First Virtual Local Enterprise Week a “Success” for Clare
Over 455 budding entrepreneurs and business owners in Clare have taken part in online events this week, marking Local Enterprise Week (March 1st – 5th), which has been hailed as a “success” by Local Enterprise Office Clare.
An annual initiative from the 31 Local Enterprise Offices around the country, including Local Enterprise Office Clare, more than 270 events took place online under the theme of ‘Making It Happen’ attracting over 10,700 bookings nationally.
Supported by Clare County Council and Enterprise Ireland, Local Enterprise Office Clare hosted eight events for local businesses this week, in addition to ten Spotlight events which were open to businesses across the country.
Speaking on the last day of Local Enterprise Week, Padraic McElwee, Head of Enterprise with Local Enterprise Office Clare, said: “We moved all of our events for Local Enterprise Week online for the first time, making them as accessible as possible for local businesses. It’s been a very successful week as we had many start-ups and businesses from the county learning about areas like the green economy, becoming more competitive and leaner, exploring new opportunities online as well as finding out what supports could benefit their business in 2021.”
He said: “I’d like to thank all the companies that joined us online this week and all the speakers and contributors that shared their experiences, challenges and insights at every event. I’d also like to give a special word of thanks to our team here in Local Enterprise Office Clare for rolling out such an impressive programme of events.
Highlights from the week included Managing Your Online Business Regional Event, S.M.A.R. Tech for Start Ups Spotlight Event , Student Enterprise Programme Finals and Digi Eco for the Green Economy Information Event.
An Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar T.D. officially opened the first Spotlight event for Local Enterprise Week and launched the new Green for Micro Programme on Monday (March 1st), which helps small businesses decarbonise and become more sustainable. The Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, Robert Troy T.D. spoke at another Spotlight event on the opening day, which focused on developing leadership and resilience.
At the final Spotlight event for Local Enterprise Week on Friday (March 5th), the Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Damien English T.D. focused on how small businesses could gain a digital advantage through the Trading Online Voucher Scheme.
Further training programmes and events for Clare businesses are taking place throughout March and details can be found at LocalEnterprise.ie/Clare.
