Irish digital media and gaming start-up companies have been invited to enter the race for taking part in the Enterprise Ireland iGap3 programme which is due to commence in October. The deadline (9 September) for entry is fast approaching.
Considered ‘mandatory’ by those who have already gone through it, the Internet Growth Acceleration Programme (iGAP) is an intensive management development programme aimed exclusively at high potential internet/games companies.
Over six months, iGAP will equip key promoters within the Irish internet/games industry with the practical tools needed to formulate aggressive international growth plans and scale their businesses. A list of past participants of iGAP is available on request.
“If you want to accelerate your web business and compete globally then you need to be on iGAP,” Connor Murphy of Datahug who is a previous participant said.
“If you want to learn from Silicon Valley insiders and world class thought leaders then you need to be on iGAP. If you want to collaborate and learn from a brilliant peer group then you need to be on iGAP.”
This programme is open to both Enterprise Ireland clients and non-clients. The overall cost of iGAP is €10k per participating company and up to two individuals from each company can participate.
Some 70pc of the programme fee is funded by Enterprise Ireland leaving a balance of €3,000 which must be paid in full before the programme commences.
“The iGAP program is an excellent opportunity to both network with a peer group of companies all experiencing many of the same challenges as you, and to hear from some of the world’s leading speakers on building companies and products,” said Steven Collins of Swrve.
“The speaker line-up was second to none, with lots of opportunities for interaction and feedback and to build connections. The program itself is very well structured, with lectures, group sessions and mentors and a great curriculum. It presented me with the perfect opportunity to reflect on my own startup and to put the spotlight on our processes for customer discovery, product design and business strategy. I can’t recommend the IGAP program highly enough to anybody building an internet or games industry company and lucky enough to be offered a place.”
The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday 9th September 2011.
Ronan Perceval from Phorest, concluded: “iGap was the best training course I have ever done. The key was in the speakers who had the best start-up knowledge in the world, particularly Silicon Valley. Most were young and relatable but crucially had done it. There is nothing else available in Ireland that will give access to such knowledge.”
