Tag: Accelerate

Midland Steel Launches FasterFix Ready Mesh

Midland Steel, a leading Irish force in steel reinforcement innovation, has announced the launch of its newest breakthrough product, FasterFix Ready Mesh. The new mesh product is a pre-engineered, site ready, reinforcement system designed specifically to speed up housing completions in line with the Government’s Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) initiative.

With government targets of more than 50,000 homes per year to be delivered by 2030, FasterFix Ready Mesh is poised to play a vital role in delivering faster and more efficient builds.

This Irish designed and developed solution arrives on site fully prepared and custom-designed to each project, significantly cutting programme times and streamlining the building process. Some of the key benefits of FasterFix Ready Mesh include:

  • Ready-to-place units that reduce installation time and labour costs
  • No cutting or hot works, improving site safety and compliance
  • Zero site waste, enhancing sustainability and reducing costs
  • Lightweight panels for safer manual handling
  • Custom and standard sizes tailored to each house type
  • Manufactured using CARES-approved, low-carbon steel

Tony Woods, CEO of Midland Steel, stated: “Our FasterFix Ready Mesh is a perfect example of Modern Methods of Construction. It’s efficient, sustainable, and built for performance. We believe it can be a game-changer for house building in Ireland.”

Founded in Mountmellick, Co. Laois, Midland Steel has grown into a leading international provider of steel reinforcement solutions, with operations across Ireland, the UK and mainland Europe. It is renowned for its commitment to innovation, quality and sustainability and continues to shape the future of construction by delivering smarter, safer and more efficient reinforcements systems.

Midland Steel’s products have been used in the construction of numerous major projects including Aviva Stadium, Amazon data centres in Dublin and Intel in Leixlip. Recently, the company announced a strategic partnership to license its modular rebar technology to Nucor Corporation, the largest producer of steel in the US.

SCÁLA Can Accelerate Your Business Growth.

SCÁLA, the accelerator programme from Local Enterprise Office Donegal, is now open for applications. Scála is targeted at high-potential start-ups and business expansions in the county. 

This exciting programme is unique to Donegal and is built by investors for entrepreneurs. Applications are open for entrepreneurs and senior managers of businesses with the potential to scale their business from Donegal. 

SCÁLA Donegal will target start-up entrepreneurs with the potential for fast growth in a range of sectors such as Tech, Engineering, Blue Economy and Health Sciences. See https://www.localenterprise.ie/Donegal/Training-Events/Scala/

SCÁLA has a particular focus on businesses with the potential for fast growth in sectors such as Tech, Engineering, Manufacturing, Health Sciences and the Blue Economy. This programme also encourages potential spin-outs from existing firms in the county and region, while introducing participants to potential investment funds.

Speaking about the SCÁLA Accelerator, Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr. Niamh Kennedy said: ‘’Over the past few years we have seen a number of very positive business expansion plans in Donegal across a range of industries. This programme provides an opportunity for further organic growth in these and other high-performing sectors.’’

 

Jon Geary of Little Mamma’s Gelato, who is a recent past participant of SCÁLA, pictured with co-founder Linda Geary. 

Jon Geary of Little Mamma’s Gelato, who is a recent participant in the programme, said: “SCÁLA provided me with the confidence to grow my business, by helping me to identify a market fit product, build a team and assist in finding relevant funding. The connections made and the expertise gained through this programme were crucial for us as we work towards scaling our business.”

Local Enterprise Office Donegal is collaborating with Skillfluence to implement the programme. Skillfluence provides bespoke training programmes designed to accelerate the needs of entrepreneurs and empower them to translate research into commercial opportunities.

Jamie McCallum of Skillfluence who is running the SCÁLA programme for Local Enterprise Office Donegal

Brenda Hegarty, Head of Enterprise at Local Enterprise Office, Donegal, said: “SCÁLA focuses on giving participants a deep understanding of the factors that can drive success, along with the skills to build financial models that stand up to investor scrutiny and industry engagement. The programme will also provide mentorship from leaders in their field, so participants will get valuable insights and advice on ways to adapt their business model as necessary. We will select up to twelve businesses based on the scale of ambition of the founder(s), the potential opportunity in the market chosen, and, most importantly, the businesses we believe can be supported  the most through the SCALA programme. We would encourage potential candidates to apply now and give yourself the best possible chance to be accepted.”

Brenda Hegarty, Head of Enterprise at Local Enterprise Office Donegal.  

The deadline for applying to this programme is midnight Friday, 11th April 2025. Following this, up to 12 businesses will be selected for the accelerator, which commences on April 30th, 2025 and will run for 11 weeks, concluding on July 16th, 2025. For more information on the programme and how to apply, visit: https://www.localenterprise.ie/Donegal/Training-Events/Scala/ 

SCÁLA Donegal Can Accelerate Your Business Growth.

SCÁLA Donegal is now open for applications. This accelerator programme from Local Enterprise Office Donegal is targeted at high potential start-ups and business expansions in the county. This exciting programme is unique to Donegal and is built by investors for entrepreneurs. Applications are now open for entrepreneurs and senior managers of LEO Donegal client businesses. The programme is also open to entrepreneurs or businesses located anywhere in the world, who demonstrate a commitment to growing their organisation from Donegal.

The 2023 SCÁLA Donegal cohort. See www.localenterprise.ie/Donegal

SCÁLA Donegal will target start-up entrepreneurs with the potential for fast growth in a range of sectors such as Tech, Engineering, Blue Economy, Health Sciences, Food and Advanced Manufacture. This programme aims to focus on facilitating potential spin-outs from existing firms in the county and region and on introducing programme participants to potential investment funds.

Speaking about the SCÁLA Accelerator, Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr. Martin Harley said: ‘’Over the past few years we have seen a number of very positive business expansion plans in Donegal across a range of industries. This programme provides an opportunity for further organic growth in these and other high-performing sectors.’’

SCÁLA Donegal will target start-up entrepreneurs with the potential for fast growth in a range of sectors such as Tech, Engineering, Blue Economy and Health Sciences. See www.localenterprise.ie/Donegal

Local Enterprise Office Donegal is collaborating with Skillfluence to implement the SCÁLA Donegal programme. Skillfluence provides bespoke training progammes designed to accelerate the needs of entrepreneurs and empower them to translate research into commercial opportunity.

Helen Burke of Teambase Ireland is a past participant of the programme

Brenda Hegarty, Head of Enterprise at Local Enterprise Office, Donegal said: “SCÁLA Donegal focuses on giving participants a deep understanding of factors that can drive success, along with the skills to build financial models that stand up to investor scrutiny and industry engagement. The programme will also provide mentorship from leaders in their field, so participants will get valuable insights and advice on ways to adapt their business model as necessary”.  

Jamie McCallum of Skillfluence who is running the SCÁLA programme for Local Enterprise Office Donegal

Helen Burke of Teambase Ireland is a past participant of the programme and said: ‘’SCÁLA Donegal was extremely helpful to our business and mentorship from industry leaders helped to give valuable insight and advice on how we can adapt our business model to grow and scale, nationally and internationally’’.

The deadline for application to this programme is Thursday, April 4th, 2024 at 12:00 PM. Following this, up to 12 businesses will be selected for the accelerator, which commences on April 17th and will run for 11 weeks. For more information on the programme and how to apply visit: https://www.localenterprise.ie/Donegal/Donegal/Training-Events/Scala.html