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InterTradeIreland has announced the launch of this year’s 2011 All-Island Seedcorn Business Competition with a cash prize fund of €280,000. Each year, companies taking part in the unique competition, which mimics the real-life investment process, are mooted as the ‘ones to watch’. Liam Nellis, InterTradeIreland Chief Executive, said: “Seedcorn is the largest business competition of its kind across the island. Aside from the substantial prize fund on offer, companies taking part will join InterTradeIreland Seedcorn network – an extensive business and investment community that will help boost their profile, contacts and create potential investment opportunities.

Irish manufacturers must increasingly be able to measure and reduce their carbon footprint if they are to succeed on export markets, according to the latest BearingPoint Green Supply Chain Monitor 2010-11. The report finds that about two thirds of European companies surveyed consider green supply chain as a strategic priority now or in the short term.

Two progressive companies from Co Clare, Clare Spring Water from Lissycasey and ABC Nutrition from Shannon, will present their case histories at Network Ireland Clare’s annual business networking event, which takes place at the Temple Gate Hotel in Ennis on Thursday, 19 May. Both companies, who have been hitting the headlines for their innovativeness, will show how team spirit, determination, and structured market knowledge are the cornerstones to developing an export-led and sustainable business.

Google, Blacknight, An Post and the National Network of County and City Enterprise Boards have joined forces to create Getting Irish Business Online. With the mission to help Irish businesses benefit from the opportunities of the Internet, they are dedicated to helping businesses succeed online. Targeting the 40% of Irish SMEs including sole traders that do not have a website or an online presence the campaign is calling on all businesses that do not have a website to log on to www.gettingbusinessonline.ie where they can create their business website for free.

The Getting Irish Business Online website (www.gibo.ie) launched on Friday 6th May 2011. The first initiative of its kind in Ireland, it is backed by leading Irish online companies including Irish Domains and Blueface. The initiative will offer small businesses a chance to get an internet domain, email, web presence and VOIP phone line with local geographic number free for a year. According to the CSO nearly one third of businesses do not have a website, and only about a fifth have e-commerce capability.

Best practice and excellence in Irish eCommerce will be recognised for the first time in the Retail Excellence Ireland Awards and through a new quality mark which has been launched by the retail industry body. The winner of the main award, eCommerce Website of the Year, will receive a digital marketing campaign to the value of €20,000 plus help from the eCommerce award sponsor, Google, with digital strategy and marketing.