Old entrepreneurs never die, they only fade away: if that is a motto, it’s one that the Ireland Smart Ageing Exchange (ISAX) wants to disprove, with the introduction of its latest scheme to harness the business skills of the over-55s by helping them start new businesses.

ISAX has a new programme targeted at mature entrepreneurs over 55, who are seeking to put their experience, talents and wisdom to good use by starting their own business. Called Ingenuity, the programme, sponsored by Bank of Ireland, will be delivered by Local Enterprise Offices and DCU’s Ryan Academy.

Recent research undertaken by Amárach revealed that 44% of respondents over 50 would be interested in a course designed to help them develop ideas and skills to start their own business. More than 20% of over 50s have some experience of setting up their own business and 17% of those with experience set up their business when aged over 50.

Anyone 55 or over, and interested in the Ingenuity programme, has two options:

Start Your Own Business Programme: for both lifestyle and fast-growth businesses, run in collaboration with the LEO network in Limerick, Fingal and Dublin. This programme will take place over eight weeks starting in September 2016 and will cost €200.

In Association with

Participants will be taken through the key stages of developing and validating their business idea, testing it with their target market, prototyping, costings, marketing, sales, testing with potential investors and preparing a pitch deck.  The programme will culminate with a live pitch to potential investors.

DCU High Potential Startup Pre-accelerator Programme: for those with ambition to establish a large, fast-growth internationally trading company, the course will be run by the DCU Ryan Academy in Dublin. It will be delivered over a six-week period starting in September 2016.

This programme has been designed for entrepreneurs who are seeking to take their skills, experience and ambition to the next level. The structure aims to refresh business management knowledge and identify market growth opportunities and investment readiness. It will discuss concepts and strategies on sustaining growth in a changing economy, via modules on the themes of innovation, scaling up and sustainable growth. Participants will also have an opportunity to pitch to an audience of potential investors.

Free information seminars on both programmes, to include the application process and selection criteria, will be held in the Savoy Hotel, Limerick on Tuesday 17 May from 6pm to 8pm and in Dublin on Thursday 19 May in the House of Lords, Bank of Ireland, College Green from 6pm to 8pm.

Photo: Anne Connolly of ISAX (left), Bank of Ireland’s David Merriman and Jean Condron, owner of Hats by Jean in  Terenure. (Pic: Conor McCabe)