BASSE Northeast Programme Summary

Business Advantage for Sustainability, Scaling and Exports
Delivered by The Mill Enterprise Hub

The Business Advantage for Sustainability, Scaling and Expansion (BASSE) programme is a tailored initiative designed to address capability gaps in sustainability, scaling, and export readiness, empowering regional SMEs to become more resilient, competitive, and internationally focused.

Developed and delivered by The Mill Enterprise Hub, the BASSE Northeast programme supports ambitious SMEs in Louth, Meath, Cavan, and Monaghan, helping them build long-term value and strategic capability.

BASSE acts as a facilitator for growth—guiding companies through a structured journey of discovery, strategic planning, execution, and accountability. It combines expert mentoring, peer learning, and hands-on implementation support tailored to the specific needs of each participant.

The programme is funded under Stream 3 of the Smart Regions Enterprise Innovation Scheme, and is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the Southern, Eastern and Midland Regional Programme 2021–2027 and the Northern and Western Regional Programme 2021–2027.

Programme Structure

The BASSE Northeast programme is built around three high-impact pillars, reinforced by focused enterprise capability workshops and embedded mentoring:
🔹 1. Sustainability Pillar
Enables businesses to integrate sustainability into their core operations. Supports include environmental assessments, climate readiness diagnostics, and guidance on accessing green finance, in alignment with national and EU policy.

🔹 2. Scaling Pillar
Equips companies with the tools, frameworks, and expert advice to support sustainable growth. This includes strategic planning, leadership development, systems optimisation, and digital transformation.

🔹 3. Expansion Pillar
Focused on market expansion and long-term growth, this pillar delivers:
• 1:1 mentoring with sector-specific experts
• Access to peer-to-peer mastermind groups through our delivery partner Power of Seven
• Strategic support for export readiness, global market exploration, and access to international trade networks
BASSE also delivers a suite of enterprise capability workshops designed to support companies with long-term planning, access to finance, business continuity, investment readiness, and leadership development.

How We Support Your Business

At The Mill, our role is to act as a facilitator of growth for your business. The BASSE Northeast Programme is not a one-size-fits-all initiative — it’s a curated journey designed to meet companies where they are and help them reach where they want to be. Whether your business is preparing to scale operations, future-proof through sustainability, or break into new international markets, we are here to equip you with the right mix of support, mentorship, and momentum.

Through BASSE, participating companies will receive:

• Bespoke Mentoring Support: Each company is matched with experienced mentors relevant to their industry or challenge. Our mentor panel brings deep expertise across business strategy, leadership, finance, sustainability, and international expansion. These mentors will help you build a robust plan and act as sounding boards throughout the programme lifecycle.
• Bi-Annual On-Site Visits: Our programme team will conduct twice-yearly company visits, offering hands-on strategic guidance, accountability checkpoints, and fresh insights. These sessions ensure alignment between your business goals and the programme’s impact metrics.
• Capability-Building Workshops: You’ll access a curated mix of strategic workshops — from growth planning and business model innovation to preparing for investment, sustainability readiness, and talent planning. Financial capability workshops will address critical topics to help you grow, scale, and secure your business future.
• Peer-to-Peer Learning: You’ll be part of a focused, ambitious peer group who share experiences, open doors, and challenge each other to think bigger. This element leverages the proven Power of Seven framework for trust-based CEO-level dialogue and decision-making.
• Tailored Signposting and Advisory: Our team will connect you to funding supports (e.g. EI, LEO, InterTradeIreland), research partnerships, digital transformation providers, and additional resources based on your business priorities.
• Growth Accountability: We’re ambitious for your growth. Our structured approach is designed to help participating companies double their turnover within three years. The programme is best suited for businesses with a growth mindset and the drive to take strategic action toward scale and international success.

Who Should Apply

BASSE is designed for established SMEs with strong growth ambition. Ideal participants:
• Are based in the North-East region: Louth, Meath, Cavan, and Monaghan
• Revenue generating with turnover preferably in excess of €1M per annum
• Have a growth mindset and are open to challenge, change, and accountability
• Are willing to engage in peer learning and structured mentoring
• Want to double their turnover over a 3-year horizon
• Are exploring sustainability initiatives, internationalisation as an option, and/or leadership development
• Business leaders who can commit to the Programmes 9 days per year core components over the 3 years of the Programmes duration

Programme Benefits for Participating Companies

• Over €26,000 worth of expert-led support annually
• 1:1 mentoring and strategic planning guidance
• Group workshops and peer cohort learning
• On-site support visits twice per year to ensure real-world impact
• Sustainability and export diagnostics
• Access to funding roadmaps and investment readiness preparation

Programme Cost and De Minimis Funding

The full commercial value of the BASSE Northeast programme is €26,000 per company per annum.
Under the Smart Regions scheme:
• 80% (€20,800) is funded via De Minimis aid
• 20% (€5,200) is covered by the participating SME
Each participating company will receive a formal De Minimis Aid Declaration and support in meeting compliance requirements. The programme guarantees that 100% of the funding value is passed on to beneficiaries through discounted service access.

Register Your Interest

If your company is ready to grow, scale, and lead in sustainability and international markets, we invite you to register your interest in BASSE Northeast.
👉 Complete your Expression of Interest (EOI) here:
https://forms.office.com/e/gYgYCFRX63
Spaces are limited, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.