SOME GOOD news yesterday from Dublin-based animation group Jam Media, which has announced 22 new high-value jobs.

Most of the positions are being created around a new series of Tilly Friends, which is being aired on the BBC. Six software positions have also been created.

Minister for Arts Jimmy Deenihan was on hand to do the honours with Jam founder John Rice (right), who predicted that his team would increase to 46 people by October. “This means the company will be producing three series a year, along with five new projects in the development process.”

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FOURTEEN COMPANIES based around the western seaboard will find out on Monday if they have secured seed funding of up to €50,000 from a business award scheme run by the Limerick Institute of Technology.

In total, €100,000 is on offer, with half the bounty going to the winner. The AIB Seed Capital Fund, which is co managed by Enterprise Equity Venture Capital, is a major sponsor of the awards.

Given the harsh economic climate for start-ups, the funds should provide a significant leg-up for the winner.