Marketing Advice and Grant Supports

Local Enterprise Office Westmeath offers a range of supports and services to assist businesses with marketing including:

• Training
• Marketing Clinics
• Website Grants
• Trade Show Assistance
• Potential for Marketing Grants (criteria apply ; eligible businesses only)

Feasibility Studies

Grant aid may also be available to eligible businesses/clients towards the cost of conducting a Feasibility Study and preparing a Business Plan. A Feasibility Study grant may be used to assess the viability of a business proposal and to ascertain whether a product or service should be brought to market. Maximum grant aid available is €20,000 per feasibility study or 50% of research costs whichever is the lesser.

Business Mentoring

A Business Mentoring Service is also available to small businesses that wish to obtain professional business advice/counseling through a panel of Mentors in the area of marketing. Our panel of Mentors are experienced Consultants who are skilled in working with the owner/manager to specify any problems in the business, identify solutions and help to implement them. For further details, contact us at localenterprise@westmeathcoco.ie This service is funded by the Local Enterprise Office to a maximum value of €1,000.00 subject to approval and the number of visits will be agreed with the client in advance.  The fee for the client is a booking fee of €70 with your application for mentoring assistance. This payment can be made online. We can only organise mentoring upon receipt of this payment.

We endeavour to match a Mentor to a particular client with the key objective that the Mentor will provide advice and information, assist the business in identifying areas for improvement, devise action plans and offer guidance in implementing these plans.

A Mentors primary role is to listen, offer advice and provide guidance. As each business is unique and has its own individual requirements, a mentor identifies the specific needs of their client and customises the advice to the particular business.

A standard mentoring assignment is three sessions (3 x 3 hours).

Trade Show Support:

Trade Show Support may be made available to eligible businesses for up to a maximum of 50% of the cost of exhibiting at a national / international exhibition (VAT exclusive), up to a maximum level of €1,000, whichever is the lesser.  Expenditure incurred prior to approval will not be eligible for support.  If approved, promoters must furnish the LEO with evidence of full payment and a brief progress report on the exhibition.  The business must be based in County Westmeath to be eligible to apply for assistance.  The grant is available to businesses employing ten or less employees.  

Website Grants:

Website Grants are available from Local Enterprise Office to develop a new website for your business or upgrade an existing website.  The grant available may be offered at a rate of up to 50% of the eligible cost of your website.  A maximum of €1,000 is available for websites with a sell on-line facility and for those developing or upgrading a brochure website, a maximum of 50% of the cost up to a maximum of €500 is available.  Applications will only be accepted from businesses employing less than 10 employees.  Terms and Conditions apply. Please note that applications are on a first come first served basis.

Market Research:

Market research can be facilitated by availing of our extensive library of business information and reference material from our First Stop Shop located in the County Buildings, Mullingar.  If it is not possible for you to call into our offices, telephone any staff member and we will try to help you over the phone. Services include:

• Local economy research and business support
• Technological and Communications Advice
• Starting a Business,
• Legal Structures for Businesses,
• Taxation,
• Business Planning
• How to write a Business Plan
• Employment Legislation
• Sectoral Reports
• Company Law/Acts etc.

Marketing Training & Development Programmes:

Businesses from all sectors can avail of market training and development programmes organised on an ongoing basis by Local Enterprise Office Westmeath

• How to Market your Business effectively in the Economic Downturn
• Website Marketing & Optimisation
• Internet Clinics
• One to one marketing clinic with a professional marketing company.
• Increase sales in a Downturn