Six Cork companies have been selected to participate in Scale Cork, Ireland’s first scaling programme for SMEs supported by Cork County Council through its economic development fund and operated by the Rubicon Centre at Cork Institute of Technology. Cork County Council and the Rubicon Centre are joining forces to pilot this new initiative with the aim of helping to scale, and grow, existing companies in the Cork region. The first Scale Cork pilot focuses on the Medical Devices, Agri-Tech and Digital Health sectors.
Scale Cork is building on international relationships that the Rubicon Centre and Cork County Council have established in Boston, the USA and the UK, with an integral part of the programme focused on assisting the companies to gain access to these overseas markets. Local opportunities to grow partnerships with multinationals will also be explored. An initial benchmarking exercise will be conducted with the companies to identify enablers for growth that will facilitate expansion into new markets as well as addressing operations, finance, digital readiness, talent, marketing, and innovation. Expert mentoring will be provided by teams of mentors with sector-specific experience, and the companies will have access to multiple resources within the Rubicon and CIT.
According to Bernard Yore, Managing Director of Eirdata Environmental Systems Ltd:
Scale Cork means Eirdata can now look at further expansion opportunities for our company. We’re growing every year and looking forward to seeing what enablers for growth will be identified in the initial benchmarking exercise. Expansion into new markets is a key part of our current strategy and we’re confident Scale Cork will help us achieve that.
Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Mary Linehan Foley, noted:
Cork County Council’s mission to improve quality of life for our residents is facilitated by initiatives which drive employment and economic growth in our county. Supporting business growth and identifying new markets will strengthen our connections with the wider world and highlight how County Cork is a great place to work and to invest in. Cork County Council’s Local Economic and Community Development Team is proud to back initiatives that help us achieve this goal.”
Sharon Corcoran, Director of Economic Development with Cork County Council, commented:
Cork County Council has an established working relationship with the Rubicon and CIT. The Council is spearheading a number of COVID-19 measures to support business recovery and growth for the future. Scale Cork provides an opportunity to develop and link enterprises across the County to further develop the economic fabric of the region.
Paul Healy, Rubicon Centre Manager, said:
Helping established companies to grow, with access to opportunities in some of Cork’s largest companies, or to tap in to resources and supports established by Cork County Council and the Rubicon over the last decade, will, through Scale Cork, provide new development opportunities for the initial six companies participating on this programme. We aim to create even more opportunities in the future with the establishment of MTU on January 1st 2020.
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