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Local Enterprise Office

The Local Enterprise Offices are your local first-stop shop for seeking information and support on starting or growing a business in Ireland. Whether you are a new entrepreneur or an existing small business owner, we provide advice, information, and support to help you succeed.

Who we are?

The Local Enterprise Office provides advice, information, and support to you in starting up or growing your business. With 31 dedicated teams across the Local Authority network in Ireland, Local Enterprise Offices offer you a wide range of experience, skills, and services. 


Who we service?

We serve: 

  • New entrepreneurs
  • Existing small business owners 
  • Micro and small businesses 
  • Businesses with export potential

What we do?

The Local Enterprise Office provides comprehensive support to local businesses. 

  • Drive the development of local enterprise
  • Support business startups
  • Promote a ‘can-do’ business culture
  • Increase job potential of businesses
  • Foster innovation and export potential
  • Proactively respond to client needs

At a glance

Focus
  • Business support 
  • Job creation 
  • Innovation
Sectors
  • All sectors
Network
  • Across Ireland 
  • 39 Offices Worldwide
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18 supports based on your selections

PUT DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY TO WORK FOR YOUR BUSINESS

Digital for Business

Digital for Business helps small businesses understand how technology can improve the way they work. You’ll get support from a digital consultant who will review your current systems, identify opportunities for improvement and recommend solutions that fit your business needs. 

The review can help you to make better use of technology, improve efficiency and prepare your business for the future. 

Talk to us if you are: 

  • A small to medium-sized business 

  • Employing up to 50 people 

  • Operating as a commercial business with up-to-date financial statements 

  • Trading for at least six months 

 

Here are all the terms and conditions. 

Digital & AI

Make your small business more efficient with Lean principles

Lean for Business

When we talk about “lean” in business we are talking about companies that can make more value for customers while using fewer resources. It’s a smart strategy used to cut out waste, save money and speed up work.  

We’ll help you apply those principles to your own business. 

Talk to us if you are: 

  • A small to medium-sized business 

  • Employing up to 50 people 

  • Have been operating for at least six months  

  • Generate revenues of at least €30k  

Here are all the terms and conditions. 

Operations & Productivity

DEVELOP YOUR COMPANY’S TALENT POOL AND BRING NEW SKILLS TO YOUR BUSINESS

GradStart

GradStart supports businesses like yours to recruit graduate talent and accelerate growth. 

The programme provides financial support for you to hire a graduate for a two-year placement, giving your business access to new skills, fresh ideas and additional expertise. 

It's a practical way to strengthen your team while giving valuable workplace experience to graduates. 

Talk to us if you are: 

  • A client of Enterprise Ireland, your Local Enterprise Office or Údarás na Gaeltachta 

  • Already employing at least five full-time staff 

  • Eager to bring graduate talent into your business 

Here are all the terms and conditions. 

Talent & Hiring

YOUR SUSTAINABILITY JOURNEY STARTS HERE

Green For Business

Green for Business helps small businesses take their first steps towards becoming more sustainable. It gives you practical advice on how to improve efficiency, reduce waste and identify ways to lower your operating costs. 

A green consultant will review your business, suggest improvements and help you create an action plan that works for you. 

Talk to us if you are: 

  • A small to medium-sized business 

  • Employing up to 50 people 

  • In business for at least six months 

  • Generating revenues of at least €30,000 

  • Eager to make your business more sustainable  

Here are all the terms and conditions.

Sustainability & Energy

GET READY TO TAKE AN ONLINE LEAP

Grow Digital Voucher

The Grow Digital Voucher can help your businesses use digital tools and technology to work smarter, reach more customers and stay competitive. 

Whether you want to improve how you manage your business, sell online or introduce new software, this support can help you take the next step in your digital journey. 

You may be eligible if: 

  • Established and trading for at least 6 months, registered, and operate within the area of the Local Enterprise Office

Grants

Digital & AI

Get funding to start your business

Priming Grant

Starting a business comes with lots of costs, most of which you’ll have to pay in advance, long before you start earning anything. A Priming Grant helps reduce some of those costs so you can focus on building and growing your business. 

The funding can help you invest in the equipment, services and marketing you need to get your business off to a strong start. 

Talk to us if you are: 

  • Starting a new business and need financial support 

  • Employing up to ten people 

  • Trading from 0 to no more than 18 months 

Here are all the terms and conditions. 

Grants

EXPLORE NEW EXPORT MARKETS WITH CONFIDENCE

Market Explorer Grant

The Market Explorer Grant helps small businesses explore opportunities in new international markets. Whether you're taking your first steps into exporting or looking to expand into a new country, the grant can help cover some of the costs of researching and developing your export plans. 

It's designed to help you make informed decisions before investing in a new market. 

Talk to us if you are: 

  • A small business employing between one and 50 people 

  • Operating in manufacturing or internationally-traded services 

  • Have been trading for at least 12 months 

  • Registered and operating within the area of your Local Enterprise Office 

  • Not currently a client of Enterprise Ireland or IDA Ireland 

  • Ready to explore a new international market or develop a new product 

  • Ready for exporting by completing an export programme, developing an export plan or making your first export sales 

Here are all the terms and conditions. 

Grants

Markets & Export

Explore if your business idea will work

Feasibility Study Grants

Feasibility Study Support helps you explore if your new business idea, product or service has the potential to succeed. It provides funding to carry out the research and planning you need before spending too much time and money. 

By testing your idea early, you can make better, more informed, decisions and build a stronger foundation for your business.

Talk to us if you are: 

  • Thinking about a business idea, product or service you want to explore 

  • Already employing up to ten people 

  • Registered as a business and operating in Ireland 

 

Here are all the terms and conditions. 

Grants

SAVE ENERGY, SAVE MONEY

Energy Efficiency Grant

The Energy Efficiency Grant helps small businesses invest in energy-saving technology and equipment. It’ll help you reduce energy use, improve efficiency and make your business more sustainable. 

Whether you want to upgrade existing equipment or explore different energy options, this grant can help you take practical steps towards a more energy-efficient business.  

Talk to us if you are: 

  • A small to medium-sized business 

  • Employing up to 50 people 

  • Trading for at least six months 

  • A business that has completed the Green for Business programme, GreenStart, or has completed an energy audit carried out by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) 

Here are all the terms and conditions. 

Sustainability & Energy

Help your early-stage business to grow

Business Expansion Grant

Growing a business brings new opportunities, but it also comes with new costs and challenges. The Business Expansion Grant helps early-stage businesses invest in the people, equipment and services they need to grow. 

Whether you’re expanding your team, improving your operations, or reaching new customers, this support can help you take the next step. 

Talk to us if you are: 

  • A small to medium-sized business 

  • Operating for at least 18 months 

  • In the manufacturing or internationally-traded services sectors 

  • Ready to grow your business 

Here are all the terms and conditions.  

 

Grants

Assessing your business idea and planning

Start Your Own Business Programme

If you're thinking about starting a business, the Start Your Own Business Programme can help you take the next step with confidence. It gives you practical training, expert guidance and the opportunity to learn from experienced business advisors and other entrepreneurs. 

Whether you're exploring a totally new business idea or have actually started trading already, the programme will help you understand what's involved in running a successful business. 

Talk to us if you are: 

  • Thinking about a business idea you want to develop 

  • Keen to become self-employed 

  • Already trading and want to build your skills 

 

Here are all the terms and conditions. 

Education & Training

Get one-on-one advice from experienced mentors

Mentoring

Running a business can be challenging, especially when you're making important decisions about the future. Mentoring connects you with an experienced business person who can offer practical advice, fresh ideas and an independent perspective. 

Your mentor will take the time to understand your business and help you identify opportunities, overcome challenges and make informed decisions. 

This all about getting invaluable advice from someone who's been there before and done that.  

Talk to us if you are: 

  • An owner or a manager of a small to medium-sized business 

  • Looking for practical advice to help your business grow 

  • In need of support with making important business decisions 

  • Seeking an experienced person to share their knowledge and insights with you 

 

Here are all the terms and conditions. 

Education & Training

Discover new solutions to business challenges

Innovation Vouchers

Innovation Vouchers help small businesses like yours to work with experts from higher education institutes and public research organisations. Whether you're developing a new product, improving a service or solving a technical challenge, Innovation Vouchers give you access to specialist knowledge to help move your business forward. 

It's a simple way to explore new ideas, solve problems and identify opportunities for growth. 

Talk to us if you are: 

  • A small to medium-sized business employing up to 50 people 

  • Looking for expert advice to develop a new idea, product or service 

  • Trying to solve a business or technical challenge 

Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.

Grants

Get training and mentorship in various areas for your food business

Food Academy

The Food Academy helps food and drink businesses build the skills and knowledge they need to grow. It provides practical training, mentoring and networking opportunities to help you strengthen your business and prepare for new opportunities. 

The programme can also give you the chance to pitch your product to leading Irish retailers which makes it an excellent door-opener for your new business. 

Talk to us if you are: 

  • Running a food or drink business that is ready to grow 

  • Looking to promote a product that has already been tested with customers 

  • Trading for more than 18 months 

  • Ready to explore opportunities to sell your products through major retailers 

Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.

Education & Training

Innovate through collaborative research and development partnerships

Innovation Partnership Programme

Ready to take your business innovation to the next level? The Innovation Partnership Grant Programme gives you access to academic expertise, funding and practical support to help you develop new products and services, improve how your business works and increase sales. 

You’ll work with academic and industry experts to tackle a specific challenge, develop your innovation capabilities and turn new ideas into opportunities for growth. 

Talk to us if you are: 

  • A small or medium-sized business with between 5 and 249 full-time employees 

  • A manufacturing or internationally-traded services business based on the island of Ireland 

  • Financially viable and trading for at least two years 

  • Ready to take on an innovation project 

  • Able to demonstrate the need for Innovation Boost technical support  

  • Have the senior management commitment and capacity to support the project 

  • Companies must be registered clients of one of the state development agencies (Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Údarás Na Gaeltachta and Local Enterprise Office) and seeking to access the latest skills and expertise from research institutes throughout Ireland. 

Here are all the terms and conditions. 

Grants

GET ONE-TO-ONE ADVICE FROM EXPERIENCED BUSINESS ADVISORS

Business Advice Clinics

Starting or growing a business can be daunting because it involves lots of tough decisions. Business Advice Clinics give you the chance to speak confidentially with an experienced business advisor who can answer your questions and help you understand what supports are available. 

Whether you’re exploring a new business idea or looking for guidance with an existing business, your advisor can help you identify your next steps and connect you with the right support.

Talk to us if you are: 

  • Thinking about starting a business 

  • The owner or manager of a small to medium-sized business 

  • Looking for advice or direction on your next steps 

 

Here are all the terms and conditions.

Education & Training

LEARN WHAT IT TAKES TO START A FOOD BUSINESS

Food Starter Programme

Starting a food business involves more than just having a great idea. The Food Starter Programme helps you understand the food sector in Ireland and what you need to consider before launching your business. 

Through practical online sessions, you’ll learn about the key steps involved in setting up a food production enterprise, from developing your idea to understanding the requirements of the industry.  

Talk to us if you are: 

  • At an early stage of starting a food business 

  • Developing a food product idea you want to explore 

  • Researching what is involved in setting up a food production business 

  • Considering working for yourself in the food sector 

 

Here are all the terms and conditions. 

Education & Training

Hands-on programme to develop exporting skills

Get Exporting

Ready to start selling internationally? Get Exporting helps Irish businesses prepare for their first export sale by giving you the knowledge, practical support and confidence to enter a new market. 

Over six to eight months, you’ll work with export and market specialists to choose the right market, understand your customers and develop a clear plan for winning your first international customers.

Talk to us if you are: 

  • An Irish manufacturing or internationally traded services business 

  • Making less than €10,000 a year in export sales to Northern Ireland or other international markets 

  • Ready to explore your first or next export opportunity 

  • Able to commit to the programme at CEO or senior leadership level 

Here are all the terms and conditions. 

Markets & Export

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Collaborating with you is essential for creating a dynamic future for businesses in Ireland.

Sarah

Innovate Solutions Project Manager
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