Kilkenny's Cookie Co-Op wins suite of supports and €1,000 Google ad funding

Kilkenny business the Cookie Co-op is one of the ten businesses that secured a unique prize as part of the You’re The Business campaign launched last year by Google, Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices.

 ‘You’re the Business’ is a programme that aims to accelerate Irish SME growth through digitalisation. The Cookie Co-op is a family business founded by Brian Walsh based in Kilkenny City. It began trading in July 2020 at the local Farmers’ Market in Kilkenny and went on to develop a wholesale supply business for local cafés, as well as introducing a nationwide next-day delivery service via its website. 

The Cookie Co-op will receive a customised suite of digital supports from Google, expert sector and industry-specific mentoring across a range of technical areas that will help the ten SMEs to further develop their business. The selected businesses will also receive a €1,000 Google ads package each.

Speaking at the announcement, Brian Walsh, owner, The Cookie Co-op said:  “We had just launched our website offering next day delivery when I decided to participate in the You’re The Business initiative. It sounded like the perfect opportunity to get guidance and support around how best to promote our business online. It is invaluable for us to have the opportunity to have such a wonderful level of support from a company like Google. As a small business, we take on many roles on a daily basis. It will be helpful to gain clarity on suitable approaches for our specific business, allowing us to play to our strengths in the areas of creativity and strategy implementation.”

Research conducted by Google, developed in partnership with Amárach for the launch of You’re The Business last year found that almost half of SMEs believe they could more than double their turnover (40%) and profitability (45%) with an investment in digital skills. But, the research also showed that more than one in every ten SMEs based in Ireland (11%) are not yet using digital technology in their business - almost half (45%) of SMEs do not have their own website.

Alice Mansergh, Director for Small Business at Google, said: “Ireland is home to more than 250,000 small businesses, providing employment and services right across the country. Small businesses, like The Cookie Co-op, are at the heart of towns and communities across Ireland. With over 90% of Irish consumers now active online, businesses of all shapes and sizes stand to gain by ensuring they have their 'online shop window' - their website, their online profile - working well. At Google, we've been proud to partner with Enterprise Ireland and Local Enterprise Offices to bring help and support nationwide through 'You're The Business'. The program offers free trainings for all available on the You're The Business website. We had a tough time picking 10 lucky winners to receive an even more customised prize package, such was the high standard of entries. My huge congratulations to The Cookie Co-op: we're excited to support Brian’s business vision and next chapter of growth online.”

Richard Murphy, Enterprise Ireland said: The You’re the Business initiative has been a significant boost to SMEs across the country.  To be able to open up Google’s expertise in digital and online promotion to all businesses is a huge step forward in helping these companies to maximise their online presence.  Both Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices have been working closely with clients supporting their journey’s to get online and grow online and this will only help those companies further.  To the winners we wish continued success and we look forward to supporting them as they grow both here in Ireland and hopefully internationally in the years to come.”

Padraic McElwee, Local Enterprise Offices said: “The impact of digital for small businesses has never been so keenly felt than over the recent years.  Many companies have had to become more agile, more digitally adept to survive and thrive.  Having helped thousands to get online with our Trading Online Vouchers during the pandemic, this was an opportune time to help these businesses upskill utilising the expertise of Google alongside our partners Enterprise Ireland.  The response to the You’re The Business campaign has been phenomenal up and down the country and to be able to open up these online resources to our clients has had a huge impact this year and will do in years to come.  I want to congratulate all the winners and no doubt they will go from strength to strength on the back of this partnership.”

Launched last year, You’re the Business - a partnership between Google, Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices - focuses on supporting Irish SMEs to upskill digitally and enhance their online capabilities. It continues to provide Irish SMEs with access to a series of live and on-demand training sessions, geared towards supporting companies at all stages of their digitalisation journey, including those at early stages right through to those more digitally-sophisticated businesses. The training consists of three modules that will help businesses understand how they can use digital to get online, grow online and expand internationally.

For further information on the winners and the You’re The Business initiative, please visit: g.co/yourethebusiness