WHATEVER your business idea, scaling a start-up business towards export success requires investible ideas, precision planning, and a solid sales strategy. Also critical is finding the right support to test, develop and refine these components at an early stage.
One such support mechanism, the Invest NI Propel Programme, has just completed its latest intake with 18 high-growth potential start-ups showcased at a recent end-of-programme awards.
But what about their predecessors? How have they fared since their participation on the programme which first began in 2009?
Leona and Sean McAllister, creators of cemetery mapping software PlotBox started their entrepreneurial journey on Propel in 2012. The company has gone on to become a global leader in the industry, with over 65 per cent of its sales at the end of last year coming from the USA alone.
Leona says: “Propel came along at exactly the right time for us. Although we didn’t know it then, we were at a stage where we had something good but it lacked product-market-fit. The mentors on the programme helped us overcome this and look at the business from a really strategic point of view, which gave us huge confidence in our product.
“We are now at an exciting stage of our business growth, having recently won major new contracts with the Archdiocese of San Francisco and the Diocese of Orange. We also have plans to launch a new public facing walk-to-grave genealogy site soon. Without Propel, all of these things would have been much more difficult and I’m not sure we would be where we are without it.”
From cemetery mapping and neuro-technology to cyber security and agricultural apps, PlotBox is just one of many technology led start-ups that has felt the benefits of the programme, which has been delivered by Xcell Partners since 2009.
John Arrell is founder of one such other software company. Sixty-5 Technologies uses GPS, mobile and cloud to help farmers boost their productivity and optimise efficiency through the use of precision technology.
John met his technical co-founder Colin through the networks he established on Propel and since the first products went to market in March this year, together they have already secured global distribution deals across the UK, Ireland and Europe, as well as Australia and New Zealand.
“Propel introduced me to a start-up eco-system and investment opportunities which I had no idea existed and the networks I established during that time continue to be an invaluable support,” says John.
“The mentors on the programme forced me to look at the gaps in the business plan and I continue to manage the business according to the principles we learned.”
Another business with sights firmly set on export wins is Augher based baby food producer Heavenly Tasty Organics. Following completion of the Propel Programme, managing director Shauna McCarney-Blair led the company towards month-on-month growth and in the last year, secured contract wins with national supermarkets including Tesco, Waitrose and Morrisons.
Invest NI’s director of skills and strategy Niall Case believes the results of the programme (details at www.investni.com/propel) speak for themselves.
He said: “Since 2009, the Propel Programme has supported more than 140 businesses across a vast range of sectors and industries, and together they have raised more than £18 million of investment. Many of them have gone on to experience considerable international success and are exceptional, innovative ambassadors for Northern Ireland on the world stage.
"Their success is testament to the strength of programmes such as this and we look forward to celebrating their continued growth and development for years to come.”
