Helping Irish micro- and small-businesses grow, start, and scale
Starting or growing a business is exciting — but often overwhelming. Questions like “Where do I begin?”, “What supports am I eligible for?”, or “How do I scale safely?” can stop many entrepreneurs in their tracks.
That’s where Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) come in. Across Ireland, there are 31 Local Enterprise Offices ready to provide advice, training, mentoring, and financial help for small enterprises. Local Enterprise
Below is a clearer, patient-friendly guide to what LEOs offer, who’s eligible, and how you can tap into these supports.
Who Can Access These Supports?
LEO supports are designed with micro and small businesses in mind, especially those that are just starting out or aiming to grow.
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Financial supports (grants, funding) are available to qualifying businesses in their start-up or expansion phases, typically those employing up to 10 people. Local Enterprise
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Soft supports (training, mentoring, advice) are open to a broader range: sole traders, micro businesses, SMEs, or anyone considering self-employment — even if they don’t employ staff. Local Enterprise
In short: regardless of whether you’ve hired staff or not, there’s help out there. The type of help you’re eligible for depends on your business stage and size.
What the Supports Look Like
The supports from LEOs fall into three broad categories. Think of them as layers you can use depending on where you are in your business journey—idea phase, active trading, or growth mode.
1. Financial Supports
These are grants or funding that help with real expenses, not just free advice. Some key ones include:
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Priming Grant — for new micro enterprises (within 18 months), to assist with startup costs.
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Feasibility Study Grant — to test and validate your idea (market research, prototypes, etc.).
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Business Expansion Grant — for businesses past the initial start-up phase to invest in growth, new equipment, or job creation.
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Research, Development & Innovation (RD&I) Supports — for businesses innovating new or improved products, services, or processes.
These grants typically cover a percentage (often around 50 %) of eligible costs, with caps and rules that vary by region and project.
2. Training & Capacity Building
Understanding your business is just as important as funding it. That’s why LEOs provide targeted training to help you build necessary know-how.
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Start Your Own Business (SYOB) Programme — ideal for anyone with a business idea or who recently started trading.
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Sector-specific programmes — for example, food enterprise, sustainability workshops, customs planning, or digital training.
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Bite-size workshops — short sessions on marketing, budgeting, e-commerce, exporting, and more.
These courses help you gain practical skills you can apply immediately.
3. Mentoring & Advisory Services
Sometimes what you need most is someone who’s walked the path before. LEOs pair you with experienced mentors and offer advisory services in areas like:
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Business planning
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Funding strategies
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Regulatory support (e.g. planning, environment, procurement)
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Networking or introductions to relevant agencies
Mentoring is often one-on-one and tailored to your business’s challenges and goals.
How It All Works — Step by Step
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Find your local LEO. Each county or region has an office that handles supports for businesses in its area. Local Enterprise
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Initial consultation. Meet with the LEO to discuss your business idea or growth ambitions.
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Match to supports. Together you’ll determine which grants, training or mentoring fits your stage.
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Apply / attend / participate. Submit grant applications, attend training sessions, meet with your mentor.
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Implement & scale. Use the knowledge and funding to grow your business, hire staff, or scale up.
LEOs often coordinate with other agencies (like Enterprise Ireland or Microfinance Ireland) to help your business access a broader ecosystem of supports.
Why It Matters
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It lowers the barrier to entry for new businesses — you don’t have to risk as much capital upfront.
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You gain practical skills (not just theory) through training and mentoring.
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You get tailored, local support — each LEO understands its region’s challenges and opportunities.
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You increase your chances of sustainable growth, rather than hitting a ceiling because of lack of support.
A Note on Figures & Scope
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There are 31 Local Enterprise Offices in Ireland. Local Enterprise
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Financial supports are primarily for businesses with up to 10 employees in their start-up or growth phases. Local Enterprise
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Soft supports are broadly available to small businesses, sole traders, and even people thinking of starting a business. Local Enterprise
Because regional offices may vary in how they allocate grants (caps, eligible costs, required match funding), always check with your local LEO for up-to-date rules.
Next Steps — How You Can Use This Support
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Write down your business stage (idea, newly trading, growing) and your goals (e.g. exporting, hiring, expanding).
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Contact your local LEO and set a meeting — they’ll help you map the right supports.
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Prepare a basic business plan, cost estimates, and growth plan — this will help with grant applications.
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Attend relevant training programmes to build your business skills.
With the right supports, your business doesn’t have to limp along — it can take off. The resources are there; you just have to know how to tap them.
