Given the levels of failure, it is a wonder why most people start their own businesses at all. But every year, thousands of new companies are formed, all aiming to be successful. Still, starting a business can be a daunting prospect, so it pays to know where to go to get the best head start.

For example, County Enterprise Boards, which were established in 1993, are an excellent means for smaller companies to get that bit of funding (and training and mentoring support) that they need to get up and running.

Applications are processed on a case by case basis, with the overall rule that the company cannot employ more than 10 people, and is involved in a business that fits the remit of the boards (there are 35 across Ireland).

For larger companies, Enterprise Ireland exists to give a hand in terms of finance and other business supports.

But while state support agencies can offer with supports such as seed money and capital and employment grants, there will usually be the necessity to go to a financial institution for some working capital, and recent studies have shown that AIB is the number one bank for business start-ups (indeed, four out of 10 people polled said that they viewed AIB as the bank for new business).

"There was a common perception about 10 years ago that banks in general were reluctant to get involved with start-up companies, " said Adrian Moynihan, of the business strategy sector in AIB. "But it is all different now, because (helped by the overall business environment) people are more confident in the potential of business in general. So, these days, we would be very open to business and start-ups."

In fact, in order to make life easier for people who may be taking their first tentative steps into the murky world of business, AIB has produced a comprehensive booklet called "The Practical Guide to Starting Your Own Business", which is distributed through its branches and on its website (www. aib. ie). This takes people through the process, from concept to staring up, and contains advice on such elements as financial matters and putting together a business plan (it even includes a business plan template).

It has also collaborated with the Chambers of Commerce of Ireland to produce a booklet entitled "Funding Your Business", which is available through the Chambers throughout the country.

"We see new business as a key growth area of our economy, with an estimated 15,000 start-ups opening each year, " said Moynihan.

"So matter how large or small you plan your business to be, I would advise people to make an appointment with one of our 1,400 relationship managers who can be found throughout our branches."

However much funding people secure, it is important for new business to have the right space to work in.

The National Development Plan (NDP) 2000-2006 committed to spend 2.48 billion for research, technological development and innovation as part of its policy to ensure that Ireland will be one of the foremost knowledgebased economies with world.

As part of this, the new Innovation in Business Centres (IiBC) at GMIT Castlebar and Galway have been built to stimulate high-tech innovation in various sectors such as ICT, Chemical & Pharmaceutical, Medical Devices, Biotechnology, Aquaculture & Marine Sciences, Environmental Technology, and Manufacturing.

The centre at GMIT Castlebar has 9 units and Galway has 19 units, but IiBC is not just about providing physical space at subsidised rates - it is also concerned with the 'value added' that such a premises can provide through a range of business support services. These services can enhance survival rates and success of the business and increase entrepreneurial activity in the region.

Of course, property comes in many guises, and an often overlooked area of business, especially for start-ups, is intellectual property (IP).

Developing, acquiring and managing protectable business ideas and processes can generate enormous competitive superiority, and a company's IP portfolio may include any of several types of intellectual property such as patents, trade marks, designs and copyright.

"At the start up stage of any small business, it is essential that intellectual property is on the agenda and that it is considered carefully with a patent or trade mark attorney, " said Philip Coyle, a European Patent Attorney and a Partner with FR Kelly & Co in Dublin.

The best way to protect a trade mark is to register it with the appropriate authority, usually as an Irish national trade mark registration or a Community trade mark registration, which covers all of the EU member states.

Of course, if people want to start their own business with a recognisable trademark, they can choose the option of franchising, which allows businesspeople to take advantage of usually a tried and trusted name. And any extra costs that come with taking on a franchise can be mentally offset by the added security that trading under a well-known banner brings.