Fears of a slowdown in new sponsorship partners were further pushed back yesterday when the Irish Greyhound Board unveiled a brand new sponsor for its world leading Irish Greyhound Derby at Shelbourne Park.
UK-based independent finance company Enterprise Target Solutions (ETS) is to support the event with an investment of €750,000 over the next three years.
The deal is an increase on that with Ladbrokes which it replaces and confirms the race, to be run over the summer as being the richest event in the sport to be run this year in the northern hemisphere.
ETS is using the sponsorship to raise awareness of its coming to the Irish market in June offering targeted financial solutions to Irish small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The independent funding partner will specifically look to build relationships with innovation, renewable energy and export-led SMEs across Ireland helping them realise their full potential.
“Our mission is to provide small and medium-sized Irish businesses with a flexible and forward-thinking finance alternative to funding enterprises based on mutual profit principles,” said ETS Chief Executive Russell Warner at the launch of the sponsorship in Shelbourne Park.
“Predicting the winner of a race is never easy, but when working with the best of breed the chances of success are higher. ETS understands the unique nature of the Irish Greyhound Derby and our sponsorship model provides immediate awareness of our own unique approach to business success.”
“Since the financial crisis, traditional lenders such as banks have tightened their lending criteria, stifling growth and development within the small business community. ETS will offer flexible funding and equity solutions to businesses in addition to extensive network relations in Ireland, the UK and across the Eurozone to boost their potential for growth and sales.”
“By sponsoring the Irish Greyhound Derby, ETS aims to connect with the Irish business community whilst simultaneously showing its commitment to a long-term partnership with the IGB.”
The deal was originally sparked by a relationship within the sport that led to contact being established last autumn and a deal being secured just before Christmas. The announcement was held back until closer to the launch of the company in Ireland.
It shows the power of sport to foster connections that might not otherwise be obvious, and that moving beyond the traditional roster of sporting partners can yield a rich benefit for both sides.
“Our ability to attract a UK sponsor from the financial sector shows that our product is recognised internationally,” said irish Greyhound Board CEO Adrian Neilan.
“Our racing brand is a world leader and this gives our industry the excellent profile it deserves. We have worked hard to secure a high calibre sponsor worthy of our world class Derby, only the sixth in its 55 year history, and we’ve now succeeded in restoring this famous event into the richest race in the Northern Hemisphere.”
Last year’s Irish Greyhound Derby saw huge increases in attendance and Tote turnover on grand final night, up 33% and 18% on the previous year respectively. The IGB expects further increases this year for the competition which gets underway in early August and runs through to September 14th.
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