Here is a terrific opportunity for people looking to develop their skills in digital marketing and also for small businesses in Ireland who want to get their businesses online.

The programme is called WebActivate.

Listen to my podcast about the programme here:

At the moment the programme is taking registrants from people through to the 16 July 2010 - they mention on their website that applications are particularly welcomed from people who are unemployed with an existing educational attainment of NFQ level 6, 7, or 8. You will receive 6 weeks ‘In-Centre’ training following which you will spend 12 weeks with 3 different SMEs creating websites and coaching the employees of the SME's on how to maximise business through online channels.

During the work placement you will attend their designated training centres one day a week for classes, ongoing mentoring and coaching from the Webactivate trainers. You will be equipped with a Notebook computer, software and 3G broadband, all of which are provided through the WebActivate programme. Find out how to register HERE.

The curriculum includes modules in:

• Internet Publishing
• Marketing
• Social Media Marketing

Certification includes a suite of FETAC component modules with 4 credits at NFQ Level 6.

If you are an SME WITH NO WEB PRESENCE AT THE MOMENT then I also recommedn that you check out the programme and benefit from the skills that people will be learning. You will receive access to support by providing a workplacement to one of the participants of the programme. There are no fees or charges for the SMEs providing work placements in the programme. The programme will serve small to medium businesses in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway and you can register online here.

I was so sorry to hear of the recent death of Tricia Murphy a well known and loved trainer in the field of networking and a former President of Network Dublin.

I first met Tricia around 5 years ago and her warm smile and positive attitude lit up any room she was in. She also did a huge amount to encourage people to network in the 'real world' as part of their business development long before 'networking' became 'fashionable'.

Through her small business TIG Alliance she also hosted a very popular programme called the Simply Networking Salon - an eclectic evening where you didn't know who you might meet! And Tricia generously funded these herself.

And when asked what TIG stood for she simply answered "Well it's Tricia Is Great" - not in an arrogant way but with the confidence that seems to elude many small business owners.

Over the last 2 years  she suffered with cancer - but even then she turned her bad news into something to help others - she shaved her head of her beloved hair and raised over €12,000 for charity.

Her work inspired others, and I wonder how many new business contacts were initially made possible by her teaching or active facilitation.

She has certainly left her footprint on the world.

Did you have the opportunity to meet Tricia? What impact did her work or knowing her have on you?

Exciting news for technology startups in Ireland - Dublin City University’s Ryan Academy for Entrepreneurship has announced the establishment of a seed venture fund of €1 million for early stage technology start-up companies.

Gordon McConnell, Deputy-CEO & Director of Business Development DCU Ryan Academy for Entrepreneurship Citywest tells me that the new venture fund is an accelerator fund, which will help fund new companies develop from concept to product. The aim of the venture fund is to jump-start a number of high technology start-ups in Ireland with an emphasis on software and biotechnology hardware ideas such as medical devices and diagnostics.

The overall programme consists of direct funding  and a three-month programme of support from the Ryan Academy for Entrepreneurship, which will include office space, mentorship and specially-designed networking and educational programmes.

The first round of investment will open for applicants in October 2010, with the first four successful entrepreneurs being announced before the end of the year. A further eight entrepreneurs will be funded in 2011 and again in 2012.

Keep an eye on the DCU Ryan Academy for Entrepreneurship blog for details of how to apply to the programme.

Are you an aspiring entrepreneur in Ireland who would value assistance in launching your business in the next 90 days?

Then you will be interested in the new First Step initiative funded through the Labour Market Activation Fund as a great opportunity for people who wish to set up their own business to access finance, mentoring, coaching and ongoing support.

I was contacted yesterday by Joanne Hession of QEDtraining.ie who are one of the networks of providers of this programme for First Step. They are actively looking to recruit the 20 participants for their programme by Friday 9 July so that they can support businesses in launching ideally in September (currently they have 15 places open). 

20 potential start-ups will be able to access the support of specialist trainers, coaches, mentors and a panel of experts who will work with them to assess their strengths and weaknesses and provide them with practical, tailored and one-to-one assistance to get them up and started in business. 

The programme of coaching/mentoring/support will last approximately 15-20 weeks and during this time there will be an entire suite of workshops, networking events and coaching sessions, tailored to each individual participant.  Joanne tells me it will be intensive, utterly practical and very hands on.

Importantly, access to start up loans will be provided through First Step -  and there will be a rigorous selection process is in place as the programme has limited places.

For further information or to apply for participation on the network contact Joanne on 0872882688 (joanne@QEDtraining.ie) or Steve on 085 1175452 (steve@QEDtraining.ie)

Participant profile:  The ideal candidate must satisfy 3 criteria.  They must be unemployed for the past 3months (in receipt of unemployment benefit or unemployment assistance), and they must require funding support and have a business idea that they are driven and hungry enough to set up in 2010 (with a business plan started or completed). 

First Step: First-Step was set up in 1991 as a not for profit organisation by Norma Smurfit and a group of like minded individuals. The objective of First-Step is to provide microfinance loans (i.e. loans less than €25,000) to start up or expanding small and medium enterprises for job creation or protection.  Loans are targeted at people who have difficulty securing finance from traditional banking sources. To date First-Step has assisted 1,500 projects. It is estimated these projects have created in excess of 3,000 employment opportunities.