Industry & Business

BC Bank Ireland has announced that as part of KBC Bright Ideas it has doubled its support fund to €200,000 and launched a new scheme for Ireland’s leading social innovators and entrepreneurs. KBC’s Business Bright Ideas will assist for-profit organisations in the business of having a positive impact on a city or community by addressing a particular social need.

Following a judging process a top award of €50,000 will be granted to the winning applicant who can show how the funding will help have a positive impact on communities. A total of €100,000 will be shared among the top entrants.

Meanwhile KBC’s Bright Ideas community support initiative returns for a fourth year to support individuals and organisations which are transforming and improving the lives of others in their locality. KBC is calling on community groups across the country to apply for financial support for their dream projects from a second fund of €100,000.

Head of Marketing Communications at KBC, Caroline Donnellan said KBC had doubled its funding and expanded its remit to support entrepreneurs and small businesses with a social conscience. “Bright Ideas has been so successful over the last three years that over 100 charities and community groups have been able to improve their locality or help others from our fund. This year we wanted to expand the fund, and the type of people and groups who would benefit from it, so we’ve opened it up to entrepreneurs who have a business that will benefit people and society and have the ambition to grow it for the common good.

“Our team of Business Bright Ideas judges are particularly eager to hear from social enterprises, for- profit organisations that have the potential to positively impact a city or community by addressing a particular social or community need.  “With KBC committing to its long term future in Ireland, we are committed to supporting the micro-SME sector and the communities in which we work.”

Business Bright Ideas will be open to any for-profit business with an innovative idea which demonstrates that it can address a social need and facilitate change. Applicants must also be a viable business and provide supporting accounts to show it is up and running.

Eligible projects must be based in the Republic of Ireland and benefit people in the Republic of Ireland, by offering a solution to a community or social issue in Ireland. Ideas can be based on any theme such as the arts, elderly, sports, children and environment – but must be considered a social enterprise.

Projects that will not be accepted include research projects, party political projects, and those that do not benefit people or the environment.

Applications will be reviewed on a national basis and the judging panel will include KBC Director of Products Darragh Lennon and Irish Times, Finance Correspondent Ciaran Hancock.