EU Business and Innovation Centres (EU-BICs) are an amalgam of best practice from around the world forming a regional instrument to foster and promote Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Established in 1987, WESTBIC is an established unique resource for enterprise creation and promotion of innovation across a range of industry sectors in Border, Midlands and West Region of Ireland. This is achieved through a process of co-operation, integration and networking with existing State Agencies, other intermediaries and community organisations throughout the region.

As a specialist provider in the Governments portfolio of supports to indigenous industry, WESTBIC provides a focused range of development services including:

• Tailored support for early-stage innovative enterprises including animation, training, feasibility study assistance, market research and marketing planning, business development advice/counselling and sourcing of finance.
• Delivery of additional support services aimed at improving the competitiveness and levels of innovation in companies. This is founded on strategic partnerships, in-house skills and experience across a range of disciplines and sectors, and practical knowledge in the development of the tools of enterprise to include incubation, seed capital funds, business planning support etc. One of WESTBICs major strengths is its networks and effective partnerships at regional, national and international level.
  
• Support for incubation and enterprise space development throughout the region in partnership with Communities, the 3rd Level Colleges and the State Agencies.

WESTBIC’s operations in the BMW region are delivered through its regional structures, covering the Border, Midlands and the West Regions. The organisation operates to an accredited ISO 9001:2000 Quality Standard, providing innovation services to value-added start-ups, and knowledge-based, early-stage, innovative enterprise through its network of offices strategically located throughout the region.

WESTBIC is an active member of both the Association of EU BICs in Ireland, as a specialist provider in the Governments Portfolio of Supports to Indigenous Industry and the European Business & Innovation Centres Network (EBN) with over 160 BICs, which are used as a conduit for programme delivery and the transfer of innovative practices, Technology and Market opportunities with the various regions of the EU.

Currently, WESTBIC carries a portfolio of over 400 innovative SMEs, exporting and creating high-value jobs in the region. Through a collaborative approach with strategic partners throughout the region, WESTBIC also offers a range of technical support services in the areas of Local and Regional Economic Development with increased levels of value-added enterprise as the output.