Enterprise Ireland companies saw an increase of 10% in exports in 2015, compared with 2014, amounting to an all-time high of €20.6 billion. The export figure is now almost double what it was 10 years ago. There were increases in exports in all sectors notably software, construction and manufacturing. There was a big focus on diversification into USA, Europe and High Growth Markets.

The Enterprise Ireland Student Entrepreneur Awards are part of a major drive aimed at encouraging students to start their own businesses; helping them turn their ideas into a commercial reality. This year celebrates the 35th year of these prestigious awards. Gasgon Medical is this year's winner. The company aims to deliver unique and innovative medical devices to improve patient safety and support medical professionals during common procedures.

Applications for the 2016 Innovation Arena at the upcoming National Ploughing Championships are now open, www.innovationarena.ie. Previous participants talk about how showcasing their products & innovations at the Innovation Arena benefited their companies.

Starting & growing businesses is a key focus of Enterprise Ireland's Female Entrepreneurship programmes which include a dedicated Competitive Start Fund to encourage more women to start a business. 61 new female-led start-ups were supported by Enterprise Ireland in 2015 - up from 43 in 2014

Over 300 start-ups, investors and entrepreneurs gathered at Dublin Castle for the High Potential Start-Up Class of 2015 Investor & Networking Event.

Start-ups are a powerful engine of job creation and economic growth. Nurturing and supporting early stage High Potential Start-Ups is a key pillar of Enterprise Ireland’s strategy ‘Driving Enterprise, Delivering Jobs’.

Showcase 2016, Ireland’s International Creative Expo at the RDS in Dublin, is one of the country’s largest international trade fairs. This year's event will see over 5,000 buyers from more than 20 countries, including the UK, North America, Germany, Italy, Japan and UAE..

January 5 2016: Enterprise Ireland, the Government agency responsible for developing Irish business globally, has reported the creation of 21,118 new jobs by client companies in 2015.