Local Enterprise Office

SPEAKERS ANNOUNCED FOR NATIONAL WOMEN’S ENTERPRISE DAY 2024

The schedule for National Women’s Enterprise Day 2024 has been launched. The initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices takes place on the 17th October with 14 events lined up across the country that will see some of Ireland’s best female entrepreneurs and businesswomen share their stories of challenges and success.

Some of those taking part this year include Aimee Connolly, founder and CEO of Sculpted by Aimee,Anne Heraty founder of CPL Resources, broadcaster and entrepreneur, Norah Casey, Martina Fitzgerald of Scale Ireland, entrepreneur Chupi Sweetman and broadcaster and podcaster Sile Seoige. They will be joined at the events across the country by a host of female led small businesses and start-ups are telling their story of how they began and made it happen with their ideas.

This is the 18th year of National Women’s Enterprise Day and the theme of this year’s event is, “Making it happen”. The event aims to encourage businesswomen to take that next whether that be to act on an idea, grow their business or take steps to change or innovate in their business.

The events will outline the key supports that are available from financial and consultancy to training and mentoring to help them along the way from starting out right through to bringing a business to global markets.

Breege Cosgrave, Co-Chair of National Women’s Enterprise Day 2024, said; “National Women’s Enterprise Day has become a flagship event for female entrepreneurs and businesswomen every year. No matter what stage you are at, idea, starting up, or trying to innovate or grow your business, there is something for you. The events will dive into those stories of success, and failure and how some of the very best businesswomen in Ireland overcame the biggest challenges.

NWED 2024 LEO AMBASSADORS

Most of all, the day is about empowering women in business, or those with that kernel of an idea, to make that next step, whatever it is. It might be making that idea a reality, bringing innovation into your business or taking those first steps in making your company greener or digitization. Whatever it is, the day will have something for you and will show you the supports that are available and the network all around you in your region that are there to help you make it happen.”

The Local Enterprise Offices also run a number of initiatives to foster entrepreneurship across the country. These include Local Enterprise Week, the National Enterprise Awards, the Student Enterprise Programme, National Women’s Enterprise Day and Local Enterprise Showcase. The Local Enterprise Offices in local authorities are funded by the Government of Ireland through Enterprise Ireland.

nwed 2024 LEO Ambassadors

Established in 2014, the Local Enterprise Offices are the essential resource for any entrepreneur looking to start a business or any small business that is looking for support or advice to help them grow. Since their inception eight years ago, the Local Enterprise Offices have helped create over 75,000 jobs across the country. The LEOs work with thousands of client companies across Ireland in a diverse range of sectors offering mentoring, training, expert advice and financial supports to small businesses.

For more information on National Women’s Enterprise Day and what events are on go to www.LocalEnterprise.ie/NWED

Latest News

Case Studies

  • Praline 2

    23/02/2024

    Praline

    In 2017, the delectable journey of Praline began as a small pastry shop and café under the creative direction of owner Norma Kelly. Fast forward to this month and Norma and her team are celebrating the expansion of operations with a new café and chocolate shop at 53 Lower Cork St. Mitchelstown. ...

  • Wanderly

    23/02/2024

    Wanderly

    Founded by Lena Angland, Wanderly transforms simple nature walks into enchanting family experiences using marker cards and augmented reality magic. The strategically placed cards along trails unlock a world of 3D animations through the app, encouraging families to engage, discover facts and reveal hidden creatures in their surroundings....

  • Simple Study

    23/02/2024

    SimpleStudy

    In the age of smartphones and ever-evolving educational technology, students have an unprecedented opportunity to transform their academic performance. Enter SimpleStudy, a West-Cork-based revolutionary platform changing the game for secondary-level students preparing for state exams. Founded by Oisin Devoy and Philip McKenna, SimpleStudy provides a personalised and fun way to study for exams, helping students improve their results by making exam revision easy, engaging, and highly personalised through adaptive learning, gamification, and cutting-edge artificial intelligence....

  • Kinsale Mead Co

    23/02/2024

    Kinsale Mead Co

    Nestled in the heart of Kinsale, the small, family-run business is dedicated to the meticulous crafting of each mead by hand. With the combination of modern winemaking techniques and the finest, carefully selected honey and fruits, Kinsale meads are a sensory delight, earning recognition as among the best in the world. In fact, Kinsale Mead Co. proudly holds the title of the first Irish meadery in 200 years....

  • Cassie  and Coco

    23/02/2024

    Cassie and Coco

    Meet Caroline McAteer, the visionary force behind Cassie & Coco—a brand that emerged from the depths of the pandemic with a scentful story of passion and reinvention. Formerly a secondary school teacher, Caroline's journey took an unexpected turn during Covid. Qualifying as a yoga teacher, she discovered her true calling, intertwining it seamlessly with her entrepreneurial spirit....

  • Wildberry 2

    22/02/2024

    Wildberry

    A family business since 2017, Wildberry produce award winning baked goods which just so happen to also be gluten free. Building the business from a small café and shop to a commercial business delivering high quality products nationwide was not accidental. While Wildberry availed of many supports from the LEO over the years, it is the Lean programme that has been a game-changer for them, increasing productivity by more than 40% and offering them a healthier work/life balance....

  • WCDthumbnail

    26/03/2014

    West Cork Distillers

    An innovative distillation company manufacturing vodka, whiskey & other spirits based in Skibbereen...

Our Partners

  • Cork County Council
  • Enterprise ireland
  • Bord Bia
  • MicroFinance Ireland
  • UCC
  • MTU
  • Skillnet
  • IDA
  • Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment