merrion street

Jobs Minister Richard Bruton today opened the Enterprise Ireland High Potential Start Ups Showcase, featuring the 92 new start-up companies supported by Enterprise Ireland in 2011, well ahead of the targeted 85.  Together these companies aim to employ over 1,600 new staff by the end of 2013 and to generate over €200m in annual sales within three years.

Today’s end of year figures come following quarterly announcements made by the Minister last year outlining the performance of the High Potential Start-Up Programme during each quarter of 2011. As part of today’s annual results, the Minister also outlined the results for Q4 2011, which saw support agreed during that period for 19 companies which have committed to creating 365 jobs by end 2013.

Speaking at the event, Minister Bruton said:

“If we are to rebuild our economy, and create the jobs of the future in Ireland, we must not only continue to attract more high-end multinational companies, but we must also crucially ensure that more high-growth small businesses can establish, expand and turn into the large employers of the future. The Government’s Action Plan for Jobs 2012 includes a series of new supports targeted at the crucial indigenous sector of the economy.