Business Showcase : Mainstworks

By @SimonCocking. Dungarvan Enterprise Centre provides affordable office, co-work space & mentoring to new biz. Driving#MainStWorks vision to make Dungarvan Ireland’s tech town.

Describe the company – the elevator pitch …

Mainstworks is a technology incubator in Co Waterford, Ireland, a community hub launched by the Dungarvan Enterprise Centre. We provide budding entrepreneurs with space, infrastructure, facilities and
knowledge sessions as well as access to a network of mentors and potential investors. Mainstworks mission is to blaze the trail for the next generation of tech start-ups in Ireland.

How are you different?

We are flexible and responsive, we can move as quickly as your business can. Our rural location offers lifetstyle benefits that you simply won’t find in a typical city incubator, Dungarvan is known for its food, craft and outdoors culture. A bohemian hive of cultural activity, the town is also sitting on fibre
optic since 1999, meaning any business can operate from here.

Why will the company  do well?

We are working towards creating successful start-ups, if they succeed we will succeed, which is great motivation.

Best way to get #BackToWork afternoon surf in #Clonea #Dungarvan, not a bad place to start a new business! pic.twitter.com/ymgbGkhYw5

— Dungarvan EC (@dungarvanec) January 4, 2016

Where are you based?

Dungarvan, a beautiful seaside town nestled between mountains and beaches just off the N25 for Cork Airport and the M9 for Dublin Airport.

When was the company launched?

We opened in 2012 with a mission to create a digital hub in West Waterford.

Delighted to have these guys visiting Dungarvan on 23rd March with their Applying Innovation workshop https://t.co/2tJi6z69pV

— Dungarvan EC (@dungarvanec) February 18, 2016

What have been your biggest wins to date?

We have attracted some amazing speakers to our centre such as Bill Liao and Lauren Fisher. We have attracted some amazing start-ups like betting software company Onionsack and innovative food start-up Fullfill Co. We managed to secure an investment from Smarter Travel Dungarvan to create our co-working space and we have worked with global digital education leader Digital Marketing Institute to deliver their programmes. Not bad for a small community organisation!

Who are you trying to attract?

Tech start-ups and people who are freelancing in this space, such as creatives, web designers and developers.

Tell us about your team?

I manage the centre and have done since it opened. I’m passionate about business and excited by the impact of technology on small business in Ireland. I think it’s amazing to see so many people makign a go of their dreams. Sarah looks after our content marketing. We also have volunteers who lend their expertise.

What are you long term plans for your company?

We want to become the engine that drives a tech agenda for the town of Dungarvan, we want to be at the heart of the development of a digital good news story in South East Ireland.

What are your favourite tech gadgets?

As a music lover am dying to own an AIR floating bluetooth speaker and I’m weak for my fitbit.

What tech gadgets do you wish you could use to help you?

It would be amazing to be able to geolocate techie visitors to town and let them know where we are.

How do people get in touch with you?

People can [email protected], tweet @dungarvanec, visit www.mainstworks.com or
call 058 23598

Only when working in Dungarvan is it possible to take a longer lunch break and head to Clonea for a surf #longboard pic.twitter.com/UsJxMke7fs

— Dungarvan EC (@dungarvanec) January 4, 2016

If you would like to have your company featured in the Irish Tech News Business Showcase, get in contact with us at [email protected] or on Twitter: @SimonCocking