Enterprise Fund Success Stories
We’re pleased to confirm that the Enterprise Fund is NOW OPEN. Until it closes on 5th May at noon, we will share stories from previous Enterprise Fund recipients, about how they are getting on since successfully applying to the Enterprise Fund. This fund is aimed at supporting businesses, with a track record of two years or less, to address barriers to growth using innovative approaches. Full details of the Enterprise Fund, including the Guidance Notes for 2023 are available online now
Erol Bucukoglu, Babadoh, Enterprise Fund Recipient 2022-2023
Enterprise Fund supported equipment design and manufacture, as well as website development
Babadoh are two brothers from Portrush, who are passionate about helping home chefs create the best homemade pizza. They developed an innovative solution for dough proving; the babadoh dough proving container. Made of high quality silicone with a lid designed to keep the dough moist and release CO2, babadoh dough proving containers make it easier for you to create light, round, airy pizza dough better than anything you could buy in a shop.
The Causeway Coast and Glens Enterprise Fund has helped Babadoh move from concept, to product, to selling on Amazon in the USA and Australia. Recent support has enabled them to broaden the portfolio with a larger bowl and expand into new territories across Europe and Canada.
Find out more about babadoh at : https://www.babadoh.com/
Fiona Bryant, White River Charters, Enterprise Fund Recipient 2021-2022
Enterprise Fund supported equipment design and manufacture, as well as website development.
"We were successful in securing funding through the Enterprise Fund 2021-22 towards both our website development and the design, manufacture and installation of a bespoke canopy awning for the deck of our wooden harbour launch-MV Kingfisher to provide visitor experiences along the River Bann.
Our classic boat was built in 1947 by Harland and Wolff in the historic shipyard in Belfast has been restored by us specifically as a tourism venture. The Enterprise Fund allowed us work with a local company (Terapin) to design a bespoke cover for the boat which is in fitting with and sensitive to the historic nature of the boat whilst providing optional drop-down window sides and adequate protection from the elements to allow local people and visitors to enjoy the river environment, scenery, wildlife and heritage in comfort. The new canopy has proved a great success for us, we receive rave reviews directly from our customers and enjoy 5-star rating on Google Review.
As a new and emerging tourism business, beginning operations following a pandemic, the Enterprise Fund came at an opportune time for us and has allowed us to deliver a consistently high-quality product and as such we are recognised as a Tourism NI accredited Embrace a Giant Spirit experience provider. Our customers enjoy their river experiences with us whatever the weather. Our private charters booked for celebrations, events and food tours are planned with each client individually giving them the peace of mind that adverse weather conditions won’t ruin their occasion and that they can book us any season.
Our new website with integral booking system allows visitors to the Causeway Coast and Glens to browse all our details, The Best of the Bann or Meander & Dander experiences, tour dates and times and safely and securely book their next adventure with us online."
Jasper Mckeag, The Old Bushmills Barn, Enterprise Fund Recipient 2021-2022
Enterprise Fund supported facilities upgrade
"When I received my initial business loan from the bank, I was only 23 years old and my lending capacity was tiny. Once my business was established and starting to grow I knew it would take very little investment to take it to the next level.
I applied for the Enterprise Fund in 2021 and was successful. I used the investment to buy state-of-the-art outdoor cooking facilities and to rejuvenate the Tennis Court at The Old Bushmills Barn.
This led to The Old Bushmills Barn winning HC Accommodation of the year 2021 and Self Catering Accommodation of the year 2022 for the whole of Northern Ireland, something I am very proud to bring home for the Causeway Coast and Glens area.
“Installing these five star facilities has raised profits, market reach and our overall business offering. I highly recommend the fund to any young business as it really is that little push that can take it to the next level."
Deborah Mullan, Tree and Tide, Enterprise Fund Recipient 2021-22
Enterprise Fund supported online product development.
Deborah Mullan, from local business Tree & Tide, was delighted to launch the online wellbeing and resilience programme The Rooted Project last week.
Having run this locally as a very successful in-person course, Deborah has been able to launch this as an online product with the help of Causeway Coast and Glens’ Enterprise Fund.
The self-paced programme is ideal for anyone wanting to improve their mental health or provide support to employees or members who are struggling.
Listen to Deborah, in this 1-minute video, describe the Rooted Project, which has been recommended by healthcare professionals.
William Davidson, Steel Yard Café, Enterprise Fund Recipient 2021-22
Enterprise Fund supported purchase of website and online ordering system.
William was successful in securing £2960 via his Enterprise Fund application in 2021-22 for his young business Steel Yard Café based in Ballymoney. He used the funds to bring his business online, by creating a website, that incorporated an online ordering system and allowed him to update menus frequently. He also got some professional photography and videography taken.
Sales rose by 20% after he placed his menu online. William has since invested in a pizza oven, so as to extend his menu and hopes to eventually open a seated cafe.
Micheal O’Kane Premium Clean, Enterprise Fund Recipient 2021-22
(formerly Wheelie Clean)
Enterprise Fund supported the purchase of equipment to expand service offering.
Micheal O’Kane secured £3,168 from the Enterprise Fund in 2021, for his young business, Wheelie Clean NI.
As a one-man business, this allowed him to purchase market-leading machinery, which not only increased the amount of work he could take on but was more environmentally friendly through reduced waste.
Furthermore, Wheelie Clean was able to take on larger contracts, which justified a rebrand to Premium Clean NI to emphasise the broader capacity of work undertaken.
More recently Premium Clean has been able to secure larger commercial cleaning contracts, thanks to the improved equipment and capacity. See our 30 second video on Premium Clean
