Press release
Minister Troy to host Grow Digital Workshop in Naas
From Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, Robert Troy, will hold a Grow Digital Workshop in MERITS in Naas on Wednesday (27 July) to encourage businesses in the Mid-East region to seize the opportunities offered by digital technologies. Registration for this workshop is now open to all companies in the region who are considering steps to digitalise their business or interested in learning how they may be able to start their digital journey.
Speaking ahead of the Mid-East Grow Digital Workshop in Naas, Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, Robert Troy, said:
"We know the future is digital and I want to see more Irish businesses embrace digitalisation. This will not only build the resilience of our enterprises it will help future-proof our economy in the years ahead. That’s why we launched the Digital Transition Fund of €85 million to help businesses use digital technology regardless of where they are in their digital journey.
"I know businesses are faced with many competing demands and sometimes it’s hard to know where to start or what supports are out there. The Grow Digital Workshops offer a space for businesses to network, learn and identify what they can do to seize the opportunities afforded by digitalisation. Attendees will be able to ask practical questions of their own and learn how they can avail of the financial and advisory supports available as well as find out how digital technologies can help improve their resilience and increase their productivity in the Digital Transition Clinics The workshop will also give attendees an opportunity to hear from other businesses from their own region as they describe how they went about their process of digitalisation. I strongly encourage all businesses whether they have yet to embrace digitalisation or are further along their digital journey to attend and find out more of the possibilities digitalisation presents."
The €85 million Digital Transition Fund has been put in place to help businesses at all stages of their digital journeys as they seek to implement digital technologies, like AI, cloud, and big data. This will help them increase productivity and innovation, access new markets, and improve competitiveness.
The Grow Digital Workshop will feature case studies from regional businesses at an advanced stage of their own digitalisation to support attendees considering the digital transformation of their own businesses. Attendees will also be provided with an overview of the funding programmes available under the Digital Transition Fund.
These workshops also feature Digital Transition Clinics to assist businesses as they navigate the process of digitalisation. These Digital Transition Clinics are offered by representatives of the Local Enterprise Offices, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland. These clinics will help attendees to identify the next steps in the own digital journeys.
Ruairí Ó hAilín, Manager Operational Excellence and Digital with Enterprise Ireland, said:
"The Grow Digital series of workshops will give practical advice to companies at every stage of the digital journey. Our experience over the COVID-19 pandemic clearly demonstrated the value of digitalisation in terms of optimising business processes, maintaining client relationships and establishing new sales opportunities by delivering services online. It is important that this momentum behind digital adoption is maintained and built upon.
"Enterprise Ireland, on behalf of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, is administering the new Digital Transition Fund. Under the Fund a range of grants to assist with planning and implementing a digital transition are available to eligible companies. I would encourage every company to examine the options that are available to them under the fund and to attend the series of ‘Grow Digital’ workshops."
Sonya Kavanagh, Chief Executive of Kildare County Council said:
"The Grow Digital series of initiatives and funding will give practical advice to companies at every stage of their digital journey.
"Maintaining momentum behind digital adoption has become critical for businesses to stay competitive. Looking forward, the necessity for digitalisation in terms of optimising business processes and driving productivity will be critical to the survival and growth of the region’s business community. I would encourage every company to contact their Local Enterprise Office to seek guidance and consider the options that are available to them under this new fund."
Padraic McElwee, Chair of the network of Local Enterprise Offices said:
"As the Local Enterprise Offices are the first stop shop for start-ups and small businesses in Ireland, these workshops provide an excellent opportunity for micro-enterprises to further enhance their digital capabilities. The pace of change in digital adoption is accelerating and the Local Enterprise Office will continue to ensure that small businesses have access to vital supports to help them adapt and embrace the benefits that digital transformation offers."
Details of the event and a registration link are available from the Kildare Local Enterprise Office.