ToyPing wants to change the way we buy toys

Selecting toys can sometimes feel like looking for a needle in a haystack. ToyPing aims to be the solution to that struggle.
Ciaran Sheridan, CEO and one of the founders of Galway firm, ToyPing, outlines his vision to revolutionise toy buying by empowering parents “to quickly and confidently make informed toy purchases from the most comprehensive product portfolio, based on their child’s interests, age and stage of development”.
“We’re all familiar with the parental frustration of time and money invested in a toy, which is discarded after only one play. In today’s information overloaded world, customers deserve an individualised toy search service to enable fast discovery and certain purchases that will delight and develop their kids,” said Ciaran.
“If ToyPing became a verb for the term used when someone wants to quickly discover a toy, then we have succeeded. It’s that simple.”
Three simple steps
ToyPing has developed an intuitive user experience, underpinned by a suite of smart search algorithms to instantly give customers a personalised and constantly evolving curated selection from over 1.2 million toys on Amazon.

In three simple steps, customers are presented with a curated list of up to 18 toys to match their child’s interests, age and price criteria. Clicking on one of the toys will take customers directly to the Amazon website, where they can securely and “confidently” complete their purchase.
“We decided from the outset that we would invest in developing deep learning technology and customer acquisition channels, rather than in owning the stock. We secured an affiliate partnership with Amazon, the best global fulfilment company in the world, and this gave us access to the most comprehensive product range.”
“Toyping plans to launch in the US at the start of 2018, and it has already lined up the Amazon.com US affiliate partnership.”
Deep learning capabilities
The company website launched in May 2017, and it

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Five ways to be productive after a holiday

Are you returning from a holiday, back to a hectic schedule at work and at home? Here’s how to ‘land gently’ and get back to your productive best.

The week before a holiday is often the busiest week of the year. We become super-productive as we crack through our to do list in an attempt to clear everything before we leave. We want to make sure that we have communicated with everyone and tied up any loose ends.

The post holiday blues

In contrast, the first few days back from holiday can often be our least productive days. We can feel demotivated. We often don’t feel ready to resume our normal hectic pace. We can find it hard to get back into “work mode”. All the details that were so clear before we left can seem very blurred on our return. So, how can we take control and be productive after our holiday?

“Maintain some of your holiday buzz by doing something you enjoy like a cinema trip, a spa treatment or a meal out.”

1. Prepare the ground before you leave

The trick is to spend time planning the first days back before you finish up. At this point, you are tuned into the finer details of every project or issue, so this is the best time to record as much detail as you can. Prepare notes for upcoming meetings, jot down key points for reports, make draft plans for things you need to tackle that first week back. Expect to (temporarily) forget most of the knowledge in your head, as that is the purpose of your holiday after all.

2. Be strategic with your return schedule

Some people like to ease back into things with a low-key schedule, but I find the opposite works best for me. I arrange a couple of key meetings so that I have to get back into a productive mode quickly. I don’t welcome this on my first morning back, but by the end of the day, I am glad.

Consider what works best for you, your role and your environment. But be prepared to challenge yourself if you need to.

3. Make the most of your relaxed mind

If you have successfully switched off during your holiday, your account will probably be free from all the usual stress and clutter. Some of the best ideas come to mind when you can see things more clearly and objectively. So use this rare state of mind to do some creative thinking and planning. But be careful; you can sometimes be too free-thinking and unrestrained that first day back. Make sure you don’t upset anyone by speaking too openly or honestly.

“If you usually exercise regularly try to resume this on your first day back.”

4. Resume your routines that work

It can take some time to get back into productive habits when you first return. If you usually exercise regularly try to resume this on your first day back. Enable your healthy eating habits by building in time to visit the supermarket before you go back to work so you can set yourself up for a healthy week.

5. Be nice to yourself

If you have the flexibility, reward yourself for being productive with an early finish time those first few days back. Maintain some of your holiday buzz by doing something you enjoy like a cinema trip, a spa treatment or a meal out.

So have a great holiday and let me know if any of these tips work for you.

Article by Moira Dunne, BeProductive.ie.

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Firemole – a Cork invention that went viral

Corkman Sean O’Tuama’s invention Firemole can save lives by alerting people to electronic devices that are overheating.

Describe your invention, what’s its USP?

Firemole is a patent pending, first of its kind, safety-tech gadget that can be attached to various electrical and electronic devices such as chargers, phones and plug tops. Once the Firemole detects a temperature of 54ºC, it sounds an in-built alarm, alerting users to the high temperatures. Firemole will sound the alarm way before a fire breaks out, making it a very valuable product to the user.

“I began by contacting Genesis Circuits in Cork. Frank and Tom were a tremendous help in streamlining the design and the electronics.”

How did you come up with the idea?

I worked as an electrician for years and came across numerous fires caused by faulty, ageing or counterfeit electrical devices. It was only after a close call in my own home, that got me thinking about developing the Firemole device. It makes sense to try and detect rising temperatures before a fire starts.

“Firemole went completely viral on Twitter with nearly two million impressions over a 24-hour period.”

How did you get it made, what was that process like?

Like any startup, it has been an uphill battle, but we have made significant progress over the last year. I began by contacting Genesis Circuits in Cork. Frank and Tom were a tremendous help in streamlining the design and the electronics. Once we were happy with that, I went to MAAS Engineering (also in Cork), and they made the tool for the plastic housing and metal base. By keeping everything local, it taught me an enormous amount about the manufacturing industry as I was able to call out to both Genesis and MAAS to see what was going on.

We were then accepted onto Enterprise Ireland’s New Frontiers Phase Two program in the Rubicon Centre, and that gave some much-needed funding along with a feasibility study grant which the Cork City Local Enterprise Office gave me.

We are now market ready and plan to launch a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo.

“With Firemole being a brand new type of product, it will take a lot of education and testing to figure out what are the best channels to market.”

The press picked up on the story and you were flooded with orders. How did that happen?

Firemole won the ‘Most Innovative Product’ award from the New Frontiers Phase Two program so I decided to send out a press release thinking that maybe my local newspaper might pick up on it. Well, they didn’t, but nearly every other major news outlet in the country did including The Journal, The Independent, The Daily Mail and various radio stations. Firemole went completely viral on Twitter with nearly two million impressions over a 24-hour period. All of this attention gave the company some great validation as pre-orders started rolling in on the Firemole.com website (which luckily I had set up the night before).

“We’ve already been contacted by distributors, so it looks like international expansion will occur quickly.”

What’s your marketing strategy for the future?

With Firemole being a brand new type of product, it will take a lot of education and testing to figure out what are the best channels to market. We are not just trying to sell people a product; we want to build a community around Firemole who want to come on the start-up journey with us and be part of this new age of safety-tech. We will be doing weekly vlogs (video blogs), so people can see what is going on in the background of the company and plan to push out as much content as possible through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Linkedin and YouTube.

What are your international expansion plans?

With our crowdfunding campaign, we will be selling to Europe, the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. We have already been contacted by major distributors who want to carry the Firemole device, so it looks like international expansion will occur quickly. Dealing with scaling the company efficiently will be the biggest challenge for this year.

“There has been a lot of Googling and awkward meetings when I was way over my head, but I think that is why I have learnt so much.”

Describe setting up your business, what curve balls and lessons have you encountered?

Getting involved in product development and manufacturing has been a very steep but enjoyable learning curve. The last year has been filled with very ‘high highs’ and crushing lows, but I suppose that is an integral part of a start-up. There has been a lot of Googling and awkward meetings when I was way over my head, but I think that is why I have learnt so much. I believe that it is essential to throw yourself in at the deep end because that way, you have to learn quickly.

If there is one thing I wish I could tell myself this time last year, it would be to ensure you have a plan B and C lined up for when A fails, as plan A will fail more times than you like.

Relying on specific sources of finance was another big mistake I made. Never believe a word until the contracts are signed, and the money is in the bank.

What supports have you received?

To date I have received €15,000 from the New Frontiers Program, €15,000 in feasibility funding from the Cork City Local Enterprise Offices and a €5,000 innovation voucher from Enterprise Ireland.

“Many companies expect to get every ounce of work they can get out of their employees, and it leads to burn out and depression very quickly.”

What do you need now?

I am currently looking to raise €400k. There needs to be a significant marketing budget for Firemole as it is not a product people will be specifically looking for. I also need to build a team. I have a few guys who do some work on the side, and it would be great to get a full-time team in place.

If you were ‘ruler for the day’. What would you do to change Ireland’s business culture?

I think Ireland’s business culture is beginning to change, but there is still a lot that can be done. I hear stories from friends that it is frowned upon to leave their office before 7 pm, even though they are not being paid for it. Many companies expect to get every ounce of work they can get out of their employees, and it leads to burn out and depression very quickly. I think if I were ruler for the day, I would try to shift the working culture for these companies from quantity to quality, as this would lead to a happier workplace.

DOWNLOAD: A brilliant business plan template.

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Five of Ireland’s best yoga centres

Have you ever dreamt of opening a yoga business? Here are the main things to consider and five yoga studios that may inspire you.
Yoga is a spiritual science of self-realisation. It originated in India over five thousand of years ago.
If you are interested in setting up a yoga business, the five yoga centres below are worth checking out for inspiration and ideas.
If you are running a business and are beginning to feel the pressure and burn, it may be a good idea to start practising yoga. Yoga can have a profound effect on the circulation and the functioning of the inner organs, glands and nerves. It will keep your systems healthy, leading to greater energy, better concentration, happiness and the power to drive on in business and succeed.

Oslo Beauty
Run by serial entrepreneur Bob Haugh, (with investors including Irish rugby player Rob Kearney and actress Amy Huberman), Oslo Beauty offers yoga classes in several Dublin locations including Mespil Road and Ranelagh. Like some yoga studios, Oslo Beauty provides a range of services such as Pilates, strength and conditioning programs. There are ’drop in’ prices and annual memberships available.
Yoga Yoga
With six different teachers offering a variety classes, Yoga Yoga is located in two areas of Galway – NRG Fitness in the Clybaun Hotel and Active Fitness Renmore Connaught Hotel – as well as NRG Fitness in Cork.
Himalaya Yoga Valley
Founded by Indian native Lalit Kumar Himalaya, Yoga Valley is based in the heart of Cork city. Lalit has a vast amount of experience in yoga, having practised for over fifteen years in India, Thailand and Ireland. Himalaya Yoga Valley has built up a large following of yoga practitioners and features classes for beginners to training sessions for yoga teachers. The centre also offers laughter yoga.
Conlea Yoga Studio
Located in Blackrock, Co. Dublin

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Google’s ‘Adopt a startup’ opens for applications

Google has opened its Autumn 2017 ‘Adopt a startup’ programme for applications.
What’s in it for startups? They will receive, “hands on mentoring from experienced Google employees over a twelve week period and attend a programme of lectures and workshops at the company’s Dublin HQ, learning strategies to position their company for new growth opportunities,” says Google.
The prizes
At the end of the twelve weeks, participating firms will pitch to a panel of Google executives and industry experts. The winning company will pocket €10,000 of AdWords credit and be eligible for the ‘Google Cloud platform for startups’ programme which comes with $100,000 of Google Cloud credit.
Seven runners-up will also be eligible for the programme, along with $20,000 of Google Cloud credits while one company will also win six months free hot desking in Dogpatch Labs, Dublin.
There are 30 places up for grabs. Startups are asked to get their applications in early, before the closing date of August the 9th, 2017.
What’s Google looking for?
“The types of startups we’re looking for, and the ones who will benefit the most from this programme, are those that are in business for more than one year, currently generating revenue and with a strategy in place for acquiring new customers,” says Paddy Flynn, a director with Google.
Interested startups can apply online here.
Pictured are Paddy Flynn, Google Ireland with Wes Roddy, Collette Doyle, and Luca Boschin, all from LogoGrab, a previous ‘Adopt a startup’ winner.
DOWNLOAD: The ThinkBusiness ‘Business Model Canvas’ – the resource for startups.

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Kinsale Food Tours – an adventure in business

Suzanne Burns’ journey to self-employment and entrepreneurship is an interesting one. From New Zealand to Canada to the Wild Atlantic Way, her adventure is only starting.

When did you start your business, what was your first tour?
I started my coastal guiding business MOPTOG (My Own Private Tour Guide) in April 2016. My first official tour was to Sheep’s Head with a group of seven, hiking around the peninsula on a gorgeous sunny day. We even saw two lizards.
What were the first few tours like, how did you get traction?
The first tours were walking tours around the West Cork region. I used Meetup, Facebook and my network to attract people. I also ran free tours for a few months to generate interest in what I was doing and become a ‘known entity’.
These are real ‘tours of nature’. What can your guests expect?
I started my career as a zoologist and progressed to wildlife guiding over my ten-year stint living in New Zealand. This knowledge has carried through here. I showcase local flora and fauna, archaeology, history and myths and legends. Alongside the walking tours, I link in with whale watching and night kayaking operators.

You say the food tours have taken off. What can guests expect on these?
The Kinsale Food Tours run like a walking meal. We go to four venues for food. The first two stops incorporate lighter fare, followed by a main and sweet stop to round off the tour. As we go from place to place, the group learns about the food culture and fascinating stories and the people in Kinsale. I also do slighter longer tours which involve going to the coast foraging for wild shellfish, seaweed and plants. We go to the coast half way through the tour and have a picnic after foraging if weather permits. We then

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The ISAX Smart Ageing Awards 2017

Has your business designed and developed a product or a service that enhances the lives of people over the age of 50?
The Smart Ageing Awards aim to recognise and celebrate businesses that create products, services or technologies that can enhance the lives of people over 50.
For full details, and to enter, simply visit the ISAX website.
“There are so many business opportunities to target people aged over 50 and many startups in the smart ageing space,” said Bobby Kerr at the launch of the awards. “It is great to see an awards platform designed to reward those in the smart ageing economy and to ensure quality businesses are recognised.”
Rewarding talent
“We are looking forward to seeing entries from a broad range of firms and to showcase the talent in this growing sector,” says Anne Connolly, CEO, ISAX.
Pictured are Bobby Kerr; Anne Connolly, CEO, ISAX; Michael Murphy, founder, ProU; and David Tighe, head of innovation at Bank of Ireland, sponsor of the 2017 ISAX Smart Ageing Innovation Awards 2017.
READ MORE: ProU is the first product of its kind in Britain and Ireland to combine high levels of calcium, protein and vitamin D. It mitigates against the impact of osteoporosis and sarcopenia. Here is the full story.

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Izzy Wheels – Bringing confidence to wheelchair users

The Irish startup became the first Irish company to feature on Instagram’s live news feed. ThinkBusiness spoke with founder Ailbhe Keane about her journey in business.

How did you come up with the name for your business?
I named the brand Izzy Wheels after my inspiration, my little sister Izzy. We chose the tagline ‘If you can’t stand up, stand out.’ We believe our tagline perfectly represents what we do.
What is Izzy Wheel’s biggest achievement to date?
We were approached by INSIDER art a few weeks ago and they made a video about us. The video received two million views in the first 24 hours and 11 million views in one week. As a result, most of our sales are now coming from the USA.
What’s the most important thing you have learnt so far in business?
How to balance your time wisely has been the biggest lesson for me so far. As a founder you are constantly on the go. It’s so important to take a step back from everything and make some time for yourself.
Izzy Wheels was developed out of a college project, how did this help you when you developed the company?
I came up with Izzy Wheels when I was in my final year of visual communications in the National College of Art and Design. I was inspired by a brief which asked you to empower the lives of people living with a long term lifestyle related health condition. Immediately, I thought of my sister Izzy. Izzy was born with spina bifida and is paralysed from her waist down. I had always wanted to create something that allowed my sister to personalise her wheelchair, so that it could reflect her personality.
I spent a full year exploring, brainstorming, prototyping and coming up with different creative solutions to transform my sister’s

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Startups in Ireland continue to grow

Ireland’s startup industry has continually grown each year, and that trend remains the same first the first half of 2017.
Almost 1900 new startups were established every month for the first six months of 2017, indicating a 6% increase on figures for the same period in 2016.
With the exception of June, company startups were up every month compared to 2016 – including by nearly 20% in January, according to the research carried out by business and credit risk analyst Vision-net.ie.
The professional services sector proved to be the most popular sector for company startups, with almost one in five new companies operating in this area.
This was followed by finance, which saw an 18% rise in startups and social and personal services, which was up by 50%. Other sectors that performed well during this period include construction, real estate and agriculture.
Dublin also retained its status are Ireland’s economic hub with almost half of all new startups in this period being established in the capital. Cork, Galway and Limerick also performed well, whereas Cavan was the only county not to record a single startup in the first half of 2017.
Commenting on the findings, Vision-net.ie managing director, Christine Cullen, said: “It is very encouraging to see continued growth in company startups over a sustained six-month period and, importantly, in a diverse number of industries including finance and construction. This indicates that Ireland’s economic growth is continuing at a steady pace.”
“We cannot discount the effects of Brexit. Many Irish industries rely heavily, often exclusively, on the UK for trade. As British businesses and consumers feel the pinch of higher living costs and a weaker sterling, many Irish businesses will find their revenue streams disrupted, whether they are food and drink exporters in Dublin or hoteliers in Kerry. If this continues, the consequences for our economy will be

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Competitor analysis template

This ThinkBusiness.ie Competitor Analysis Template gives you the opportunity to conduct a detailed analysis of your business competitors.
All instructions in brackets and italics – [like this] – are intended to assist you in completing the plan. To help you complete your template, you should refer to the accompanying ThinkBusiness.ie Marketing Plan Guide for additional information.

The main objectives of a competitor analysis are to understand who your competitors are, what strategies they are using and have planned, how competitors might react to your company’s actions, and how to influence competitor behavior to your advantage.

Every business faces some sort of competition. The key is to understand the strengths and weaknesses of your competition, as it is critical to making sure your business survives and grows. Analysing potential competition is also vital because when new businesses enter the marketplace, it leaves existing small businesses at risk.

Using your analysis, learn from your competitor’s strengths and try adopting them to your own strategy, while also taking advantage of their weaknesses.

This template comprises of two main sections:

Competitor profile: This is a detailed overview of who your competitor is, taking into account areas of interest such as:

Summary profile, which includes their social media channels used, the location of the business, the company background, the number of employees, market share, customers and financial information
Pricing, including refund policy, discounts, terms and conditions, and distribution, if relevant
What marketing and communications strategies they use, including key messages, tagline and advertising
What their strengths and weaknesses are

Competitor analysis: This gives you the opportunity to compare your business with that of your competitor in terms of critical success factors (CSFs). You can identify CSFs for the market in which you operate, and then compare your business with that of your competitor in terms of these CSFs, using a scoring system.

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