ENTREPRENEURIAL spirit is on the rise in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown, with new figures showing a massive 91.7 per cent increase in the number of people assisted by the Local Enterprise Office (LEO).
More than 2,607 clients and companies received support from the LEO in the first nine months of this year, compared to 1,360 during the same period in 2015.
The figure includes a 6.7 per cent increase in the number of approved applications for financial assistance for new and existing local businesses from January to September. Successful applicants received funding for business priming and expansion grants, feasibility studies, export marketing support, and trading online vouchers.
In October, it was revealed that more than €540,000 in financial support had been provided to 27 start-up and expanding small businesses since the start of the year, leading directly to the creation of 44 new jobs — a figure which could rise to 100 over the next year.
There have also been large increases in the number of individuals and companies taking advantage of other LEO supports. More than 800 people attended networking events, 101 started mentoring programmes, 212 have attended business advice clinics, and 1,392 people have commenced LEO-run training courses in areas such as Start Your Own Business, Marketing and Social Media, Tax in Businesses, and Small Business Accounting.
In addition, there were a record 72 entries from Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown for this year’s Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneurs (IBYE) competition.
Georgina Sweetnam, Acting Head of the Local Enterprise Office, said: “The level of engagement from the business community in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown this year is hugely encouraging and demonstrates the growing demand for the range of business supports the LEO provides.”
Dearbhla Lawson, Director of Economic Community and Cultural Development at Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, added: “There is a strong entrepreneurial spirit and start-up culture throughout Dún Laoghaire Rathdown, with new and existing companies driving innovation across many sectors of the economy.
“The Local Enterprise Office is here to help businesses grow and succeed, and we encourage anyone who is starting or expanding their business to get in touch and find out how we can assist them.”
One recent beneficiary of the supports available to new and existing businesses through the Local Enterprise Office is Chris Lauder, founder of the Dublin School of Grinds.
More than 32,000 students have attended courses run by The Dublin School of Grinds since it was founded in 2010, covering almost every subject on the school curriculum.
In February the school will move into 40,000sqft of dedicated education floor space in Stillorgan.
Chris (28) was a finalist in the Best Established Business category of this year’s Irish Best Young Entrepreneur (IBYE) awards in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown, which is run by the LEO.
Chris said: “It was a really fantastic experience, which was facilitated by the LEO. I got to meet some really interesting people — people of a similar age to me with similar stories. There were also a number of presentations given by a number of incredible facilitators who had experiences which they shared with all of us.”
Given his own positive experience with the LEO, Chris believes it is important that other entrepreneurs are aware of the facilities on offer.
He explained: “People don’t realise the level of support that’s out there, and it just involves going into your Local Enterprise Office and asking questions. I can guarantee you’re going to get a whole host of facilities and resources which could be fundamental to growing your company — be it funding, mentoring, training or just introductions to people who can help you on your journey.”
Call for 2047083 or visit www.localenterprise.ie/DLR for more information.