Fingal Local Enterprise Office (LEO) has released details of its Local Enterprise Week itinerary, which runs from March 7 to 13.

The LEO is one of 31 across Ireland that has announced initiatives aimed at stimulating business activity locally. The last Fingal Enterprise Week was held in October 2015, when more than 1,600 owner/managers attended various business events.

Oisin Geoghegan, head of enterprise in Fingal, welcomed the initiative, saying: “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.”

Local Enterprise Week kicks off on March 7 with a public procurement event in Balbriggan, enabling small businesses to find out how they can secure contracts from the public sector buyers.

In Association with

Another event on the same day in Blanchardstown will provide an opportunity for entrepreneurs to pitch their business, in a bid to secure support from the LINC business incubation in Dublin 15.

Other events planned include a ‘lunch and learn’ event on March 8 in the Clayton Hotel Dublin Airport, organised by Fingal Dublin Chamber.

On March 9, a business advice clinic will be held in Swords, while Fingal businesses looking to export to the US will be invited to attend an exporting event in Tallaght, featuring Philip Gaffney, a seasoned local Fingal exporter to the US giftware market.

On March 10, 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.

Fearless

On the same day, 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, this event will offer a 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. All six will also be competing for the Fingal Enterprise Award Winner 2016 prize. 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.

The week will conclude with a major technology event in Riasc Swords, business advice clinics, and a ‘start your own business’ bootcamp.
Most events are free of charge, though a nominal fee applies to some. To find out more, visit www.localenterprise.ie/fingal.

Speaking at the launch of the Local Enterprise Week initiative in Fingal, Paul Reid, chief executive of Fingal County Council, said: “This is just one of a wide range of initiatives that the local authority can support to enhance the level of economic activity locally.”