“Making it Happen” Local Enterprise Week 2020 is Launched

This year LEW Fingal features a host of events and activities that are aimed at stimulating business activity locally, in conjunction with various key business support organisations and state agencies, including Enterprise Ireland, Plato Dublin, Chambers of Commerce, Enterprise Centres, Empower, IBM Ireland and PayPal Ireland among others. During Enterprise Week last year, LEO Fingal welcomed more than 1,500 business owner/managers to the various business events in Fingal.

At the launch, which took place in the Atrium of County Hall, Swords, Mayor of Fingal Cllr. Eoghan O’Brien highlighted the necessity for all small enterprises to use the opportunity as a platform for accelerating business growth: “Through our Local Enterprise Office, Fingal County Council is providing vital services and assistance to our local businesses, ensuring that they are availing of the array of state supports on offer. We want to ensure that our SMEs are well equipped to identify and take advantage of programmes and supports available to them through the LEO and other state bodies”.

Speaking at the launch of LEW Fingal 2020, AnnMarie Farrelly, Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, said: “In Fingal, we strive to create a dynamic environment conducive to business growth and local job creation. Local Enterprise Week is an excellent opportunity to network, keep up with developments and find the right supports for your business. I am particularly pleased to see so many of our state agencies and business organisations supporting Local Enterprise Week this year”.

Oisin Geoghegan, Chair of the LEO Network and Head of Enterprise in Fingal said: “We have a great selection of opportunities for anyone involved in an existing business or a start-up. The events are occurring in various locations throughout Fingal. As with previous years, most of these events will be fully booked out in advance, so we are encouraging anyone interested in participating to book a place as quickly as possible to avoid disappointment”.

The week kicks off on a high on Monday morning 2nd March with an intensive half-day Business Start-up Bootcamp in Newbridge House in Donabate, aimed at helping those with an idea for a new business, or anyone who has recently set up. The afternoon continues apace with a dedicated Leadership Skills workshop at the Marine Hotel in Sutton and a Digital Masterclass at the PayPal HQ in Ballycoolin.

On day 2, Tuesday 3rd March, local businesses will join Fingal Dublin Chamber for a networking breakfast focusing on several successful entrepreneurs, called “Behind the Business” in Malahide. At lunchtime, Plato Dublin will be running a seminar helping businesses to prepare for growth at the IBM Campus in Damastown. And in the evening “Empower Fingal” will host an Ethnic Enterprise Expo, aimed at encouraging ethnic minorities to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams in Fingal.

Wednesday 6th March will see three events taking place, with the LINC in Blanchardstown running a seminar in the morning for start-ups seeking to raise finance. Meanwhile, in the Crowne Plaza in Blanchardstown, Enterprise Ireland will host an informative event explaining how companies can benefit from accessing innovation grants to fund their continued growth. There will also be a full-day Brexit workshop happening at the BEaT Centre in Balbriggan for businesses who export to the UK.

On Thursday morning, Balbriggan Chamber will host a business networking seminar focusing on Productivity and Competitiveness, while simultaneously LEO Fingal is running a morning workshop on financial skills for SMEs. The Fingal Enterprise Awards ceremony will take place on Thursday evening in County Hall Swords, where the best of Fingal entrepreneurship will be celebrated and will battle it out for the coveted 2020 winner of the “Fingal Enterprise Award”, with a top prize of €5,000, one small business will be chosen to fly the flag for Fingal to compete at the National Enterprise Awards in May.

Local Enterprise Week finishes up on Friday the 6th with two dynamic events. In the morning a Trading Online Voucher (TOV) seminar, at the Riasc Centre in Swords, will offer small businesses the opportunity to develop their website or digital marketing strategy by availing of a grant of up to €2,500. Then at lunchtime the Fingal Enterprising Women Network, run by LEO Fingal, will celebrate International Women’s Day with a special business networking lunch at the Clayton Hotel Dublin Airport, featuring acclaimed chef and food entrepreneur Catherine Fulvio.

Several events are completely free of charge while some have a nominal booking fee of just €10. As with last year, many of the events are expected to book up quickly so early booking is strongly advised.

You can find out more about Local Enterprise Week in Fingal at www.localenterprise.ie/fingal