Investment & Fund Management
which provided a loan guaranteed by the European Investment
Full Credential Description
Get West, an outdoor activities and team-building business in Ireland, faced significant challenges due to its seasonal nature, primarily focusing on kayaking and water sports during the summer months. The founder, Paul Austin, recognized the need to diversify and secure year-round operations to sustain and grow the business. To address this, he expanded the offerings by acquiring part of another company that specialized in land-based activities such as wall-climbing, hoverball archery, and cycling. This strategic move allowed Get West to provide a broader range of services, including team-building and corporate sessions, alongside family entertainment.
To finance this expansion, Paul sought assistance from Microfinance Ireland, which provided a loan guaranteed by the European Investment Fund (EIF) through the EUs Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI) programme. This financial support was crucial in transforming his initial summer project into a fully operational business. As a result of this expansion, Paul was able to hire four full-time employees and approximately ten part-time staff, significantly increasing the workforce and enhancing the company's capacity to compete in the market. The diversification of activities not only mitigated the seasonal downturn but also positioned Get West as a more robust player in the outdoor entertainment sector.