I propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 83 together.
The purpose of the Competitive Start Fund (CSF) is to accelerate the growth of start-up companies that have the capability to succeed in global markets. The CSF is designed to enable those companies reach key commercial and technical milestones.
During 2012 and 2013 a total of 1,212 applications were received under the CSF and each application was evaluated by an external assessor. The cost of the external assessment varies depending on the nature and complexity of the application. The average cost of assessments in 2012 and 2013 was €73.34 and €70.64 respectively. Enterprise Ireland has not set a fixed amount per proposal evaluated.
The external assessors are professionals who are required to have experience of technology start-ups and also relevant sectoral expertise. The assessors are appointed following an open call for tender. The tender was advertised in May 2012 on www.etenders.ie and the call remains open for applications on an ongoing basis.
Details of the total amount paid to each external assessor for the evaluation of proposals under the CSF for the years 2012 and 2013 is set out in the following Table.
Table - Assessors who conducted CSF application assessments in 2012 & 2013
Name
|
2012
|
2013
|
Total Paid
|
Vennetics Ltd
|
€11,200
|
€800
|
€12,000
|
Liam Ryan
|
€2,400
|
€0
|
€2,400
|
Jim Maher
|
€2,100
|
€0
|
€2,100
|
Tony Haslam
|
€2,400
|
€0
|
€2,400
|
Ruby Consulting Ltd
|
€5,300
|
€10,897.25
|
€16,197.25
|
Xcell Partners Ltd
|
€5,200
|
€6,825
|
€12,025
|
Halcyon Business Solutions Ltd
|
€4,500
|
€0
|
€4,500
|
Abbey Software Consulting Ltd
|
€3,500
|
€13,650
|
€17,150
|
Donncha Hughes
|
€0
|
€11,210
|
€11,210
|
Egmont Management Ltd
|
€0
|
€5,200
|
€5,200
|
Cork BIC
|
€0
|
€1,787.50
|
€1,787.50
|