Small Business Can

GCD Technologies was established amidst the dot.com bubble in 1999. Yet, unlike many of its peers, the company has not only survived, but is doing very well.

Andrew Cuthbert and Andrew Gough were school friends who were still at university at Queen's when they were contacted by another old friend who had moved into business investment.

Managing the lives of busy professionals is paying dividends for Galway-based e-venture Busylizz.ie Established in 2004 by entrepreneur Tara Dalrymple, the company provides lifestyle management services to private clients, sole traders and small ventures. 

It employs seven staff in Galway, Dublin, Limerick, Cork and Wicklow. Services range from e-marketing, social marketing, website development and print design to dictation, transcription and powerpoint presentations. 

Jenny and Peter Young took over the 100-year-old family farm in 1999. Located between Kilcullen and Athy, the 170-acre site is predominantly a dairy farm, but they also keep a flock of 200 free-range hens for eggs and 100 cattle for beef.

Derry firm HugX has signed a major deal to sell its mess-free pet feeder on Frontgate.com, one of the largest catalogue and online retailers in the US. The deal will give the company direct access to a client base of some 83 million consumers in the US, where the lucrative pet care market is valued at US$45 billion annually.

Galway firm Crospon has secured its first overseas sale in an international agreement with distribution partner Medical Measurement Systems (MMS).

Kildare company ICE Tech is taking its digital solutions worldwide with a spate of new agreements with global clients.

They say there is no substitute for locally sourced food and judging by the introduction of a unique pig producing company this firmly held belief looks like ringing true. And it's all down to the foundation of the pioneering. Truly Irish Country Foods, which is now making its presence felt locally. he North South Pig Company has big plans for its newly launched venture, Truly Irish Country Food brands.

Dublin packaging specialist TLC has invested €2 million in just six months to develop new technology for its food labeling business.