About Us
We give life to
your business idea
Inner City Enterprise (ICE) is a not-for-profit charity and was established in 1992 to advise and assist unemployed people in Dublin’s inner city to set up their own businesses or create their own self-employment. It operated successfully until 2006 supporting the set up over 2500 businesses. During the Celtic tiger years, and due to high employment figures ICE shut down its service. However, following the recession ICE relaunched in the 2012 and currently offers supports to unemployed people seeking to become entrepreneurs, social enterprises and young people interested in entrepreneurship.
ICE RELAUNCHED ITS SERVICES IN 2012
AND SINCE THEN WE HAVE
Registered Over 2800 Clients With Our Services
Supported 1200 Businesses To Get Started
Provided 25 Financial Grants To Start Up And Growing Social Enterprises
Offered Over 30 Training And Networking Events Annually
Provided Training To 200 Young Entrepreneurs
ICE ENTERPRISE SUPPORTS
The ICE Enterprise development officers provide one to one business advice and support to enterprise clients including:
- General advice and support for clients considering self-employment
- Assistance and advice on company and tax registration
- Access to incentives such as the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance
- Assistance with loan and grant applications
- Enterprise workshops including bookkeeping, taxation, social media, and sales and marketing.
- Assistance with the preparation of a business plan
- Access to a panel of voluntary mentors
ICE FINANCIAL SUPPORT
ICE offers micro loan finance from €1,000 – €5,000 over a 3-year period to viable new enterprises for the following:
- Capital Expenditure
- Working Capital
- Business Premises
ICE also work with Micro Finance Ireland, who are providers of loan finance of between €1,000-€25,000.
ICE offer grant support to social enterprises through the Dublin City social enterprise awards.
Evanne Kilmurray
Chief Executive Officer
Evanne is the founder and current CEO of ICE. Evanne has served as a non-executive board director of Forbairt, Telecom Eireann, An Post and MFI. She has been a mentor to the marketing development programme in the Smurfit school of Business and a member of the advisory committee to the Ireland Fund, as well as a trustee of Dublinia. She is currently a trustee of SPADE Enterprise Centre, the secretary of the INOU and the vice chair of the Dublin City Community Co-Op.
Catherine Whelan
Programme Co Ordinator
With 30 years business experience working in partnership with government agencies, corporate clients and not for profit organisations Catherine brings a wealth of experience, knowledge and professionalism to her role with ICE. Catherine previously had her own recruitment agency, employing 3 full time staff, and over 300 outsourced contract employees working across several industry sectors. Catherine is a passionate business mentor who is deeply committed to helping SME’s and Social Enterprises to optimise their performance and achieve their business goals.
Shane Meehan
Enterprise Development Manager
Shane has been with ICE since 2015. Prior to his role with ICE Shane worked with the BOI Group over an 11-year period and had responsibility for a portfolio of business clients, with a focus on the SME start up and growth sectors. Shane is a qualified financial adviser with the Institute of Bankers, and has a post grad certificate in innovation in Social enterprise from DCU.
Bronwyn Clinton
Enterprise Development Officer
Bronwyn has over 20 years experience in business development, project management, and event management in the travel and the banking industries. Working with a number of recognised Tour companies such as Joe Walsh Tours and USIT group travel. Bronwyn created bespoke experiences for her wide range of global clients. On the back of this experience Bronwyn became an entrepreneur and set up her own tour company in late 2019, unfortunately the Covid-19 crisis meant the door closed on her self-employment dream. Bronwyn has also worked with the HSE during the Covid pandemic, project managing and creating a number of online events including global events with the World Health Organisation. Bronwyn has a degree in languages, speaks fluent Italian & has a Masters Degree in Tourism Management. Bronwyn brings her broad range of experience and expertise as well as her enthusiasm for entrepreneurs to her work with ICE.
Geraldine Russell
Accountant
Geraldine Russell CPA has over 30 years’ experience in a variety of finance and IT positions in a range of different companies and industries. She has a broad background in finance, treasury, project management and systems development covering a range of industries. Geraldine currently provides the financial function for Inner City Enterprise Ltd to assist unemployed people create their own self-employment.
