Enterprise Ireland has identified a number of steps for businesses thinking of exporting to establish if they are export ready. These include analysing if your business is ready to export, exploring and researching potential markets, considering whether your company has the capability and resources to export, and finally preparing and executing a strong export plan.
A number of programmes and initiatives are run by Government Departments and Agencies to help potential exporters work through these steps and identify if exporting is the right move for them. Read on for more information on four of those supports, and next steps to find out more information....
Get help from a First Flight mentor
The First Flight Programme, designed to assist companies seeking to export for the first time, aims to save businesses time and expense and to help them manage the risk associated with entering new markets. The programme can also benefit companies that are currently exporting and planning to target and sell into new markets.
The First Flight Programme offers a systematic approach tailored to helping companies research, prepare and develop an export strategy including
Participants can apply for a First Flight Mentor to assist in undertaking an Export Readiness Assessment and the development and implementation of a First Flight Action Plan. Participants can also access general and premium market information and advice (including information on markets, technologies, sectors and competitors) via Enterprise Ireland's client Information Centre.
Full eligibility criteria and more information on how to apply is available on the Enterprise Ireland website.
Check how export ready your company is
Enterprise Ireland's Export Health Check will quickly help you assess how prepared you are to do business in overseas markets. Whether you are exporting for the first time or already exporting, the assessment will help you identify what you need to do to improve your profitability and success in export markets. The 10 questions will take about 10 minutes to complete. At the end, you will receive downloadable feedback on your company’s strengths and weaknesses, recommended actions and information on how Enterprise Ireland can help you. Your results and recommended actions are confidential – only you will be able to view them.
Be honest and realistic in your answers – after all, the assessment is designed to help you, and it will only be accurate if you provide your best assessment of how your company is actually doing now – and not how you would like it to perform.
Take the Enterprise Ireland Export Health Check.
Get in touch with Enterprise Ireland's Export Helpdesk
Whether you are thinking about exporting for the first time, or are an established company thinking about exporting to new markets, Enterprise Ireland has a dedicated team of people who are happy to answer questions and work with businesses to assess their readiness to export, help with export plans and tips and help on exporting, and provide additional information on Enterprise Ireland supports.
Get in touch with the Get Export Ready helpdesk by calling +353 1 727 2325, or by email.
Support for micro-enterprises
Local Enterprise offers an export marketing grant for the micro-enterprise sector. The grant can be used to part-fund the cost of travel and subsistence, Trade Fair Attendance/ Exhibiting, and the creation of marketing material specifically for overseas markets.
The Export Marketing Grant is confined to qualifying micro-enterprises i.e., commercial businesses employing at least one person on a full-time basis and not more than 10 employees) with a turnover of less than €1m.
Other useful supports
Check out Enterprise Ireland's Export Start Guide.
Download Steps to Exporting document.
Useful Stats
Last year 1,239 new and significant overseas contracts were signed by Irish companies with the help of Enterprise Ireland, including €50m in contracts secured on a trade mission to West Africa. Some 121 trade and knowledge events were organised by the Government Agency to help Irish companies scale and explore international markets.