A new start-up incubator will be opened as a direct reaction to the recently announced redundancies in the Limerick region. Evert Bopp, a member of the Limerick Open Coffee Club (a business networking group), has announced that he is opening up a new incubator that will put function before form.

“It has become apparent to me that there is an inherent conflict in expecting a public sector body to stimulate private sector enterprise. The involvement of a public sector body in a private enterprise (a start-up in this case) brings along a large amount of bureaucracy and red tape. It’s simply a fact of life and not a negative reflection on the public sector. However the last thing a start-up entrepreneur needs is to become entangled in paperwork & red tape and any other activity that does not directly lead to product/service development or revenue.”  says Bopp

He follows by outlining his idea:

“Start-ups would have the option to pay rent like a “normal” tenant or if they are short on cash to agree to pay equity in lieu of rent for the first 12 months.

• Tenants will have to go through a “vetting” process similar to Seedcamp, Dragons Den etc. They will be vetted on the strength of their business plan and management team NOT on how well they can fill out forms.
• The primary goal of the incubator would be to let the entrepreneurs and start-ups concentrate on developing their business by removing all “non-essential” activities from their workload and offering them not only work space but also advice, guidance and hands-on participation if needed. We will not only tell you how to do it, we will also show you how to do it.
• The center will have ALL facilities necessary. Not just a shared reception and meeting room but also good canteen facilities (real coffee),  in-house postal service, courier drop-off & collection, storage facilities etc.
• IT services will be second to none.
• There will be in-house legal, accounting and investment services.
• There will be short term leases and hot-desking facilities available.
• Sufficient (free) parking for you, your employees and your customers.
• 24-hour access.
• Daily or weekly “Open Coffee Club” type meetings in a shared room in the center. This is an essential part of the center. You meet, you discuss and you share. No hiding away in your office and not talking to anyone.

The concept rotates around a management company that will operate the incubator. All the investors in the centre will be shareholders in this company and will receive a return from it in this way. However this is not just a commercial operation. The aim is to stimulate entrepreneurship and initiative in the Limerick region and thereby improving the local economy and community. Everyone will benefit from this initiative by the creation of employment and revenue. It is time that people no longer look at the public sector for help. The real strength lies in everyone doing their bit towards the good of everybody!

So how can you help? While Bopp has already received a generous offer for free office space in the center of Limerick city as well as a a range of business services there is a need for a lot more. Below is a list of items that the incubator is still looking for. As it is a voluntary initiative the incubator is looking for sponsorship or donations. In return the sponsors will receive a mention in all publicity and press releases as well as a prominent mention on the incubators website.

• Office fit-out: plasterwork & painting, raised floors etc.
• Office furniture & equipment(desks, chairs, coffee machine(s), whiteboards etc.
• Lighting fixtures
• Telecoms & IT equipment and services
• Legal services (in-house)
• Accountancy services (in-house)
• Investment (private, institutional)

If you can offer support or want to find out more details you can contact Evert Bopp via email on: contactevert@gmail.com or via telephone on: 086/8645099.