“We want to raise awareness among SMEs in the region of the wide range of supports available to those starting their entrepreneurial journey, as well as to small and medium enterprises seeking support and guidance to grow.”

Waterford City Community Enterprise Centre (WCCEC) was established in 2002 as a subset of the Waterford City Enterprise Board to provide a supportive environment for individuals and businesses at the early stage phases of the enterprise development.

Its current manager, Tracy Cullen, has over 20 years’ experience in customer focused environments, having previously worked in companies such as AOL, Carphone Warehouse and Talk Talk following receipt of her degree in Contact Centre Management.

As the manager of WCCEC for over 10 years Tracy oversees the client management and development, and the development of the centre facilities, “I trained in the Thomas International Psychometric tools and assessments which uses behavioural modelling to identify how to best manage and develop employee's and customer service processes.

“I find these skills tie in nicely with the expectations of the Board and resident clients in the WCCEC. We often provide voluntary mentorship and networking opportunities to all service users through our buddy system. This has provided many of our clients past and present with the resources, knowledge and contacts to grow their businesses.”

While originally founded by the Enterprise Board, the WCCEC still has close links to the Local Enterprise Office in Waterford. Referrals from the LEO are offered three months free use of the Remote desk hub, and further supports if the business progresses to a closed desk rental. The LEO also uses our on-site training rooms for their training programmes.

Tracy expanded the centre’s future plans, “Going forward we are collaborating with regional Enterprise Centre’s and the LEO Waterford to improve the offerings available to SME’s in the region and to help support SME’s in our business growth and development through a series of networking events/training and workshops.

“We want to create awareness to SME’s in the region of the vast range of supports available to those either starting on their entrepreneurial journey or the small to medium enterprise that needs support and guidance to grow.

“Like the other enterprise centres regionally, the ethos of the WCCEC has been sector agnostic, operating at the widest opening of the entrepreneurial development funnel to encourage those holding the broadest entrepreneurial ambitions to explore, test and develop their business ideas in a nurturing environment. We provide free pre-start and early stage business desk space, rent subsidised closed door offices, formal and informal mentoring, networking and business training at many stages in the start-up life cycle.”

Waterford City Enterprise Centre will host Lunchtime Bites in collaboration with LEO Waterford during Local Enterprise Week. Lunchtime Bites a series of relaxed, informative lunchtime events taking place across three Enterprise Centre locations during Local Enterprise Week 2026. 

Each session will feature guest speaker Ronan Cleary of Eagle Media. Ronan will explore AEO (AI Engine Optimisation), how businesses can optimise their content and online presence to appear in AI-driven search results and tools, and what this shift means for small businesses in 2026 and beyond.

Local Enterprise Office staff will also be on hand to outline our current Supports and Services, answer questions, and discuss how we can help you grow your business, improve productivity and plan your next steps.

These sessions are also a great opportunity to visit your local Enterprise Centre, learn about the facilities and supports available, and see how the centre could support your business now or in the future.

Dates & Locations:

• Monday 2 March – Waterford City Enterprise Centre, Cork Road, X91 HC2V
• Tuesday 3 March – Dunhill Enterprise Centre, Dunhill Rural Enterprise Park, X91 FVF9
• Wednesday 4 March – Dungarvan Enterprise Centre, Fairlane, Dungarvan, X35 FC60

Lunch is included, so bring your appetite and an open mind. Book Now. 

Local Enterprise Office Waterford is here to help you start a business, expand an existing business or reach new markets. It provides advice, information and supports in starting up or growing your business as part of a network of 31 Local Enterprise Offices across Ireland. 

Contact your Local Enterprise Office Waterford for their latest training programmes, grants and events schedule on www.localenterprise.ie/Waterford or email info@leo.waterfordcouncil.ie for access to all their training support information.

To find out more about the Waterford City Community Enterprise Centre see, www.waterfordenterprisecentre.com