A diverse range of engaging business-focused events took place both online and in person from March 4th to 8th, 2024, as part of this year's Local Enterprise Week (LEW). Across the country, hundreds of physical and virtual events were organized by the 31 Local Enterprise Offices, and within Fingal, business owners and managers seized the opportunity to network and explore new supports and opportunities for their ventures.
The week commenced on Monday the 4th of March with an in-person dynamic “Start-Up Bootcamp” in the Riasc Centre, Kinsealy. Forty aspiring entrepreneurs participated in the intensive bootcamp, where they took part in interactive group exercises and received real-world advice from business experts followed by one to one mentoring from Fingal LEO Mentors.
On Tuesday, LEO Fingal in collaboration with Balbriggan Chamber hosted a mid-morning networking lunch in the Lark, Balbriggan which featured three of Fingal’s renowned entrepreneurs Tom Keogh (Keogh’s Crisps), Giselle Makinde (Cream of the Crop) and Michael Dawson (One4All and Irish Institute of Music and Song), who spoke about how to identify and seize opportunities for business success.
Later Tuesday evening, the Fingal Enterprise Awards took place in County Hall Swords, Five finalists vied for the coveted prize of winner of the 2024 competition. The five finalists from across Fingal consisted of: Carol Kinsella Chocolates (Carol Kinsella and Sean Kinsella ,Kinsealy Dublin 17), Lumineire, trading as Elite Woodworking Machinery (Paula O’Connor, Clonee Dublin 15), PRM Assist Limited (Conor Halpin, Dublin Airport), Silvertop Ltd trading as QBM (David Butler and David Fitzpatrick, Baldoyle, Dublin 13) and Thorn Environmental Ltd (Adam Thorn, Ballycoolin, Dublin 15).
PRM Assist Limited, a business dedicated to assisting air passengers with reduced mobility at airports, emerged as the overall winners. PRM Assist Limited took the top prize of €5,000 and will progress to represent Fingal at the National Enterprise Awards at the National Enterprise Awards at the Mansion House in Dublin later this year in May.
Wednesday saw the Behind the Business Breakfast Networking event with Fingal Chamber, featuring accomplished entrepreneurs Heather Gilroy (Co-Founder of Prints of Ireland) and Colm Foley, (Founder of 65 Hurls) and Kevin Egan, (Founder of How To Company) who shared their extensive knowledge as well as advice. The panel discussion delved into the challenges and opportunities faced by businesses striving for success in the current economic climate.
On Thursday, a dynamic event centered on "Raising Finance" took place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Blanchardstown. Hosted by Richard Curran and featuring an expert panel of seven speakers, over 200 attendees discovered the "Dos" and "Don'ts" of raising finance. Those who attended also had the opportunity to engage in a stimulating Q&A session with the panel to conclude the event.
Local Enterprise Week concluded on Friday, March 10th, with a bumper business briefing at the Carlton Hotel Dublin Airport. Sixty attendees gathered to delve deeper into the various supports offered by the Local Enterprise Office. Additionally, 150 of Fingal’s Female Entrepreneurs convened to celebrate International Women’s Day 2024 with a networking lunch hosted by the Fingal Enterprising Women's Network at Roganstown Hotel & Country Club. Fingal Enterprising Women's Network (FEWN) welcomed TV personality and accomplished Businesswoman, Anna Daly, who shared her wisdom on "Media, Motivation, and Making it Happen".
Other notable events during Local Enterprise Week included a special sustainability-focused online workshop with Liz Bonnin, a world-renowned Natural History and Environmental broadcaster. Additionally, an intriguing webinar focused on "Understanding and leveraging future trends for your business" and "Pitch Perfect: Battle of the Start-Ups" was hosted by the four Dublin Local Enterprise Offices in conjunction with TUDublin. This event showcased Dublin’s top entrepreneurs competing for the chance to win €5,000.