NEWS: InterTradeIreland launches Trade Connects 2026 to help SMEs unlock new cross-border growth opportunities With all-island trade reaching a record £14.6/€17.24bn, Trade Connects 2026 will bring businesses together in Dublin and Belfast for expert insights, practical masterclasses and valuable networking opportunities. Hosted by Áine Kerr, the free events will explore cross-border trade, AI, exporting and the supports available to help SMEs grow. You can read more and register at the link below👇 eu1.hubs.ly/H0yCxH80

Will you be joining us at Trade Connects 2026 in Dublin? 📍 Dublin | Thursday 8 October 2026 | The Alex Hotel With expert speakers, practical masterclasses and an engaging panel discussion, this FREE half-day event is designed to help businesses uncover new cross-border opportunities, build valuable connections and gain insights to support future growth. Secure your free place today: eu1.hubs.ly/H0y74K00

We open doors to business opportunities across the island.   Find out more👉 eu1.hubs.ly/H0xh3KB0

Do you have an idea that would help grow your business but are uncertain about investing in innovation? InterTradeIreland’s Innovation Boost programme reduces the cost and uncertainty that comes with innovation investment, by funding up to £56,000 / €67,900 to help solve a critical business problem.   Want to chat with our team to assess your suitability? Fill out the enquiry form on our website and we will be in touch👉eu1.hubs.ly/H0wZVy60

We're hiring an Assistant Director of Enterprise Development! ✔ Salary: £61,292 - £64,780 per annum ✔ Flexible working arrangements ✔ Attractive pension scheme ✔ 30 days' annual leave (plus bank holidays) Interested? Apply now ⬇️ eu1.hubs.ly/H0yxvQD0

Expanding your business can be challenging, but you don't have to do it alone. The Trade Export Pathway offers fully funded specialist support to help your business navigate growth across the island, from market research and customer insights to implementation and growth planning. Access expert guidance designed to help your business achieve sustainable cross-border success. Apply today 👉 eu1.hubs.ly/H0ytL760

Register for our next Funding Advisory Service Workshop on Thursday 2nd October. Workshop content: ✅ Overview of the current funding landscape, including active funders. ✅ How providers of funding make their decisions and discussions around the types of SMEs they have funded. ✅ Advice on how to make your business ready for funding. ✅ Interview with Janice Daly Consulting Partner GT, with a discussion on managing working capital and liquidity ✅ Panel discussion with active funders. 🕙 10:00am - 11:00am 📍 Online Whether you're seeking traditional bank finance or exploring alternative funding options, this workshop will help you identify the right funding solutions to support your business growth. Sign up now 👇 eu1.hubs.ly/H0yjq080

Thinking about tendering for public sector contracts? Now’s the time to get started. Register today for our Go-2-Tender online workshop on 6th or 20th October. Designed for businesses across the island interested in winning public sector tenders, each workshop is delivered over two half-day sessions via Teams and covers the following topics: ✔️ Understanding the market so you can compete ✔️ Sourcing tenders and deciding whether to bid ✔️ Ways to win tenders ✔️ Steps to complete and submit tenders ✔️ How to make tendering success a key part of your business Go-2-Tender workshops are delivered over two half-day sessions, with attendance at both sessions required to progress to the mentoring stage and unlock up to 9 days of fully funded one-to-one mentoring support. Workshop dates: 📅 6th & 8th October and 📅 20th & 22nd October. Secure your spot 👇 eu1.hubs.ly/H0xVWtj0

We’re hiring a Programme Manager - Enterprise Development ✔ Salary: £50,558 – £52,471 per annum ✔ Flexible Working Arrangements ✔ Attractive Pension Package ✔ 30 Days’ Annual Leave (Plus Bank Holidays) Interested? Apply now ⬇️ eu1.hubs.ly/H0yxzlj0

We're hiring an Assistant Director of Enterprise Development! ✔ Salary: £61,292 - £64,780 per annum ✔ Flexible working arrangements ✔ Attractive pension scheme ✔30 days' annual leave (plus bank holidays) Interested? Apply now ⬇️ eu1.hubs.ly/H0yxvGQ0

📣 Panel announcement – Trade Connects Belfast Looking forward to welcoming Lisa Heavey (HB Label Print), Bob McDonald (Burren Balsamics), Ruth Robinson (Full Circle) and Aidan Doherty (MOAT Consultants) to our panel at the upcoming Trade Connects 2026 event in Belfast. The panel will explore the opportunities and challenges facing businesses across the island, sharing practical insights on cross-border trade, market expansion and sustainable business growth. Topics will include:   • Opportunities for cross-border growth • Exporting and market diversification • Building resilient businesses • Lessons learned from trading across the island Secure your FREE ticket today! 📍 Belfast | Wednesday 21 October 2026 | ICC Belfast Register now: eu1.hubs.ly/H0y74jh0

Are you a woman founder looking to introduce more technology into your business? If so, our WeBuild programme is for you!   Don’t take our word for it though – find out what recent participant, Clare Mansfield from Flowering Fertility thought about her time on the programme.   "WeBuild has been transformational for me, both personally and as an entrepreneur. I could barely switch on my computer when I joined. Today, I'm the founder of a digital health platform and have built over 90% of the technology behind it using no-code, low-code and AI tools. It gave me the skills and confidence to turn an idea into a real product." If you want to accelerate your business and make real, measurable progress, then apply now: eu1.hubs.ly/H0yvNHF0 *Applications close Friday 30th October at 12pm The WeBuild all-island programme is led by InterTradeIreland in partnership with @InvestNI and @Entirl, and is part of the Shared Island Enterprise Scheme, funded by the @GovIE.  The delivery partner is @TechFoundHer. #SharedIsland | @Economy_NI | @DeptEnterprise

⌛Last chance to apply⌛ Designed for early-stage exporters, this programme provides complete support to help you get to the right customers and start selling. Through market research, practical workshops, one-to-one mentoring, and hands-on sales assistance, we will help you enter a new market with greater confidence and less risk. Applications for Cohort 2, commencing in October, are now open and will close on 23 September. If you are interested in joining the next cohort, please ensure your application is submitted before the closing date. Find out more and apply now 👉 eu1.hubs.ly/H0y1Jkl0

Feature: The Services Opportunity in Cross-Border Trade Our Research Manager Stuart Mathieson spoke to @agendani about the potential multi-billion opportunity in cross-border services trade. 📈 Services trade has more than quadrupled since 2011: £0.8bn → £3.6bn. 💷 Including tourism and financial services, the value could be £5.3bn. Join business and stakeholders at our event, Unlocking the Potential of All-Island Services Trade, later this month to hear about the opportunities for  SMEs across the island . To attend, email [email protected]. Read the feature here: eu1.hubs.ly/H0yvPYS0 @Economy_NI, @DeptEnterprise , @ChambersIreland, NI Chamber @IBEC_irl , @CBI_NI

InterTradeIreland is seeking to appoint a suitably qualified service provider to manage Innovation Boost Phase VII. Any interested service providers can access this opportunity on our website: eu1.hubs.ly/H0x-6rP0 Closing date for return of tenders is 3pm on 29th September 2026

Looking to grow your business across the island of Ireland? The Trade Export Pathway provides fully funded 1:1 specialist support to help identify new opportunities, overcome challenges, and build a practical strategy for cross-border growth.   Apply today 👉 eu1.hubs.ly/H0ytxwm0

Grow Across the Island Connecting business to opportunities across the island of Ireland. Discover a €17/£14.6 billion market with InterTradeIreland. Learn more: eu1.hubs.ly/H0y1J7Y0

⏳ Last chance to register ⏳ Gain practical insights into EU and UK CBAM requirements, reporting obligations, compliance considerations, and the potential impacts on your business at our next Trade Series Webinar: Getting Businesses Ready for CBAM. Hear from Ebby Toal, Allied Group, who will share his expertise and insights during this informative session. 📅 Tuesday 22nd September 🕚 10:30am – 12:00pm 📍 Online Webinar Register now: eu1.hubs.ly/H0xF90-0

New markets often start with the right connection 🤝 Whether you’re attending one or both of our upcoming Trade Connects events, you will gain access to our online event networking platform, enabling you to connect with fellow delegates during the event.   As well as informal networking opportunities, you can also engage directly with expert mentors and support organisations, helping you identify opportunities and overcome barriers to growth. 📍 Dublin | Thursday 8 October 2026 | The Alex Hotel 📍 Belfast | Wednesday 21 October 2026 | ICC Belfast Register now: eu1.hubs.ly/H0y740K0

Start exporting with less risk and more support. Get the complete support you need to move from ambition to action. With practical workshops, one-to-one mentoring, market research, and hands-on help with selling, you can reduce the cost of entering a new market and start building cross-border sales. Applications for Cohort 2, commencing in October, are now open and will close on 23 September. If you are interested in joining the next cohort, please ensure your application is submitted before the closing date. Find out more and apply now 👉 eu1.hubs.ly/H0xFgYy0