The Local Enterprise Office (LEO ) Galway is one of a network of 31 LEOs throughout the country which provide advice, information and supports to those starting or growing a business. LEO Galway is a first-stop shop for anybody with a business idea, entrepreneurs, or a micro-enterprise. Caroline McDonagh, Head of Enterprise, spoke to the Galway Advertiser about how the work of LEO supports businesses in the west, the available supports and services, her hopes and future direction for LEO.
Caroline has replaced Breda Fox and is the newly appointed Head of Enterprise. She is passionate and committed to supporting entrepreneurs and SMEs throughout Galway city and county. Having worked with the LEO and the business community for nearly 20 years, Caroline understands the challenges and opportunities facing small business owners and managers in the western region.
Last year LEO Galway supported clients to create 111 new jobs and supported over 720 people through business advice clinics and one-to-one mentoring. The training programmes, one-day or two-day courses, saw 1,600 people receive direction on marketing, sales, creating an online presence, and how to complete their own tax returns.
"What we do is we promote a pro-enterprise environment throughout Galway city and county, and the four pillars that we operate from are enabling entrepreneurship, offering business advice, providing enterprise support, and supporting local economic development. Whoever you are, wherever you are throughout Galway, if you have an idea, come and talk to us. We can support businesses through their journey with financial assistance, mentoring, training, and management development programmes."
Completing the business puzzle
The hardworking team in the LEO Office works very closely with their colleagues in Galway County Council and Galway City Council to provide a variety of supports to complete the jigsaw puzzle that hopeful entrepreneurs need to start and operate their own business.
"As part of Galway County Council and a shared service with Galway City Council, this is pivotal to how we function, operate and support businesses. Chief Executive Liam Conneally and Director of Services Liam Hanrahan are very supportive of the work that we do, and we also work closely with our counterparts in Galway City Council.
"We are all working together to achieve the aims of small enterprises. Our focus is to maximise opportunities for job creation and retention. We have many small businesses helping to put dinners on people's tables every evening. We are very proud of that."
LEO Galway's strategic direction is driven through Enterprise Ireland, to provide financial supports and assistance. With support from Méabh Conaghan, Regional Director, the team at LEO has been successful at delivering supports for entrepreneurs and rolling out new sustainability, digitalisation and export supports for businesses across various sectors.
"Traditionally, we were only able to financially assist businesses with up to 10 employees, but now we may support businesses with up to 50 full-time employees in most sectors, pending eligibility. This means we can support a larger variety of businesses and entrepreneurs - our net has widened. Our key message is that we are open for business."
Working to support enterprise development in the west
The close ties between LEO Galway, LEO Mayo, and LEO Roscommon have helped to create specific supports that can be run on a regional basis. The Western Regional Enterprise Programme identifies, plans and activates what is needed for businesses on the ground in the Western Region.
Last year, the three LEOs ran an Ag-Tech Management Development Programme where owners from regional businesses were equipped with the knowledge to plan, grow, export and sustain productivity, innovation and competitiveness, as well as encouraging greater technology take-up.
"As we are on the ground, we are seeing people walking off the street and coming to us, and we know what the needs are. We are small, we are agile, and we have support from Enterprise Ireland and the local authorities. From this, we can react a little bit quicker.
"At the moment, we are planning on running a regional programme to support micro-enterprises with Artificial Intelligence. AI has become such a disruptive technology, and we are all learning, so I would say, watch this space for autumn!"
Success in the west
"One of our successful clients who participated in a recent Ag-Tech programme, MartEye, which bootstrapped from the beginning, was signposted to us from the Portershed and through various LEO supports, is now a well-established software business based in Galway, supporting innovation and creating employment in the region. It is very important that we have strong relations with our stakeholders in the region, such as the PorterShed, Platform 94, BIA Innovator and CREW.
"I think MartEye are a brilliant example of risk takers, commitment, drive, motivation, and a pure passion for what they do. They are starting to get the recognition for what they have been doing. They were fortunate that the opportunity arose during COVID-19; they identified the problem, seized the opportunity, and made it happen."
Supports for Galway businesses
LEO Galway provides financial assistance, such as the Priming Grant, Business Expansion Grant and a Feasibility Study Grant for an individual who wishes to investigate the market demand for a product or service and its sustainability. The Priming and Business Expansion Grants are for businesses in startup or growth phase, to support the business on their journey to create employment and build their export markets.
Most businesses can apply for the Green for Business consultancy. There is also the new Energy Efficiency Grant of up to €10,000, or 75 percent of the cost, to encourage businesses to be more sustainable. The Energy Efficiency Grant supports investment in technologies and equipment following the completion of a Green for Business, a Green Start or a SEAI Energy Audit.
The Grow Digital Grant, which is open to most sectors with up to 50 full-time employees, aims to assess how businesses digitally engage and communicate with stakeholders, how they deal with logistics, supply chain, and distribution.
The Grow Digital Voucher, up to €5000, covers 50 percent of the costs for new software subscriptions for a period of 12 months and training and configuration of that software.
Hopes for the future of LEO Galway
Caroline hopes that businesses stay strong during these uncertain times, highlighting that the LEO will be able to pivot and change to support its entrepreneurs.
"My hope is that they keep trusting us and believing in us, that we can help them and bring them along the journey. I hope the risk takers do not stop taking risks. We would like more businesses, more entrepreneurs, to come to us, keep coming to us, and trust us. I think that is a big thing, because we are here. We are not going anywhere.
"Just call in, pick up the phone, or email us. We have plenty of people to help and talk to, and plenty of support. It is a big world out there, but we have the experience and the knowledge, and we can support Galway businesses."
