Technologies: iPhone
Project Size: 5/5
My Responsibly: Promotion, Business, Strategy, Financial
Project Size: 5/5
My Responsibly: Promotion, Business, Strategy, Financial
Description: The Endeavour Program is an intense entrepreneurial programme involving dragons den style pitching and a comprehensive masterclass in all areas of business from Irelands best in the given area.
Background
Background
This all happened around the time I was graduating with my Honours Degree from Tralee Institute of Technology. I was also working on the Idea for an iPhone app and setting up my business. A friend of mine tipped me onto a big Entrepreneurial program that was starting in Tralee. So I decided to throw my hat in the ring and started working on the Physical Analytics App, and made discussed what would be involved with my business partner.
Competing
Applying initially involved submitting an business plan. From 600 60 were selected. We were invited back to a briefing/training day to explain what was expected from the next round and pitching in general.
The next round was going to be a half hour dragons den style pitch with 12-15 Irish business leaders grilling you
on every area of the business.
We were allowed a ten minute pitch. As well as putting this together but also collected a list of every question that could be asked. I watched seasons dragons den collecting the questions that were asked and studying the best pitches. I asked business people I knew for more questions.
Day and night I filled the white boards with questions and answers, refining and refining. at the same time building the software that I would demo during the pitch.After I had it ready I rehearsed, rehearsed and rehearsed some more. I pitched to friends I pitched with exercising and sparing to emulate nerves. I was as ready as I could be but I knew I was going up against MBA and veteran business people.
Pitch day came, they were running hours late, people were hungry and worn out. After a few hours wait I was led into a room with about 15 people sitting around a long table. In the end I wen't off pitch, much was a blur but for 45 minutes they torn into every aspect of the business at a point they brought in an expert on speakerphone to tear into the technical aspects. It was 45 minutes of attack and interrogation.
A few weeks later I was at my graduation, about an hour later on that day I received a call informing me I was one of 15 selected. I was in the Endeavour programme. I was told later that they were impressed by how I stood up to the grilling.
Facilities
We were given office space at Shannon Developments incubation center in the Tralee technology park and there would be work shop sessions from 8 am to 6 pm every day. As it turns out they usual went to 7:30 or 8 pm. From 8pm onwards I worked on the iPhone app and the business. For 6 months I worked hard every second of my waking day but It was an invaluable experience. As well as the building the business and the product be attended workshops, crash courses in each area of a business, thought by leaders in each area of the business.
Strategy
Tom McCarthy IMI
Padraig o ceidigh Aer Arran
MikeWebster Fexco
Jimmy Martain AMCS Group
Finance
Franks O Neill Ernst & Young
Frank Walsh Enterprise Equity
JT O'Sullivan BioAtlantis
Aldagh McDonagh Alternatives Marketing
Richie Ryan/Ashling Wixted Greenhouse
Carolyn Odgers Chemistry
Ray Nolan Hostalworld,com
Brian English Qupact International
Legal
Andrew McIntyre Willian Fry
Jerry Kennelly
Technologies
Monique Meche CISCO
Colm Lyon Realex
Team
Adrian Grey UCC
Anna Pringle NTR
Ogie Sheehy You Comply
Communications
Terry Prone
Gerard Teahon SalesSencse
ConclusionThe workshops were life changing, the people I met were inspiring. We were giving excellent advice by people who were the tops of there fields in Business, Entrepreneurship, Politics, Strategy, Communications, Marketing, Branding, Financials, Sales, Technology, Team building, IP and Law. Something I will be eternally grateful for. I was amongst some of the best business and marketing minds I am ever likely to meet. [http://www.endeavour.biz/programme/]
