Cork LEOs to help businesses plan and future proof during Enterprise Week 2023

Fostering entrepreneurship and nurturing small businesses are among the key ingredients needed to ‘Make It Happen’ for companies across Cork’s vibrant commercial sector.

That’s the view of County Mayor Cllr Danny Collins, who this week visited the Mallow office of the Cork North & West Local Enterprise Office (LEO) to launch Enterprise Week 2023, which will run from March 6 -10.

Under the theme of ‘Making It Happen’, Enterprise Week will focus on helping businesses to look forward and future proof for the years ahead.

Coordinated by regional LEO’s and supported by Enterprise Ireland and local authorities, it will see people participate in a variety of initiatives aimed at helping fledging and expanding enterprises raise their profiles.

The busy schedule will incorporate workshops and training events for LEO clients across all sectors and stages of business development, from start-ups to established small businesses.

Highlights will include a ‘An Entrepreneur Like You’ at the Corrin Events Centre in Fermoy, which will shine the spotlight on the journeys of three cork entrepreneurs who will speak about what it takes to start and manage your own business.

‘Digitising for Business’ at the Charleville Park Hotel will help people understand the importance of digitising an enterprise, while the Ludgate Hub in Skibbereen will hold a ‘Starting Your Own Food Business’ workshop.

Across the week there will be a number of information webinars on topics including the social media, grants and finance, exporting goods and the trading online voucher.

In addition to local events taking place under the Enterprise Week umbrella, full details of which are available at www.localenterprise.ie/corknorthandwest this year’s programme also includes 10 national ‘Spotlight’ events covering various important issues.

Mayor Collins encouraged entrepreneurs to take advantage of the week long series of events.

“Our LEO’s in Cork North & West and South Cork offer a range of supports for small businesses and start-ups,” said Mayor Collins.

“Local Enterprise Week is the perfect opportunity for businesses to immerse themselves into a specific area of interest and gather information on a topic that may be important to their business now or in the future.”

Cork County Council’s chief executive, Tim Lucey, said Cork’s LEO’s have a proud record of supporting homegrown businesses.

“Since their establishment in 2014 they have provided a suite of supports to small businesses including mentoring, training, sector specific expert consultancy and financial supports to help guide businesses at any stage of their development,2said Mr Lucey.

“Figures released for 2022 show that our Local Enterprise Offices financially supported 433 small businesses in their portfolio across the county, these companies in turn employ 2,272 people,” he added.

For more information on Local Enterprise Week and to find information on the National Spotlight Events and specific events taking place in Cork County, visit www.localenterprise.ie.