Local Enterprise Week 2023

Local Enterprise Week returns this week, running from March 6th – 10th, and will feature over 300 events taking place nationwide for small businesses and budding entrepreneurs. Over the past 9 years the nationwide initiative, supported by Enterprise Ireland and local authorities, allows attendees the opportunity to sample hundreds of events that will help them start or grow their own business.

This year’s Local Enterprise Week is supporting key Local Enterprise Office themes of innovation and competitiveness, development, digitisation and sustainability. The weeks events are open to all, giving you the opportunity to access expert advice on key areas of business from financial skills, raising funds, future-proofing, exporting and boosting your business online.

Each day of Local Enterprise Week will also feature a five part series dubbed the National Spotlight, focusing on Exporting with Enterprise Ireland, Digital Skills with Google, Sustainability and Cost Saving with top consultants and how to innovate within your business.

Several influential names are set to provide insight, including broadcaster Richard Curran, Fashion Editor, Deirdre McQuillan, former Irish international footballer Packie Bonner, broadcaster and entrepreneur Sonya Lennon, sports journalist Brent Pope and former Kilkenny manager Brian Cody who will focus on building and sustaining a winning team.

In 2022,  over 11,000 businesses availed of Local Enterprise Office mentoring support,  while over 42,000 received LEO training and capacity development supports. Last year, over 4,000 enrolled in the Start Your Own Business programme, over 370 in the Lean for Micro programme, and over 400 in the Green for Micro programme.

Deirdre O’Neill, Senior Regional Development Executive with Enterprise Ireland, said; “Enterprise Ireland is delighted to support and be involved in Local Enterprise Week. Working closely with the Local Enterprise Offices across the year, 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.”

Details for all the events taking place across the country during Local Enterprise Week are available here.