Currently in its fourth instalment, the Three Grants for Small Businesses initiative is set to award ten Irish enterprises with grants valued at €10,000 each. These grants consist of €5,000 cash, with the balance being provided in the form of products and solutions from Three.
Additionally, the top 20 shortlisted contenders will be privy to expert advice sessions. Three will be furnishing guidance across essential business areas such as procurement, sustainability, technology, marketing, public relations, social media, and product development.
Now well established, the awards operate on an annual cycle, explains Padraig Sheerin, the head of SME at Three Ireland. From September onwards, the programme becomes bustling with applications and adjudication processes. The first part of the year is typically spent collaborating with the previous year’s victors on the perfect solutions for their specific needs. The programme has thus far unearthed 30 exceptional winning businesses over the past three years.
Sheerin strongly believes in the necessity of Three’s support for the small businesses community. According to the Small Firms Association, small businesses account for 98% of all Irish businesses. Most of these are microenterprises, employing fewer than 10 individuals, and they constitute the backbone of Ireland’s economy and business landscape. These businesses have faced significant challenges, including the global pandemic, conflict in Europe and Brexit, in recent years. These situations have created significant financial stress, and Three’s grant programme aims to provide crucial support.
From the batch of 2023 winners is Atlantic Scuba Adventures, the first solar-powered dive centre in Europe, based in Galway. Its founder, Kirsty Moran, established the business in 2022 as a passionate venture. The enterprise was created to provide a unique, customised, eco-friendly, welcoming and safe facility to make diving more widely accessible. Catering to age groups ranging from six to beyond 60, this business offers snorkelling and scuba activities. It also boasts a unique dive site situated at a maërl coral beach, providing crystal-clear water for diving.
The company has experienced quick expansion, amassing a seven-person team that operates in the diving season from May to September. The grant provided by Three has been monumental, bringing about several benefits, as described by Moran. A noteworthy advancement includes having a business phone with separate SIM cards, bringing an immense difference. The monetary reward has offered the chance to organise more local events and form a local community club at lower costs.
Jill Lyons established Companion Tandems in Cork as a solution to her family’s predicament. “My youngest daughter is living with Down syndrome,” she states, “Cycling has always been a family activity, but she can’t ride a bike independently. She would usually ride on the back seat of the bike, often waving and greeting people. As she grew older, this became risky and impractical. After extensive research, I discovered high-quality rear-controlled tandems, but they exceeded our budget.”
Undeterred, Lyons reached out to vendors. She realised the potential of buying well-maintained second-hand bikes and reselling them within the Irish market. And thus, Companion Tandems was born.
“We have assisted a myriad of individuals with unique requirements. There are specially-designed bikes for those with mobility issues, tricycles with space for three, and bikes that can fit wheelchairs,” Lyons explains. “While brand new bikes can range from €3,000 to €12,000, our second-hand bikes cost 50-70% less, making them more financially accessible. The influence of cycling on individuals’ wellbeing is considerable, by permitting social interactions and outdoor activities. It benefits not just individuals with special needs but also younger families.”
Lyons echoes the sentiments about the Three grant, stating it has been phenomenal. “The grant eased our financial stress, we managed to buy a fantastic new phone, upgrade our website, and hire a professional designer. We’ve been striving to elevate our brand via demonstration days around the nation, and the Three grant has been instrumental in that respect.”
“Sheerin is eager to be captivated by more awe-inspiring tales from participants in the 2024 awards. “It’s completely an honour to engage with small businesses on a daily basis and witness the incredible talent that exists,” shares Sheerin. “Establishing a business single-handedly requires ample courage. Applications for the subsequent programme will commence in September.” Visit 3.ie/grants for additional details.”