Fingal’s business community once again came together in impressive numbers for this year’s Local Enterprise Week, delivered by the Local Enterprise Office Fingal (LEO Fingal) from 2nd to 6th March 2026. A varied and engaging programme of events, hosted both directly by LEO Fingal and in partnership with regional and national collaborators, offered entrepreneurs, start-ups and established businesses the opportunity to learn, connect and explore new supports throughout the week. As part of the nationwide celebration involving all 31 Local Enterprise Offices, Fingal contributed a packed schedule that reflected the diversity and ambition of the local business landscape.
The week began on Monday, 2nd March, with the energetic Start-Up Bootcamp in Kinsealy, where participants took part in a full day of practical training and interactive sessions led by Noel Davidson of the Entrepreneurs Academy, supporting those embarking on their entrepreneurial journey. This was followed by an online finance session with Paul Merriman, offering straightforward insights for business owners seeking to strengthen their financial understanding.
On Tuesday, Fingal businesses took part in a range of events centred on digital adoption, exporting and sustainability. The sold‑out AI Works for Ireland summit at Google provided practical demonstrations and strategic insights for those looking to integrate AI into their operations. Businesses also joined sessions on global trade and Lean/Green/Digital practices, while a large audience gathered that evening in County Hall, Swords, for the Fingal Enterprise Awards 2026, celebrating the achievements of this year’s finalists. Marti Nulty of Now Coco was selected as the winner on the night and will go on to represent Fingal at the National Enterprise Awards in the Mansion House in June.
On Wednesday, industry voices came together at the Innovation & Foods Trend Conference, while later in the day business owners participated in Digital Boost: LEO’s Digital Toolkit for Success, an online session outlining the digital supports available from the Local Enterprise Offices. The evening concluded with an engaging panel discussion hosted by Fingal Chamber, focusing on leadership, resilience and high‑performance in a fast‑changing business environment.
Thursday featured a mix of mentoring, AI education and entrepreneurial showcasing. A fully booked Meet the Mentor clinic provided one‑to‑one business advice, while AI Without the Hype in Balbriggan, delivered in collaboration with Balbriggan Chamber, offered an accessible introduction to realistic, practical uses of AI for small businesses. Later that afternoon, TU Dublin hosted the vibrant Pitch Perfect: Battle of the Startups competition, highlighting some of the most innovative emerging businesses in the Dublin region.
The final day of Local Enterprise Week, Friday, 6th March, centred on business supports, wellbeing and intellectual property. The morning business briefing gave attendees a thorough overview of the grants, advisory services and development programmes available from LEO Fingal. As soon as the morning Business Supports Briefing concluded, the LEO Fingal team was at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Santry hotel to welcome attendees arriving for the Fingal Enterprising Women Network event, an uplifting International Women’s Day gathering focused on sustainable high performance and wellbeing and facilitated by Sharon Rossignuolo.
The week concluded with a practical online session on intellectual property, equipping entrepreneurs with guidance on protecting their ideas and assets.
Local Enterprise Week 2026 once again highlighted Fingal’s strong, collaborative business ecosystem, demonstrating the continued commitment of LEO Fingal, its partners and the wider enterprise community to supporting innovation, growth and entrepreneurship across the region.
