they will last less than six months as going concerns due to the Covid-19 lockdown. Details of the survey by representative body Isme come as concerns mount that a lack of liquidity will sink many businesses even if they have availed of existing Government Covid-19 supports. "The absence of liquidity will [...]
Covid-19 Business Supports – latest information
03 APRIL 2020 As information regarding Business Supports during the Coronavirus crisis continues to develop, CFO Services will endeavour to keep you updated with the details as and when they emerge. Today, we again outline the four existing Business Support Schemes and also the two newest schemes which have been recently announced: the Covid-19 Business Financial Planning Grant and the Business Continuity Voucher. Covid-19 Business [...]
Small tech firms drive Irish venture capital to €820m
A surge in funding to Irish startups and tech companies saw the total value of venture capital investment in Ireland rise to €820m last year, according to new figures from the Irish Venture Capital Association (IVCA). The funding - a jump from the €740m committed in 2018 - was driven by a doubling of VC cash in the last quarter to €253m and a spike [...]