WestBIC’s VETIP Experience and Learning Journey

Introduction: WestBIC – Business & Innovation Centre, West/North West Region of Ireland. Support high growth start-ups with business planning assistance, access to seed capital and in the internationalisation of their businesses. One of 4 BICs in Rep of Ireland. Member of EBN – European Business & Innovation Centre Network based in Brussels. Part funded by Irish Government, work very closely with key enterprise development agencies, 3 rd level sector and other intermediaries in supporting start-ups.

Intro cont’d: Network offices throughout the region, - both urban & rural, cover a wide range of sectors. High % of start-ups supported by WestBIC are Tech companies. VETIP project provided us with an opportunity to introduce (& de-mystify) e- commerce know-how & resources to non tech start-ups, the unemployed and those with an interest in setting-up an e- commerce business.

The Objective: Improve digital competence Develop VET e-business programmes Help to combat issues of high youth unemployment by supporting beneficiaries in the creation of new online businesses.

Our Plan: Identify (some known, some unknown) early stage start-ups and assist them in developing their businesses utilising the VETIP e-commerce resources. ( i.e. utilising VETIP ‘backend ‘tools plus other commercial resources/knowledge to address key issues when setting-up an e- commerce business).

The Beneficiaries: During the two year VETIP Project, we met and made presentations to a wide range of beneficiaries, - groups already in business who were considering setting up an e-commerce component to compliment their existing business. - group needs were quite specific - how do we do it, what are the legal issues surrounding the sale of products, data protection, security, online payments, processes and procedures.

- Unemployed attending programmes such as: “Start your own business programme” organised by FÁS (National Training Organisation) - usually people who recently became unemployed, had a business idea but lacked the skills and expertise to start their own business. - needs included access to VETIP resources and business planning support from WestBIC.

- Groups participating on existing e-commerce or business accelerator programmes. - participants more tech-savvy and protective about their ideas, still in need of start-up support but more in terms of commercially evaluating/validating their e-commerce business idea and sourcing funding.

Key Needs Areas Identified: Business development skills required to set up an e-commerce company. Understanding/awareness of the technical issues relating to an e-commerce business – VETIP resources. Importance of e-commerce action/innovation plans to detail the technical needs of the business. Alignment of the e-commerce innovation plan with the overall business and financial plans.

WestBIC Response to the Need: The inclusion of an e-commerce section in all our business plans and to embed this thinking/approach throughout the organisation. - recognise the importance of e-commerce for businesses. - business plans require a dedicated section setting out the range of e- commerce issues.

Conclusions: E-Commerce has become huge part of all economies. Virtually all WestBIC start-ups involve an e-commerce component. The commercial needs of an e-commerce business are similar to other businesses - commercial validation, good business model, strong management team, access to finance. E-commerce businesses also need to address key issues relevant to the successful development of an e-commerce business – technical, marketing etc.

Conclusions cont’d Assessment of technical needs are complex so start-ups need to understand the key issues. The technical needs have to be evaluated correctly to deploy the right solution - myriad of solutions available but mistakes can be costly for a start-up with limited resources. Key benefit of VETIP –increasing awareness of the specific issues, de- mystifying the process and adding to start- ups knowledge base so that they can make more informed decisions in relation to their needs.