The LEAP man

2010/11 LEAP programme is well on its way with 18 new start up businesses employing 30 people between them. For further details visit our web site http://www.leap.ie.

2009/10 LEAP programme participants have completed the year and are trading. It was a great year bagging awards through IntertradeIreland All Island national winner and best new start up. Our first TV success with pedigreecattle.com was the first company to secure funding on the new series RTE Dragons Den are doing well. They are finding the benefit of Sean Gallagher and Gavin Duffy extremely useful. All the other 2008/9 participants are about to embark on the current economical mind field I can only wish the good fortune and watch the cash. They can contact me at any time should they need help. Year end had its usual pushing and prodding to tidy up and plan for the new year 2009. The October 2008 Enterprise Start programme is under way at the EAC LIT with 20 eager new start ups all looking to gain vital knowledge to help them through the difficult journey of starting your own business. The second EAC LEAP Showcase on October 9th 2008 was a resounding success. Please visit http://www.leap.ie/showcase-presentations.php to see the slides. May 2008 we started our second Enterprise Platform Programme with 11 new business start-ups. March 2008 we completed our first Enterprise Start Programme which is designed to give potential new Entrepreneurs an insight into the maze of new business start up.
I have spent the last ten years working closely in all area's with all types of businesses in Ireland and the UK. This has enabled me to help many companies to grow in an ever changing market. The role of mentor/manager to start up / spin-off companies at the Enterprise Acceleration Centre, Limerick which is part of the Limerick Institute of Technology new business incubation centre is a very satisfying role. Some of those businesses have and will been classed as HPSU by Enterprise Ireland.

Specialties
Business start-ups, Mentoring HPSU's, Business Survival, Information Technology Usage and office
Design, Knowledge Gathering and Usage. Business Funding. IT Systems Design. Internet

Communications.

Experience
Limerick Enterprise Acceleration Platform Manager (LEAP) 2011 http://www.leap.ie/ at
Enterprise Acceleration Centre Limerick Institute of Technology
March 2007 - Present (4 years)
Currently I manage 16 new start up businesses through a 1 year Enterprise Platform Programme

(EPP) called LEAP 2010 at Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT) Enterprise Acceleration Centre
(EAC) which is a state of the art Incubation centre attached to LIT. Google me at http://www.leap.ie
. I also work as mentor through Enterprise Ireland and privately to any business that may require
help.

Mentor at Limerick Enterprise Acceleration Platform
January 1998 - Present (13 years 2 months)
To date I have mentored over 150 companies. Eight are fully funded HPSU's through Enterprise
Ireland. The mentoring covered all aspects of the start up process from new conception - New
product development - taking care of existing clients through to wanting to add new revenue streams.

Mentoring Successes
Cauwill Technologies 100k Intertrade Ireland All Island winners 2009
Emutex
Goshido Intertradeireland10K
Wavebreak Media Regional Winner Intertradeireland 20K
BioAtlantis Regional Winner Intertradeireland 20K
Documatics Ernst & Young - Enterprise Ireland Best Service Award
H.P.S.U mentored
Emutex
Goshido
BioAtlantis
Documatics
www.Yougetitback.com
Neotech
Dragons Den
http://www.pedigreecattle.ie secured funding 50k

Team Member at Cahersiveen Wi Fi
2001 - 2003 (2 years)
Helped set up Install and manage the Cahersiveen Satellite Wi Fi system

CEO at Graham Royce Consultancy UK / Ocular Technology Ltd Ireland
January 1990 - January 2002 (12 years 1 month)
Information system design design and implementation.

Clients
BBC Television London - Belfast - Glasgow
BBC Radio
SWEB (South Western Electricity Board) Bristol
Enterprise Ireland
Senior System Analyst at BBC Television London
January 1990 - January 2000 (10 years 1 month)
This was a BBC country wide core project to change the programme accounting procedures
throughout the world BBC network. I worked on the project whilst running my own company
Graham Royce Consultancy Ltd & from Ireland Ocular Technology
During the project I was team leader to a 12 person team which design built and installed what was
called The New Costing System throughout BBC television world wide television network.
Software installation & support at AES / XIOS system Ltd
January 1988 - January 1991 (3 years 1 month)
They were a dedicated desk top word processing networked supplier. This system was pre PC's
using AES Wordplex and dedicated operating system. Inter country networking using peer to peer
networking and IBM Profs.
IT support at Radan Computational
July 1982 - June 1988 (6 years)
Radan was the most important start to my career as I was trained in many aspects of computing
hardware & Software. But more importantly who to be part of a large team and work within that
team.
As a support person I serviced existing client computers, installed new computers with Radan
computational CEA system into both new and existing clients. http://www.radan.com/

Trainee manager at SGB Scaffolding UK & Scafco Ireland
October 1972 - June 1982 (9 years 9 months)
I left my apprenticeship to travel UK but Joined SGB which at the time gave me a chance to move
away from the factory to white collar work which was rapidly growing. It also gave me a chance to
travel and Ireland was my first trip and last with SGB. During this period a recession set in and I
travelled back to the UK as I could not ge work here in Ireland. I spent some time out of work but
eventually I was taken on to a programme which was a for runner to what became the YOP's
programme (Youth Opportunities Programme). At the time computers where beginning to become a
necessary business tool. The YOP programme gave me access through a YOP course at Burwell
College Bristol University. Through this programme I was team up with Radan Computational and
the start of my computer career.
This was a very important time in my life as I also got married and still married to Gillian 35 years
and my two children where born.
Apprentice at Westland Helicopters
September 1970 - September 1972 (2 years 1 month)
EITB 1st 2nd year City and Guilds in Airframe Fitting and Welding. Completed exams taken and
passed with honours

Education
National College of Ireland
BBS(Hons), Strategic Marketing & Planning, Taxation, 2009 - 2010
University of Bristol
EITB 1st & 2nd year City & Guilds Air Frame Fitting & Welding Honours Pass, GCE Taken - English,
Maths, History, Geography, Technical Drawing, Metalwork,, 1980 - 1983
Honors and Awards
AES / XIOS Top IT support person 1990 / 91
Interests
Opera - European Travel - Fishing - Sailing - Photography

22 people have recommended me
"Graham was a fantastic support to Sports AI during the LEAP program and still is. His network is
vast, his knowledge of people and business is sound and far reaching and he has a fun, personable and creative way in dealing with people. Thank you Graham for your guidance, support, positivity and down to earth mentoring which you provided Tony and I. It is very much appreciated. Kind Regards, Tomás Madigan. Sports AI"
— Tomás Madigan, CEO, Sports AI, was with another company when working with Graham at
Enterprise Acceleration Centre Limerick Institute of Technology "Graham has a keen business mind coupled with a unique understanding of human behaviour. He is able to identify how a person needs to be motivated and provides support along this basis. He is an excellent motivator and will go the extra mile to help a would be entreprenuer get on their feet. I would work with him any day. Michelle Bennett."
— Michelle Bennett, Head of Department of Applied Science, Limerick Institute of
Technology, worked with Graham at Enterprise Acceleration Centre Limerick Institute of
Technology "Graham was mentor to one of my companies, Yougetitback. Later as head of LEAP he was responsible for introducing me to Goshido. Graham has energy, bags full of it. He has experience and tenacity to add to that energy. He has a sense of humour - and you need that when you are working with start up entrepreneurs. Graham could turn his hand to pretty much anything. He has never stopped learning and never stopped listening. That is yet one more thing that marks him as special. I would recommend him as a business partner, leader or mentor. Feel free to call me on 086 8280077 for more information or clarification."
— Frank Hannigan, was Graham's client
"Graham is an excellent network and has been very supportive to our company."
— Macdara Butler, Managing Director (CEO), Tricycle Interactive Ltd, was with another company
when working with Graham at Enterprise Acceleration Centre Limerick Institute of Technology
"Graham was very supportive to our company and is an excellent networker."
— Macdara Butler, Managing Director (CEO), Tricycle Interactive Ltd, was with another company
when working with Graham at Enterprise Ireland
"I have known Graham in a professional capacity for some years and have always been impressed
by the level of his commitment to the team cause and the good work he has done in bringing
people together to mutually enhance their positions."
— Gavin Billingham, Student, University of St. Andrews, worked directly with Graham at
Cahersiveen Wi Fi "An enthusiastic member of the team who was always keen to grasp new technology. Graham was always available to offer help and advice to customers and colleagues alike. Graham was a valuable asset to the team at Radan Computational.."
— Craig Walsh, Sales Director, Radan Computational Ltd, managed Graham indirectly at Radan Computational "We recently appeared on RTEs Dragons Den and were very successful. We owe a lot of credit to Graham for the work and preparation he put us through on the days prior to our pitch. He assembled a mock den for us and put us through our paces. He shared his experiences from the BBC with us and this stood to us in a major way. Overall through the year we have presented many business issues to Graham and each and every one of them were dealt in a professional and
precise manner. Every start up needs someone like Graham to bounce ideas off. Keep up the good
work."
— Donall O Connor, Owner, Pedigreecattle.ie, was with another company when working with
Graham at Enterprise Acceleration Centre Limerick Institute of Technology "Graham's reputation proceeded him. I presented at the 2009 LEAP onference and had not as yet met Graham. Laura, my Office Manager had been liaising with him regarding power point presentations and handouts and she said he was " a pleasure to deal with an absolute gentleman." My experience was exactly the same. As with all great facilitators it's never easy to single out what contributed to such a great event - but whatever it was, Graham has it in spades. The event was one of those that was enjoyable, provocative, entertaining and I'm still booking business on the back of it. If you believe in the maxim that "people buy people first, and everything else second" then Graham is your man. Padraic O Maille 0035391 865340 www.omaille.ie info@omaille.ie"
— Padraic O'Maille, Managing Partner, OMailleGroup, was with another company when working with Graham at Enterprise Acceleration Centre Limerick Institute of Technology
"Graham's keen interest in entrepreneurship was invaluable when I established Firebird Medical ltd.
He is a great strategic thinker and intuitively knows how to unlock the potiential in each individual
client. I have no hesitation in recommending Graham."
— John Shanahan, Co-Founder, Firebird Medical Ltd, was with another company when working
with Graham at Enterprise Acceleration Centre Limerick Institute of Technology "Graham, Has an excellant knowledge of start uos, particularly at the very early stage. Keep up the good work Paul"
— Paul Healy, General Manager, The Rubicon Centre, was a consultant or contractor to Graham
at Enterprise Acceleration Centre Limerick Institute of Technology "I have worked on a number of occasions with Graham and have found him to show absolute commitment to the project at hand. He is dedicated to the promotion of entrepreneurship and the support of new companies. He is an excellent contact for anyone thinking of setting up their own
business."
— Dominic Moriarty, Manager Entrepreneurship and Enterprise development, Institute of
Technology Tralee, worked directly with Graham at Enterprise Acceleration Centre Limerick
Institute of Technology "Are you starting a small business in Ireland? Do you seek practical, realistic advice on how to establish and operate the business and prepare yourself for the unforeseen challenges that await you? If you do then I recommend that you speak to Graham. In the early months of my company's formation I was lucky to have Graham mentor me in business planning. His frank no-nonsense advice has been a tremendous contribution to my company's success to date. Moreso, he has introduced me to a wide network of contacts who I now engage as I grow my business. There are lots of advisors in this world... sometimes too many. Graham is one that will actually help make a difference."
— John Twomey, Managing Director, Emutex, was with another company when working with
Graham at Enterprise Acceleration Centre Limerick Institute of Technology
"We hired Graham to deliver training to a group of start-up and early stage entrepreneurs. Graham
quickly built rapport with the group and customised the material to suit the different backgrounds
and businesses of the participants. The subsequent results and participant feedback were more
than satisfactory."
— Garrett Duffy, was Graham's client
"Graham was my mentor on an Enterprise Ireland funded program at Carlow IT in 2007. I found him
excellent to work with; knowlegeable, expert and personable. If you get a chance to work with him,
jump on it."
— Colm Whelan, was Graham's client
"We were fortunate enough to have Graham assigned as our mentor shortly after our business
started. I credit Graham with recommending some fundamentally needed changes to our business
that were key to our success. He managed to get right to the heart of the matter on issues such as
funding and our pricing strategy. We completely revamped both on Graham's urging. He used to do
more than make suggestions, I remember on a few occasions Graham stared at me over the top of
his glasses and said 'Now Anne I know you've got a lot to deal with right now but you've simply got
to take care of .....' Graham helped to provide the focus I needed during a time when every issue
seemed to be screaming for my attention."
— Anne Hannan, was Graham's client
"As a participant on the LEAP Programme for 2008/2009 I have worked closely with Graham, has
his client, in the area of new product development. Graham has a vast wealth of knowledge both
technical and business which he communicates effortlessly to the best interest of his client. Graham
is a strong leader who delightes in your successes."
— Gearoid Kennedy, Owner, KPM Print and Publishing Services, worked directly with Graham at
Enterprise Acceleration Centre Limerick Institute of Technology
"Graham has mentored my throughout the LEAP program and has guided me through all business
aspects with great ease, clarity and understanding. I would strongly recommend anybody starting
up a business or in existing business seeking direction to work with Graham. Pauric."
— Pauric Logue, was Graham's client
"Graham is a fountain of knowledge! He knows everything about starting up a business and getting
funding. I would be lost without him."
— John Reilly, was Graham's client
"I worked with Graham at Radan and we have been in occasional business contact since. He was
always a thorough individual and commited to excelling at his work then, and he carried this self
determination and dedicated approach through to his work while self employed"
— Rob Bamforth, Systems Analyst / Programmer, Radan Computational, worked with Graham at
Self employed "Graham Royce was an Enterprise Ireland mentor I had the opportunity to match with several businesses on an incubation programme for knwoledge/technology based enterprises called the
Genesis Enterprise Programme over a four year period (2002 to 2006). I can unreservedly say he
had the a significant impact on improving the prospects (or survival and growth) of each company
with which he worked. For each GEP business he mentored, he made a significant contribution to
the following: - The pace of acceleration of the business over the 12 months of the GEP - The
personal effectiveness of the entrepreneur - The focus on priority areas of development of the
business - sales, business planning, governance, administration etc - Professional controls and
management practices being adopted early in the life of the business"
— Drew O'Sullivan, was Graham's client
"Graham has superlative relationship and communication skills, a strong grasp of technology and a passion for new enterprise. A perfect combination for his role as a mentor. He is particularly strong in ensuring that all operational tasks are consistent with strategic goals, deadlines and deliverables. He also has an extended network of contacts in Ireland and the UK that can prove invaluable during market investigations. Entrepreneurs can learn a lot from Graham's experience."
— Patricia McGrath, was Graham's client
Contact Graham on LinkedIn

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