Press Release Friday 12th February 2016
ENTERPRISE WEEK TO STIMULATE JOB CREATION IN DUBLIN
Fingal Local Enterprise Office announces details of new “Local Enterprise Week” initiative scheduled for 7th to 13th March
Fingal Local Enterprise Office (LEO) is one of 31 across Ireland that has announced a series of exciting initiatives aimed at stimulating business activity locally. Several “LEOs” have been running Enterprise Week events for years, and Fingal LEO has been at the forefront of the initiative. The last Fingal Enterprise Week was held just last October when more than 1,600 owner/managers attended various business events in Fingal.
But now all 31 Local Enterprise Offices around the country have agreed to run hundreds of events during the week 7th to 13th of March, with the ultimate aim being to create jobs among small businesses and also to encourage those with a business idea to pursue their dream.
Oisin Geoghegan, Head of Enterprise in Fingal welcomed the new initiative, saying:
“There are plenty of business opportunities out there, but you have to go out and find them. We want to help small businesses to identify opportunities for growth. Equally importantly, anyone with a viable plan for a new business needs to be encouraged to pursue their dream. The new Local Enterprise Week initiative is a brilliant platform for us to stimulate job creation locally and throughout the country”.
Speaking at the launch of the Local Enterprise Week initiative in Fingal, Chief Executive of Fingal County Council Paul Reid commented:
“This is just one of a wide range of initiatives that the Local Authority can support to enhance the level of economic activity locally. Local Authorities have a pivotal role to play in providing an environment where businesses can flourish. In Fingal we have a proud tradition of encouraging and enabling our local small business community to prosper. Local Enterprise Week is sending out another signal to those running small businesses – that the Local Authority is here to encourage, to support and to assist them every step of the way.”
A wide variety of initiatives are planned in Fingal. On the first day Monday the 7th, a public procurement event in Balbriggan will enable small businesses to find out how they can secure contracts from the public sector buyers. Another event on the same day in Blanchardstown is an opportunity to “Pitch” your business for a supported business incubation unit at the LINC, at the Institute of Technology in Dublin 15.
On Tuesday 8th of March, Fingal Dublin Chamber hosts a “lunch and learn” seminar in the Airport Clayton hotel, while over in Blanchardstown the biggest ever “Student Enterprise Awards” competition comes to a climax, with hundreds of Fingal student entrepreneurs participating in the final of the Fingal heats of this Enterprise competition. Tuesday is also International Womens Day so later that evening, a Dublin-wide women in business networking event will be hosted in Dublin city centre, featuring the “Fingal Enterprising Women” network.
Wednesday 9th March kicks off with Business Advice clinics in Swords, while Fingal businesses looking to export to the U.S.A. will be invited to attend an exporting event in Tallaght, featuring Philip Gaffney, a seasoned local Fingal exporter to the U.S. giftware market. Later that evening Blanchardstown Library plays host to a seminar geared at helping people to “Investigate Your Business Idea”.
On Thursday morning businesses attending a “Trading Online” seminar in Swords will learn how they can avail of grant assistance to help them to develop their websites, while Fingal Food businesses will be invited to attend a Dublin Food Chain event in UCD. And on Thursday evening the highlight of Local Enterprise Week in Fingal will be held in Riasc Centre in Swords. Called “FEARLESS” and featuring Bobby Kerr of Dragons Den fame and boss of the Insomnia chain of coffee shops, this event promises to be an exciting learning and networking experience for businesses from all across Fingal. Six newly established and successful business owner/managers will relay how they have succeeded in setting up their new enterprises. And all six will be competing for the coveted prize, the “Fingal Enterprise Award winner 2016”. The overall winner will receive a cash prize of €5,000 courtesy of Fingal local Enterprise Office and AIB who are co-sponsors of the award.
Then on Friday and Saturday the week concludes with a major Technology event in Riasc Swords, business advice clinics, and a Start Your Own Business bootcamp.
Most events are completely free of charge, though a nominal fee applies to some. To find out more, visit https://www.localenterprise.ie/Fingal/Training-Events/Local-Enterprise-Week-7th-13th-March-2016/
ENDS
For all media queries around the Local Enterprise Week and National Enterprise Awards, please contact Oisin Geoghegan, Head of Enterprise, Fingal Local Enterprise Office. Phone 087-9884081.
Photos of launch event on 12th February available from Joe Keogh Photography.
