Donnacha’s Experience:
Donncha Hughes has worked as a self employed trainer, consultant and mentor since 2010. He delivers specialist startup training for various New Frontiers programmes across Ireland; on topic such as Market Validation, Lean Startup Marketing, Business Model Development; and Negotiations. He writes regular blogs on these topics.
Donncha specialises in working with promoters of startup enterprises. He has knowledge of enterprise agency supports for business to include those offered by Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices. He is a member of the Enterprise Ireland Competitive Start Fund Evaluation Panel.
An experienced mentor, Donncha has undertaken 4 mentoring assignments for Bizmentors to date:
- Assisted an IT Services group to create a One Page Marketing Plan to support their strategy for growth. Reviewed customer targets, pricing, sales approach and internal team communication.
- Engaged with a Youth Organisation to examine funding options for a new programme. Challenged mentee to develop a plan and approach which when implemented led to gain of practical skills and knowledge. Happy to report that significant progress was made to progress the concept within the organisation.
- Worked with a sole trader on business planning. Discussion of: ideal customer, pricing, Unique Selling Point, and service solution focus (what to offer and more importantly clarity on work they don’t do).
- Mentored a Social Enterprise to examine their business for purposes of applying for a national award to include written application and pitch/ interview.
Donncha’s work career includes four years as Manager of Limerick Institute of Technology’s on campus incubation centre; and 7.5 years as Business Development Executive with IBEC. He has a B.Comm and Masters in Marketing from NUIG.
