Global boost for web hosting firm in Carrick

Carrickfergus company BigWetFish Hosting is celebrating after being chosen as the regional winner of an innovative export initiative.
By The Newsroom
Published 14th Jun 2014, 16:36 BST
Congratulating Stephen Kinkaid from BigWetFish on being named the regional winner of the Grow Global Export Programme are (L-R) Gail Kelly, Carrickfergus Borough Council; Moira Loughran, Invest NI and Barbara Orr, Full Circle Management Solutions. Stephen wins up to £5,000 to spend on export activities (photo: Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye). INCT 24-706-CON.Congratulating Stephen Kinkaid from BigWetFish on being named the regional winner of the Grow Global Export Programme are (L-R) Gail Kelly, Carrickfergus Borough Council; Moira Loughran, Invest NI and Barbara Orr, Full Circle Management Solutions. Stephen wins up to £5,000 to spend on export activities (photo: Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye). INCT 24-706-CON.
Congratulating Stephen Kinkaid from BigWetFish on being named the regional winner of the Grow Global Export Programme are (L-R) Gail Kelly, Carrickfergus Borough Council; Moira Loughran, Invest NI and Barbara Orr, Full Circle Management Solutions. Stephen wins up to £5,000 to spend on export activities (photo: Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye). INCT 24-706-CON.

The Grow Global Programme involved 30 local companies from Ballymena, Carrickfergus and Larne pitching their export plans in a Dragons’ Den scenario.

It is part financed by Invest Northern Ireland and European Regional Development Fund under the Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland.

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Businesses in each region were competing to win £5,000 to help them achieve their export plans.

The Grow Global Programme was offered free to companies by the North East Economic Development Forum.

Stephen Kinkaid from BigWetFish Hosting, which specialises in delivering fully managed web hosting solutions commented: “We were delighted to be named the regional winners of the Grow Global Programme. It’s an exciting time for us as we expand our markets and focus our sales on the Republic of Ireland, GB and beyond.

“We now have thousands of clients across 50 countries. Since starting the Grow Global programme we have already increased our employees from three to five which is testament to the programme’s effectiveness.”

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Gail Kelly, from Carrickfergus Borough Council, added: “BigWetFish Hosting are following in the footsteps of many of our most successful companies who have identified opportunities in markets beyond Northern Ireland. I wish them every success as they embark on this stage of their exporting journey.”

All firms were mentored and prepared for the Dragons’ Den event by Full Circle Management Solutions.

Barbara Orr, from Full Circle, said: “We’ll continue to work with each of the regional winners as they prepare to visit their chosen market as well as running three additional export skills development workshops for all participating companies.”

Related topics:CarrickfergusBallymenaLarneNorthern Ireland