Small businesses across the country are gearing up to take advantage of Local Enterprise Week 2025 as the full schedule of events has been announced. The initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices will see over 320 events take place across the country from the 3rd to 7th March and they are open to everyone at any stage of business.
The events, which will take place in every local authority area, will cover all aspects of business from getting started and accessing funding to exporting and sustainability.
The week gives budding entrepreneurs who may have business idea or those who have been in business a while, the opportunity to improve their business and find out what supports are available to them. Some of the events include a Pitch Battle for funding, networking with cocktails, a Pier-to-Pier networking walk and a host of AI events to benefit businesses.
John Magee, Chair of the Local Enterprise Offices, said; ““Local Enterprise Week is a fantastic week for anyone with a business or maybe thinking of starting a business in the future. It gives them the chance to build their network, find out about what supports are available to them and most of all learn from the expertise that will be on show across the country. Whether they want to cut costs, create a more sustainable business or understand trends and how AI can positively impact their business then there is something for everyone.”
“So whether for those who have been every year and those who have never been, if you are interested in business at any level then this is for them. A full week of learning, expertise and a chance to understand the significant level of support on offer.”
Carol Gibbons, Head of Entrepreneurship, Regions and Local Enterprise, Enterprise Ireland, said; “Enterprise Ireland is delighted to support and be involved in Local Enterprise Week. Working closely with the Local Enterprise Offices, this week is a chance for small businesses to focus on key areas, the areas where they can make a real difference for their future ambitions. This may be in relation to digitalization or becoming more sustainable, or those who have ambition to grow internationally and begin to find new markets.
If you are a business who wants to grow, internationalise or innovate, then there is something for you at Local Enterprise Week and we would encourage every small business out there to see what is happening in their area this year and take that next step.”
Shane Tiernan, Chair of the County and City Management Association (CCMA) Economic Development Committee, said: “Successful small and medium-sized businesses provide the foundation for thriving local economies. Supporting such enterprises to reach their potential is a key priority for the local government sector. One of the ways we do this is through the Local Enterprise Office (LEO).
“There is a LEO in each of the 31 local authority areas, offering established and budding businesspeople a range of business experience, skills, and services. More than 7,000 new jobs were created by LEO-supported businesses in 2024 - I encourage anyone interested in starting or growing a small business to check out what’s on offer at Local Enterprise Week.”
The Local Enterprise Offices located in the local authorities and funded through Enterprise Ireland support thousands of small Irish businesses and entrepreneurs nationwide. Since their establishment in 2014 they have been for the first stop shop for entrepreneurs and small businesses and providing a range of supports including financial, mentoring, training and sector specific expertise to help guide businesses at any stage of their development.
They also run key initiatives to foster entrepreneurship across the country including Local Enterprise Week, National Women’s Enterprise Day, the Student Enterprise Programme and the National Enterprise Awards. The Local Enterprise Offices are also running a campaign encouraging small businesses to save time money and energy by availing of their competitiveness and productivity supports including Green, Lean and Digital for Business. www.AllInADaysWork.ie For more information on the Local Enterprise Offices go to www.LocalEnterprise.ie
Details for all the events taking place across the country during Local Enterprise Week, from March 3rd to 7th, are available at www.LocalEnterprise.ie/Week
