Startup businesses providing services in Irish will now be able to avail of supports, training and networking opportunities from a new entrepreneurship programme launched this week.
The Todhchaí programme is a partnership between Údarás na Gaeltachta, the Digital Hub, and Gaeilge365, and was launched by Gaeltacht minister Dara Calleary TD last Tuesday.
The programme aims to facilitate connections between Irish?language entrepreneurs and partners in the public and private sectors.
Todhchaí will also offer direct supports to businesses by online courses, hackathons and startup bootcamps and it is hoped that the programme can facilitate the establishment of at least 15 Irish-language startups annually.
The programme will offer training, practical supports, online learning, and workshops for entrepreneurs, while also helping new businesses connect with public and private sector organisations increasingly seeking Irish-language services.
Speaking to the Advertiser, Chief Executive of Údarás na Gaeltachta Tomás Ó Síocháin said demand for services delivered through Irish has grown significantly, particularly within the public sector, creating new opportunities for businesses in the Gaeltacht and across Galway.
“Demand is coming from the public sector based on existing legislation, and based on the growth and interest in Irish language matters,” he said.
“This is an opportunity for small companies in the Gaeltacht and elsewhere across the country that are operating and providing services through Irish.
“The outcome will be that there is a platform where small suppliers and sole traders can list their services and, on the other side, public agencies that need these services will be able to connect with them.”
Ó Síocháin also highlighted the programme’s potential to support economic sustainability in Gaeltacht areas by helping local people establish businesses while remaining rooted in their communities.
“In a way, you are drawing on entrepreneurship and the Gaeltacht community to meet the demand for services coming from outside the Gaeltacht,” he said.
Among those attending the launch was Galway-based entrepreneur Loretta Ní Ghabháin, founder and managing director of Lorg Media, which specialised in Irish-language content creation and digital marketing.
“I believe it is a very positive thing. There was nothing like it when I was starting out, with my creative marketing agency ” said Ní Ghabháin.
“At the time, there wasn’t as much entrepreneurship going on, in the digital landscape, though there was some of course. That is growing now and, as a result, it is wonderful that something like this is available now.
“When I started out, Údarás na Gaeltachta was not supporting businesses in the Digital media sector. There was little support for people operating as service providers. That is now changing, and that is a good thing.”
Ní Ghabháin also said that previously established businesses should be able to benefit from the Todhchaí programme as they had a lot to offer the sector.
“Companies that have already established Irish-language businesses will have a lot to give back,” she said.
The entrepreneur also suggested that training opportunities should be ensured outside the capital and particularly in the west of the country.
“I always had to go to Dublin to attend conferences or do further upskilling and training. That is changing, which is great, but I would love to see more happening on this side of the country,” she said.
Additionally, Ní Ghabháin mentioned the Growing for Growth programme as a scheme designed to support women grow their businesses.
She said that it had given much-valued support to her in growing her own business and that it would be good to have a similar scheme as part of the Todhchaí programme.
“There is room to expand in that area as well, so that more support is available for women and for them to come together in person,” she said.
