Donncha Haverty of HKPB Scientific Ltd from Thurles, who will now embark on the seven month intensive fast-track programme at Kerry Technology Park, is pictured with Endeavour Programme manager Breda O'Dwyer.


Tipperary Man in Top 15 of Endeavour Programme
Successful Entrepreneurs to embark on the ultimate fast-track experience.


The Endeavour Programme for entrepreneurs, which last month attracted over 500 applications from up-and-coming business people, today announced a final list of 15 successful participants whose business concepts were chosen following a rigorous selection process. Donncha Haverty from Thurles was among the chosen applicants. Each Endeavouree will now embark on a seven month intensive fast-track programme, designed to bring their business ideas to life.


Created by the Institute of Technology, Tralee, Shannon Development's Kerry Technology Park and entrepreneur Jerry Kennelly, the programme aim is to find, nurture and launch Ireland's next generation of entrepreneurs by April 2010. The 15 successful candidates represent a broad cross section of counties and business interests from online betting and renewable energy to medical devices and animation.


Thurles man Donncha Haverty, a serial innovator and inventor, has previously been named inventor on 5 patents, Research Fellow at Curtin University, Australia, Senior Research Fellow at Aughinish and University of Limerick. He is currently the CEO of HKPB Scientific Ltd which was founded in 2008 to service identified technology gaps within the medical device industry.


The company has two technologies at an advanced stage of international protection Hydroxyapatite, a speciality biomaterial and TMCMC (Thermally Moderated-Collision Mediated Coating).
From November, Donncha and the rest of the participants will each be matched to a mentor who has created, launched and led an internationally successful business.


Each mentor will spend six half-day sessions examining and challenging the business model as well as providing advice and contacts to help develop businesses that can ultimately trade on an international scale.


Mentors include Chairman of the Choice Hotels Group, Frankie Whelehan, Chief Executive of DAFT, Eamonn Fallon, Founder of Worldspreads Group PLC, Conor Foley and Executive Chairman of Jacob Fruitfield Group, Michael Carey.


In addition, the Endeavourees will go through an extensive workshop programme of one-to-one consultations with leading business entrepreneurs such as former Tánaiste and FEXCO Executive Vice Chairman, Dick Spring, CEO of Kerry Group, Stan McCarthy, founder and former CEO of Stockbyte, Jerry Kennelly and Chairman of Aer Arann, Padraig O'Ceidigh.


Dr. Jerry Clifford, Head of Development at the Institute of Technology, Tralee, explains, "The participants will be thoroughly briefed on the fundamentals of creating and sustaining a successful business by Ireland's top business people, as well as having access to all the research and development facilities of IT, Tralee and Kerry Technology Park."


The programme culminates in an international funding showcase at the end of April 2010 where the 15 candidates will get the opportunity to present to potential investors. Eligible candidates will also receive support and salary subvention from Enterprise Ireland.