As the impact of the COVID–19 outbreak intensified, businesses across Dublin found ways to diversify to survive the crisis and retain their staff. The virus is hit our economy hard, and created a situation that was well beyond the experience of most business owners. However, in difficult times, many businesses have managed, with the support of their Local Enterprise Office, to adapt and shift to new products and services quickly.

UNIFORMAL

Uniformal, an established uniform and corporate wear provider based in South Dublin, have been supplying Irish businesses with bespoke and premium ready-to-wear uniform solutions and workwear for over 30 years. Like many businesses when the COVID–19 outbreak unfolded, Uniformal experienced a sharp decrease in demand, with many of their regular hospitality and corporate clients closing their doors.

However, recognising the demand for protective clothing for healthcare workers, Uniformal swiftly decided to diversify their product offering to start producing antibacterial reusable face masks, and much needed Personal Protection Equipment (PPE). The face masks, manufactured in Ireland are anti-microbial finish and are effective for up to 50 wash cycles. The company has already successfully received many orders for its diversified product range.
www.uniformal.ie

KIANDA TECHNOLOGIES

Tech entrepreneurs Derya Sousa, from Turkey, and her husband Osvaldo Sousa, from Portugal, moved to Ireland and established their business, Kianda in 2017, which is based in Fingal. The company has developed a platform that enables companies to turn paperwork into digital apps. As a response to the crisis, Kianda believes their platform and technology will help businesses adapt to working remotely using their entirely paperless, cloud-based platform.

The digitisation of business processes is vital in enabling useful long term remote working. In a non-digitised workplace, an approval process requires printing, signing and carrying papers from one desk to another. With Kianda, these processes can easily be turned into digital processes – making it possible to access from anywhere, allowing companies to continue to work remotely and successfully into the future.
www.kianda.com

RYPT

RYPT is an innovative software platform that connects fitness coaches to their clients via a smartphone app. Cormac O’Beirne started the company after he identified a commercial opportunity to digitise existing paper-based coaching processes, while playing rugby in the All-Ireland League.

RYPT simplifies the creation and delivery of workout programs so that coaches can provide a more personalised service to a higher number of clients. It improves the support coaches can offer their clients and takes the pain out of data collection so they can monitor progress, and optimise performance.

O’Beirne spoke to us about the impact of COVID–19 on his business:

“Our customers and potential customers have been hugely impacted. Gyms have been forced to close, and coaches have been forced to adapt to working with their clients and athletes remotely, so we have made changes in how we offer our product to support our customers who are trying to adapt to a new way of working.”

Since the outbreak, RYPT has seen an increase in demand for its services from all over the world. The company has already taken on customers from the UK, Spain, Sweden, and Turkey. It has also received a lot of interest from high-performance sports teams here in Ireland, who currently are unable to train in a team environment.
www.rypt.app

Local Enterprise Offices (LEO)

The LEO network is the first stop for anyone seeking information and support for starting a business in Dublin. There are four dedicated LEO teams, one based in each of the region’s four local authority areas: Dublin City, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, South Dublin & Fingal.

LEO provides easy access to quality supports including training, networking events and mentoring. Eligible start-ups can apply for co-funding for feasibility research, salaries and other costs, as well as help in accessing other sources of finance, including Microfinance Ireland.