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• Networking site launches, allowing exchange of sales leads
  A new Irish business networking website, SmartLeads.ie, has been launched with the aim of revolutionising how companies generate new sales leads.
• Free 12-month programme in Tallaght for budding entrepreneurs
  Synergy Centre at the Institute of Technology Tallaght, Dublin (ITT Dublin) is currently taking applications for the Synergy Enterprise Platform Programme, a free 12-month full-time practical support programme aimed at budding entrepreneurs in the early stages of setting up a technology-based or a knowledge-intensive business.
• New food start-up Kooky Dough gains TV profile
  The TV3 programme 'Business Matters' fronted by Ivan Yates yesterday highlighted a very new start-up company, Kooky Dough, as part of a review of the general SME landscape.
• LINK! event leads to offshoot wedding business
  Networking can not only help to build sales for start-up companies, but also lead to spin-off ventures being formed, as Sarah Staunton from SPS Solutions, an event management and wedding co-ordination firm, can testify.
• Finance Bill extends tax exemption to start-ups
  In the Finance Bill announced yesterday the existing scheme of tax exemption on the income and gains of new start-up companies over the first three years of operation was extended to certain companies who commence to trade in 2010.
• Derry entrepreneur creates online local business directory
  DCU graduate Joe Foster has launched a new online business directory called izudoo.com that aims to be the No 1 port of call for anyone looking for information on local businesses.
• Emerging Irish software venture makes it onto TechCrunch Europe Top 100 list
  An Irish software start-up, Eventovate is one of only three Irish companies to be listed in the 'TechCrunch Europe Top 100', which is an index of the most innovative and highest-potential European tech companies.
• Irish brothers develop personal media tool
  Two Irish brothers have developed a novel user content tool that will allow internet users all over the world to create a personalised web they can share with friends.
• Free software development worth €5,000 for start-ups on offer
  RND Solutions, a software development company based in Galway, is offering any Irish company or individual the opportunity to apply for free software development to the value of €5,000.
• Software R&D 'matchmaking' network created
  In an effort to stimulate the Irish software industry by bringing together software firms and third-level research institutes, the Irish Software Association (ISA) has launched the Irish Software Innovation Network (ISIN).
• 'No win, no fee' model introduced for small business PR in Kerry
  Public relations (PR) practitioners Anne Kiely, Kiely & Associates and Anthony Garvey have joined forces to offer small businesses a new approach to PR in Kerry - pay only for results.
• Kinsale-based Wish 4 Fairtrade gets up and running with confectionery
  A new company called Wish 4 Fairtrade has started selling Fairtrade-certified snacks and confectionery, and its founder Alan Clayton expects the business to be commercially viable within a year.
• Craft start-ups meet international buyers at showcase
  Up-and-coming craftspeople had a chance this week to show their first collections to 5,000 buyers from Japan, Norway and Europe at the Showcase Expo in the RDS.
• BT Business Essence of the Entrepreneur winners announced in the UK
  The enterprising spirit of UK entrepreneurs who have set out to become their own boss using technology is being celebrated by BT with an exhibition by the renowned photographer Rankin in London over the coming month.
• New online baby store starts up in Carlow
  The trend towards mothers of young children setting up online businesses to serve their peer group is continuing, with the launch of Thebabystore.ie.
• West of Ireland firms fall behind in data protection
  Almost two-thirds of small businesses in the West of Ireland have not implemented policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the Data Protection Acts.
• Online start-up offers unique discount card to social welfare recipients
  A new online company Live4Less has been set up to help people whose lives have changed as a result of the recession by providing a specially designed discount card.
• Virtual learning start-up takes entrepreneurial prize
  Two entrepreneurs who have developed a "gaming approach" to helping students learn foreign languages have won the 2009 David Manley Emerging Entrepreneur Award worth more than €100,000.
• Free marketing clinics for small businesses in Munster
  The Marketing Crowd, a marketing agency based in Killorglin, Co Kerry, is offering a series of free marketing clinics to small businesses in Munster throughout February.
• Increasing demand for business support in Limerick
  In response to the appetite for training among potential business owners in Co Limerick, Limerick County Enterprise Board (LCOEB) is to host a series of courses and workshops over the coming months to promote entrepreneurship.
• More than 50pc of employers screen job seekers online
  Whether you're a college student on the cusp of graduation or you're a current job seeker, it pays to monitor what you post on your social-networking site of choice. A recent survey shows that 53pc of employers do online background checks and sites like Facebook and MySpace are on the list.
• NovaUCD start-up launches HR software for tracking annual and sick leave
  A NovaUCD-based technology start-up, Evolution, has launched Annualleave.com, a human resources software application to help organisations easily manage their employees' annual and sick leave more efficiently.
• Limerick Uni spin-off in global biotech licence deal
  A Limerick biotech firm's patented equipment could make plant-gene analysis faster and cheaper and the company has struck a major licensing and R&D collaboration with US New York Stock Exchange-listed firm Monsanto. It's a shining example of how Irish technologies have the potential to attract global investors
• Irish tech start-up strikes deal with Samsung
  Irish technology start-up Muzu.tv adds to its existing portfolio, including its content deal with the four major record labels, through a new widget that will deliver its online music-video service to the just-announced Internet@TV service from Samsung.
• Competition rolled out to encourage China-UK start-ups
  Queen's University Belfast has launched a competition with a prize fund of £1m sterling to encourage new business ventures between China and the UK. The competition is open to students and local companies.