An extensive range of supports is on offer for those bitten by the entrepreneurial bug. Decades of strong policy in this area means a wide variety of bodies are involved in enterprise support, including the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs), Enterprise Ireland, Research Ireland and InterTradeIreland, and Business Incubation Centres (BICs).
Orla Byrne is assistant professor of entrepreneurship at the University College Dublin (UCD) School of Business. She praises Ireland’s enterprise support ecosystem, saying a “proactive” approach that covers all bases has evolved in recent years.
“It’s something to be very proud of,” Byrne says. “The enterprise support ecosystem, it’s healthy, and it’s thriving, it’s robust, it’s come on a lot. There’s a huge range of supports available for people in terms of hard support, which is maybe the grant side of things. But also a huge amount of support in terms of networking, mentoring and training.”
Aidan Shine, chief executive of Propelor, the BIC for the southeast, agrees wholeheartedly that entrepreneurs are spoiled for choice when it comes to enterprise support of all kinds.
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“Ireland has built a strong and coherent support ecosystem for new and growing enterprises, particularly at early and scaling stages,” he says. Shine notes that Local Enterprise Offices provide a first port of call, offering mentoring, training and grant support for microenterprises nationwide. For high-growth and export-oriented firms, Enterprise Ireland plays a central role through funding, equity investment and international market access.
“The New Frontiers programme bridges academia and entrepreneurship, helping founders validate ideas and transition from concept to company,” he adds.
As businesses grow, Shine points out that accelerator support is well developed through initiatives such as the National Digital Research Centre (NDRC), which offers intensive, mentor-led programmes for technology start-ups. “The network of Irish Business Innovation Centres – which includes Furthr, WestBIC, and AxisBIC, as well as Propelor – further strengthens the ecosystem by supporting start-ups with investment readiness and scaling expertise,” he explains.
BICs such as Propelor offer practical, hands-on support via tailored, founder-led consultancy, national and regional programmes, and a strong calendar of masterclasses and events. “Propeller also plays a key role in preparing start-ups for investment, helping founders refine strategy, strengthen propositions and access the right capital at the right time,” Shine adds.
The sheer volume of support available, however, means it can be somewhat daunting for start-ups beginning their business journey or businesses attempting to scale. Byrne says the Government has responded to this by creating the National Enterprise Hub (NEH), which brings together information and resources on more than 250 government supports from 32 departments and state agencies available to Irish businesses.
This streamlining is hugely helpful for what can be a tricky system to navigate, she says. “If I’m starting a food business, do I go to my LEO? But I want to export, so then I head to Enterprise Ireland. But then do I get support from Bord Bia because I’m in the food sector? Trying to figure out where to go for that support can potentially be overwhelming.”
Ciara Horgan Roca, the National Enterprise Hub’s hub manager, notes that in its first 12 months, the all-of-government NEH has supported more than 11,000 companies, demonstrating the strength of Ireland’s enterprise support network.
“Our streamlined approach equips businesses with essential digital and sustainability resources, helping them manage rising costs and remain competitive,” she says.
The NEH essentially solves the problem described by Byrne, by providing dedicated advisers who work directly with SMEs to identify the most relevant supports for their needs, whether it’s grants, funding, loans, or expert advice across multiple sectors.
Horgan Roca says Irish SMEs are operating in a complex and challenging environment, making access to grants and supports more critical than ever. “Small businesses who are engaging with the National Enterprise Hub are concerned about rising cost of business and competitiveness, which is why having a single, central source of government supports is essential.”
But Byrne also cautions that while entrepreneurs need support throughout their enterprise journey, those whose businesses ultimately do not succeed should also be offered help and guidance.
“It’s great to encourage entrepreneurship but we should also be aware that if it doesn’t work out for those people that that can be a difficult hurdle for them to overcome when it does happen,” she says. “More support in terms of how they can rebound would be greatly welcomed.”
