Local Enterprise Office (LEO)

The Local Enterprise Office is the First Stop Shop for anyone seeking information and support on starting or growing a business in Ireland. The Local Enterprise Office provides advice, information and support to you in starting up or growing your business.

With 31 dedicated teams across the Local Authority network in Ireland, Local Enterprise Offices offer you a wide range of experience, skills and services.
The Local Enterprise Office is for people interested in starting up a new business or already in business including; entrepreneurs, early stage promoters, start-ups and small business looking to expand.

Criteria for Small Business to work with Agency:

The Local Enterprise Office (LEO) is the First Stop Shop for anyone seeking information and support on starting or growing a business in Ireland. We provide a range of advice, information, business training programmes and supports depending on your stage in business.

LEOs can assist in the establishment and/or development of new and existing enterprises (limited company, individuals/sole trader, cooperatives and partnerships) provided that such enterprises/projects are capable of attaining commercial viability and subject to the following eligibility criteria:

• The enterprise must not employ more than 10 people;
• The enterprise must be established, registered and operate within the geographic location of the Local Enterprise Office;
• The enterprise must operate in the commercial sphere;
• The enterprise must demonstrate a market for the product/service;
• The enterprise must have potential for growth in domestic and/or export markets and also potential for new job creation.

Supports for Small Food and Drinks Businesses:

If you need one-to-one advice and support, we can help! We provide business advice clinics and mentoring services to those who are setting up a business. We provide a range of training programmes including Food Starter and Food Academy programme specific to the food and drinks sector. Please visit our website for further information on the supports available to you.

Funding for Small Food and Drinks Businesses:

The Local Enterprise Offices provide a range of financial supports designed to assist with the establishment and/or growth of enterprises (limited company, individuals/sole trader, cooperatives and partnerships) employing up to ten people.

These include:

• Feasibility Study Grants
• Priming Grants
• Business Expansion Grants
• Technical Assistance for Micro Exporters
• European Globalisation Fund
• New Agile Innovation Fund
• Brexit Supports for your Small Business