Free service for entrepreneurs and businesses in Galway, Mayo and Roscommon

SCCUL Enterprises has announced the regional rollout of ‘Bizmentors’ its free business mentoring programme, to counties Galway, Mayo and Roscommon.

Part-funded by Enterprise Ireland under the Action Plan for Jobs West Region 2015-2017 the initiative aims to support over 1000 entrepreneurs and businesses in the west of Ireland next year.

Formerly known as SCCUL Mentors, Bizmentors was developed in response to feedback received from participants from the SCCUL Enterprise Awards and has been piloted in Galway city and county since 2012.

To date the programme has received over 500 applications for mentoring from local businesses in Galway city and county and has provided over 3000 hours of free mentoring support.

A total of 111 mentors, drawn from the Galway’s business community, provide their expertise free of charge to businesses.

The Regional roll out to counties Galway, Mayo and Roscommon will commence in January 2017 with a view to a national roll out in 2018. Businesses seeking support will apply online and following an application review are matched with a mentor who will provide up to 3 free mentoring sessions in a three month period.

Announcing the programme expansion, board said:

“Bizmentors has provided much needed access for local companies to experienced business expertise and wisdom,” explained Colman Collins, Chairman of the Bizmentors Advisory Board.

“Over the past four years, it has been evident to us that this service is needed across the country. We are delighted that Department of Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation has recognised this and has provided funding through Enterprise Ireland to support the rollout of regional pilot in Galway, Mayo and Roscommon,” he added.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.