Each of the 5 businesses will receive a bespoke digital transformation package

 

Tuesday, June 1^st, 2021: Virgin Media’s ‘Backing Business’ Initiative has selected its 5 Munster-based businesses to undergo a complete digital transformation worth €100,000. The initiative, which launched on May 4^th to find and support five businesses from across the region, received 149 applicants in just two weeks.

 

The aim of the campaign is to help small businesses benefit from new online consumer spending patterns with support from industry experts to help raise their ecommerce offering to the next level. The 5 businesses selected are:

 

Cork-based branded homeware company Fervor + Hue who are Irish owned and offer an eclectic collection of select-piece furniture, soft furnishings, lighting, wall art and more.

 

Kerry-based company Grounded Pottery who offer hand-crafted ceramic reusable travel cups with designs inspired by the Irish countryside.

 

Limerick-based company Lucy Erridge is a place where you can immerse yourself in fine craftsmanship and design excellence.

 

Tipperary-based food company, Rívesci who produce award-winning hand-made condiments which appear on menus in cafes and bistros around the country.

 

Waterford-based company, Dust + Rock, which was founded by Susan Furniss Radley, designer of the ‘Wrist Pocket’, a unique take on an everyday purse with added functionality and peace of mind due to its clever design. 

 

The five selected businesses will get a share of the overall €100,000 in support and will also benefit hugely from the expertise and insights of each of the Virgin Media ‘Backing Business’ partners.

 

This includes one year of free Fibre Business Broadband with Virgin Media Business, an online Shopify Store built by Milk Bottle Labs and business development support and full membership of Digital Business Ireland's extensive network.

 

They will also receive mentoring in digital marketing from their Local Enterprise Office and the overall initiative is supported with programme funding from Permanent TSB.

 

The Backing Business partners - Digital Business Ireland (DBI), Permanent TSB, Milk Bottle Labs, Virgin Media Business and Munster Local Enterprise Offices – said: “Since launching on May 4^th, we’ve had a fantastic response to our new Munster-focused ‘Backing Business’ initiative. Congratulations to Fervor + Hue, Grounded Pottery, Lucy Erridge, Rívesci and Dust + Rock, each of which are already offering fantastic products and services to their customers.

 

We’re excited to begin working with each of them closely over the coming weeks along with our partners, Permanent TSB, Milk Bottle Labs, Digital Business Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices across Munster, to really bring their businesses to the next level.”