Events, News & Opportunities Across the North West

Welcome to the ii Update Newsletter.

inishowen innovation – ii – is focused on supporting founders, remote workers and growing businesses across Inishowen and the North West – creating space for connection, collaboration and opportunity.

Each edition of our newsletter brings together upcoming ii events, funding, innovation and growth supports, along with partner opportunities – helping you stay informed and connected to what’s happening across the region.

📍 What’s Happening at the ii

Workplace Wellbeing Day – ii Meetup | 🗓 Wednesday 29 April | 4pm

Join us this Wednesday for a relaxed drop-in focused on personal wellbeing and connection. Hear from Inishowen Development Partnership about opportunities designed to support health, resilience, and personal development through the HARC Project, connect with others working remotely or for themselves, and help shape a new drop-in accountability group.

📍 Buncrana | 🕓 4–6:30pm (drop in anytime) 👉 Details & sign-up: https://theii.com/event/workplace-wellbeing-day-3/

European Coworking Day – ii Open Day |🗓 Wednesday 6 May | all day

Thinking about coworking but not sure? WFH getting a bit “samey”? Still talking about catching up with your remote-working friend more often?

European Coworking Day at the ii, in collaboration with Grow Remote, is your opportunity to change things up. Register to spend a free day working here to experience the space, enjoy great facilities and coffee, and see how coworking can support your work and connections. You’ll also be treated to lunch courtesy of Grow Remote, who help create and support remote working communities.

👉 Sign up: https://theii.com/event/european-coworking-day-ii-open-day/

Performance Management: Driving Success in the Workplace | 🗓 Wednesday 13 May | 10-11:30am

HR Team, in collaboration with theii.com, is presenting this practical workshop, which will equip managers and business owners with the tools and confidence to address underperformance, improve productivity, and stay compliant with employment law. Attendees will gain clear frameworks for setting expectations, delivering effective feedback, and managing performance issues fairly – helping turn everyday challenges into measurable business results.

This seminar is ideal for line managers, supervisors, team leaders, middle and senior managers, HR professionals and business owners. You will leave with practical systems, ready-to-use frameworks and the confidence to manage employee performance fairly and effectively.

👉 Register: https://theii.com/event/performance-management-driving-success-in-the-workplace/

💰 Funding, Investment & Growth Supports

PorterShed’s Get PSSF-Ready Virtual Accelerator Programme

📝 Learn more and apply: https://portershed.com/get-pssf-ready/

PorterShed, in partnership with Bertie, is launching a new virtual accelerator to help early-stage tech founders strengthen their commercial case and prepare a competitive Pre-Seed Startup Fund (PSSF) application.

The programme is aimed at startups with validated ideas and early traction, offering mentorship, access to an AI-powered venture builder platform, weekly check-ins, and structured milestones aligned to PSSF submission. Participants commit to submitting a PSSF application within two weeks of completion.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until 4th May, with limited places available for startups based across the West and Northwest.

InterTradeIreland Programmes and Events

InterTradeIreland is a powerful driver of business growth across the island, having supported over 65,000 businesses and helped generate more than €2.2 billion in development value. Through expert advice and practical support, they connect SMEs with customers, suppliers, investors, and innovation networks to unlock new opportunities.

Established under the Good Friday Agreement, InterTradeIreland champions collaboration, working with partners North and South to deliver shared economic success. If you’re looking to expand, innovate, or explore new markets, InterTradeIreland offers the connections and expertise to help your business thrive. Check out their event opportunities here: https://intertradeireland.com/events

InterTradeIreland Trade Hub

The Trade Hub is a dedicated service that supports existing and new SMEs by providing up-to-date, relevant trade information and fully funded one-to-one expert advice to help you trade efficiently and grow your export potential.

Access guidance on customs, VAT, regulations, and employment, along with tailored support – book your free consultation to get started.

💡 Skills Development Supports

Fully Funded Digital Skills Courses (NW DEPTH)

The North West Digital Employment Pathways Training Hub (NW DEPTH) is offering a range of fully funded upskilling and reskilling courses in digital and cybersecurity skills.

Led by Atlantic Technological University in partnership with Ulster University, North West Regional College (NWRC) and Donegal ETB, this initiative aims to support over 2,000 people across the North West region. Courses are designed to help individuals:

• Build in-demand digital skills
• Progress in their current role or transition careers
• Access new employment opportunities

A great opportunity for anyone looking to future-proof their skills or explore new career pathways. Check out all the funded Digital Skills Courses at https://mynwtec.com/nw-depth-programmes/ or check out the brochure here: https://simplebooklet.com/nwdepthbrochure

⭐ Partner Spotlight – HR Team

We’re delighted to highlight HR Team Services, a valued Corporate Sponsor Member of theii.com.

HR Team Services, founded by Breda Cullen and Martina McAuley, is a leading HR consultancy supporting organisations across Ireland and the UK with expert guidance on employment law, HR and health and safety. Their practical, commercially focused approach helps businesses of all sizes navigate challenges, compliance, and people management with confidence.

Offering flexible support – from fully outsourced HR solutions to working alongside in-house teams – they provide tailored advice, documentation, and training to meet each client’s needs.

As a Corporate Sponsor Member, HR Team Services brings valuable expertise to our network and wider business community – including their upcoming seminar on Wednesday 13 May.

👉 Register for HR Team’s seminar: Performance Management – Driving Success in the Workplace

Please feel free to reach out directly if you’d like to:

• Host an event at the ii
• Share an opportunity with our network
• Explore membership
• Or discuss partnership opportunities

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