News & Events

Grants of up to €2,500 are available to help micro-enterprises boost their online presence. The deadline is 5 PM on Friday, 13th December 2024—submit your application today!

In today’s digital landscape, even small businesses face significant cyber threats. This article provides a straightforward template, covering essential security practices like access control, data protection, device security, and employee training for a safer business environment.

Bridge Enterprise Centres now offers an After Hours Service for meeting room rentals in the evenings and weekends, with options to suit every need. Choose from concierge-assisted openings, full-service open & closing, or independent access. Enjoy flexibility, security, and a professional setting beyond business hours!

In Budget 2025, the Government announced a new grant of €4,000 called Power Up, to assist businesses in hospitality, retail and beauty sectors. Closing date is November 8th 2024.

Three weeks after Budget 2025, Ben Lewis & Co. Chartered Accountants highlight key updates. Couples earning €50,000 could save €2,382 in 2025, with pension contributions offering extra benefits. Electric cars remain a top tax-saving option for businesses, and new PRSA pension limits take effect in 2025. Autoenrolment begins in September, and the small gift exemption rises to €1,500.

Seasonal marketing aligns promotions with holidays and events to engage customers and boost sales. Campaigns like Spotify Wrapped, timed for year-end, tap into predictable consumer behavior. By planning ahead, setting clear goals, and using digital strategies like content and social media marketing, businesses can create impactful campaigns that drive results.

The Irish government has approved enhancements to the SME Test, ensuring new legislation considers its impact on small businesses. Bridge Enterprise Centres welcomed the move, with Chairperson Mark Fielding highlighting its importance for reducing red tape and supporting local SMEs.

Establishing essential policies is critical to running a compliant, efficient, and sustainable business. These policies not only provide a clear framework for your daily operations but also help ensure adherence to Irish laws and foster a productive working environment. Below are some of the key policies you should have in place.

Gavin Harte is the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown (dlr) SEAI Sustainable Energy Community mentor, supporting 28 DLR communities on their energy journeys. He provides guidance through his 'common sense' steps for energy efficiency. Over 900 communities in Ireland collaborate through the SEC programme, focusing on energy projects across homes, transport, businesses, and community buildings.

Byrne & McCall have released a Budget 2025 guide, detailing key tax measures announced on 1 October 2024. Highlights include adjustments to income tax bands, USC rate reductions, and updates on property and corporate taxation.

Budget 2025 offers €10.5 billion in measures, including energy credits, VAT reductions, and childcare support. Households benefit from wage increases, tax cuts, and social payments. However, business relief is limited, with calls for stronger pro-growth initiatives.

Significant changes to the Pay-Related Social Insurance (PRSI) system in Ireland are set to take effect on 1 October 2024. There are adjustments to PRSI rates for both employees and employers across various classes, as well as modifications to self-employed contributions.

A disaster recovery plan is essential for ensuring your business can quickly recover from unexpected disruptions like cyberattacks or natural disasters. Here's how to create an effective plan to minimise downtime and protect your operations.

Learn how to create an effective sales strategy with this comprehensive guide for Irish businesses. Discover key steps, from setting clear goals to identifying your target audience, building a strong sales team, and continuously improving your approach to drive long-term success.

Discover the key HR reports every Irish business needs to stay compliant, boost performance, and enhance employee management, from payroll to health and safety.

A well-optimised LinkedIn profile is essential for businesses looking to enhance their visibility, attract talent, and connect with customers. Whether you’re a start-up or a seasoned company, making the most of LinkedIn can significantly boost your brand’s presence and credibility. Here’s a guide to maximising your company’s LinkedIn profile for success.

Conducting an SEO audit is essential to improving your website’s visibility on search engines. This guide outlines how to analyse technical, on-page, and off-page SEO, and provides a framework for ongoing optimisation.

The Irish government is signalling additional costs are on the way for small businesses in 2025, following the Low Pay Commission's recommendation to raise the minimum wage by €1. This would see the minimum wage rise to €13.70 per hour!

Social media is a vital tool for businesses seeking to connect with customers and drive growth. However, success requires more than just a presence—it demands a strategic approach tailored to your audience and goals.

Regularly updating your employee handbook is essential for legal compliance and clear communication of company policies, ensuring a well-informed and cohesive workforce. It reflects organisational changes and promotes consistency, fairness, and employee empowerment.

The LEO Energy Efficiency grant has increased and now supports the investment in technologies and equipment with 75% of eligible costs up to a maximum grant of €10,000.

Share-based remuneration is vital for aligning employee and company interests, with recent legislative updates enhancing tax compliance. The Finance Act 2023 mandates real-time reporting and clarifies tax obligations for improved accuracy and transparency.

Are you receiving loans from close relatives? Starting January 1st, 2024, there is a new reporting obligation for Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT). This applies to loans made on or after this date, as well as existing loans, and affects recipients regardless of whether tax is due.

Starting from 1 July 2024, the EU has updated size thresholds for companies, increasing balance sheet and turnover limits by 25% to account for inflation. This adjustment will help many Irish companies qualify as "micro" or "small," allowing them to benefit from simpler reporting and audit exemptions, thereby reducing their regulatory burden.

The Food Starter Programme is a short, blended course consisting of one full day and two half days. It covers everything from the Irish food sector overview to the specifics of starting a food production business, helping participants avoid common pitfalls.

Ireland is set to implement a series of transformative legislative measures that will significantly impact small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). We've outlined a brief summary of changes and the supports available to help you remain compliant.

The Irish Small Companies Administrative Rescue Process (SCARP) is a legal framework established to aid small and micro companies in Ireland experiencing financial difficulties.

Irish SMEs lost almost €10 million to email scams last year, with incidents rising by 25%, according to FraudSmart. Most scams involved fake invoice redirections where fraudsters posed as known suppliers and provided bogus bank details.

Discover the recent changes in Ireland's employment laws, including statutory sick pay, gender pay gap reporting, expanded parental leave, remote working rights, and more. Learn how these updates impact employers and employees, promoting a fairer and more supportive work environment.

Good board governance is crucial for organisational success, ensuring transparency, accountability, strategic oversight, and ethical leadership.

Irish businesses must comply with first aid requirements set by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA). Employers must conduct risk assessments to determine necessary first aid measures, including trained personnel and appropriate equipment.

Join our members, DC EC, at their The Electric Circle – Dublin event to explore the future of driving through e-mobility.

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) offers a range of financial supports to help small and medium businesses (SMEs) invest in energy-saving technologies. These supports include grants for energy-efficient products, renewable heat systems, and electric commercial vehicles.

This change means more companies will fall into the micro and small categories, allowing them to take advantage of simplified reporting requirements and audit exemptions.

Congratulations to St. Kieran's National School in Bray for winning the Curious Minds Platinum Award in 2024. The Platinum is the highest award possible, recognizing outstanding achievements and dedication to fostering curiosity and learning.

The Employment Permits Bill 2022, set to pass through the Oireachtas, will enable work permit holders in Ireland to change employers after nine months.

Join us at Bridge Enterprise Centres on June 26th at 9:30 am for an insightful presentation by Richard McKeown on leveraging LinkedIn for B2B marketing.

Microsoft has introduced a new category of AI-enhanced personal computers called "Copilot+," which can handle AI tasks directly on the device, enhancing functionality and performance without relying on cloud data centers.

Looking for the perfect meeting space? Bridge Enterprise Centres offer newly refurbished, modern, fully-equipped meeting rooms designed to inspire productivity.

Chartered Accountants Ireland is hosting an event, "Inspiring Women Entrepreneurs 2024," on June 26th from 6-8pm at Chartered Accountants House, Dublin.

This month, Bridge Enterprise Centres is hosting two fantastic events designed to help businesses grow and succeed in the digital age. Whether you're looking to boost your B2B leads using LinkedIn or maximize your website for brand success, we've got you covered. Mark your calendars and join us for these informative sessions led by industry experts.

Just over a third of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) here say they would go out of business within six months if they did not get additional funding, a new survey has found.

In this edition of the Bridge Enterprise Centres Newsletter we provide important updates on various grants and new supports for SMEs. We cover recent tax changes affecting employee expenses, enhanced reporting requirements, and updates on the Debt Warehousing Scheme.

Pension Auto-Enrolment, a significant new initiative, is set to bring 800,000 workers into a retirement savings scheme by Q1 2025. This article by Gareth Watkins of Lynx Financial Services outlines the key details and implications for both employers and employees.

The participating startups, spanning sectors such as Industrial, Life Sciences, FinTech, Food, and ICT, are collectively seeking over €14.6 million in investment.

Revenue has issued fresh guidelines on determining the employment status of workers for tax purposes, following a recent landmark Supreme Court ruling concerning Domino's Pizza delivery drivers.

European Union policymakers have endorsed the world's first comprehensive AI regulation, covering tools like ChatGPT and biometric surveillance, set to take effect next month.

The Revenue Commissioners have contacted the Department of Finance to express concerns over what the Opposition is calling a "massive loophole" that allows individuals to invest up to €2 million tax-free into their pension funds.

Revenue has introduced a new facility on the Revenue Online Service (ROS) to record advance payments for employee travel and subsistence expenses.

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Peter Burke, has announced several measures to support small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in response to rising costs

Revenue has made significant progress in reducing the debt within the warehouse, with nearly 90% of the €1.65 billion debt either paid off, secured in phased payment arrangements, or included in proposed plans.

The Irish government has announced significant changes to employment permits aimed at streamlining the process for both employers and applicants.

The introduction of a €5,000 grant under the Increased Cost of Business scheme by the Irish government signifies a targeted effort to support small and medium businesses in the retail and hospitality sectors.

Discover the latest Revenue regulations: Section 897C requires employers to report employee expenses and benefits from January 1, 2024. How to stay compliant!

Exciting News! An office has become available to rent at the Bridge Enterprise Centre's Nutgrove Campus. Area: 25 sqm/273 sqft. Facilities include: Ample Parking, 24/7 Access, Access to Meeting Rooms,

A reminder that the deadline for Increased Cost of Business (ICOB) grant registration is fast approaching! Businesses have until 1st May to register on the ICOB Portal at www.icob.ie

2022 saw a rise in Irish business insurance premiums despite lower settlement costs. Discover the Central Bank's insights and future expectations.

We had a very busy and active workshop week at Bridge Enterprise Centres to mark Local Enterprise Week.

Bank of Ireland app users run risk of losing access. Check if you are at risk?

Revenue issues warning on warehoused debt. Engage now, or risk paying onerous interest rates on the balance.

The gender pay gap among larger Irish firms narrowed from 12.6% in 2022 to 11.2% last year.

The government has announced a new Increased Cost of Business (ICOB) Grant for small & medium businesses!

Merger of Nutgrove and St. Kieran's Enterprise Centres creates a vibrant local business nexus.

Friday 8th March, 10am to 12.00pm by Jo Collins - Sales Performance

Thursday 7th March, 9.30am to 10.30am by Gareth Watkins (QFA SIA) - Lynx Financial Services

Wednesday 6th March, 10.30am to 11.30am by Jarlath Moloney from Giant Elk Creative

Wednesday 6th March, 9.30am to 10.30am by Richard McKeown - Digital Marketing Strategist and Consultant with WSI McKeown

Tuesday 5th March, 9.30am to 10.30am by Liz O'Donovan, Senior HR Business Consultant at Voltedge Management

Monday 4th March, 9.30am to 11.30am by Geraldine Lavin, Director, 3rd i Ltd

The challenges caused by modern online scammers, and how to avoid them

With recent changes to pension rules, here are some key facts to know from January 2024

What are the benefits of business planning and why should you engage with it

Start your buisness plan now and grow your business in 2024

Recent changes to payroll submission around tax-free payments, small benefits and remote working allowances

Welcome to Bridge Enterprise Centres!

A new grant announced by the Government to help small businesses with the increased cost of business

Some common mistakes and insights for using GA4 for your business insights

Get ready to navigate the fiscal landscape with our concise summary of the key Budget 2024 points

Find the perfect hot desk for improved productivity & follow these strategies for efficient management

A recent €400K investment announced for start-ups, with Investment decision by Dec 8th

A recent article from the Irish Independent highlights some new supports to help make SMEs smarter leaner and greener