Business and Economy

Local Enterprise Office Laois can help you manage your Brexit response by taking simple steps to protect your small business from any impact arising from Brexit.

This free service gives you the opportunity to discuss your idea/business confidentially with a business advisor and seek further information on LEO supports and services.

Laois offers a vibrant network of remote working hubs, designed with flexibility and connectivity at their core. These state-of-the-art facilities cater to freelancers, entrepreneurs, and remote employees seeking a productive and collaborative work environment.

Our confidential business advisory service gives you the opportunity to discuss your idea/business confidentially with a business advisor and seek further information on LEO supports and services. .

Laois County Council supports businesses to carry out upgrade works to the exterior of their premises. These works include boundary treatment, wall repair, painting, landscaping and other works that improve the appearance of their premises.

The Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) is the world's largest support network for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) with international ambitions.

Local Enterprise Office Laois has the express aim of helping clients to strategise and plan for export sales and international business.

The Food Academy programme available through the Local Enterprise Office collaborates with small businesses on their journey from beyond the start-up phase right through to getting their product on Supervalu shelves

The Food Starter programme is a programme designed to help those with a food idea, or those at a very early stage of starting up a food business. It will cover everything from an overview of the Irish food sector to the specifics of starting a food production business. 

Green for Business is a free programme that helps small businesses take the first step towards becoming more sustainable, giving you access to a green consultant who’ll show you the small changes that can have a big impact on your company - and the world around you. 

Lean For Business is designed to encourage clients to adopt Lean business principles in their organisations to increase performance and competitiveness. Lean is for all companies, regardless of sector – it is not just for manufacturing companies.

Microfinance Ireland (MFI), is a not-for-profit lender, set up by the government that provides loans to small businesses from €2,000 up to €50,000.

The aim of the “Enterprise Awareness in- school workshops” is to show the students that the very things they learn at school every day and their inherent abilities can make them a successful businessperson.

The Student Enterprise Programme is an enterprise education programme run by the Network of Local Enterprise Office of Ireland (LEOs) and runs from September to May each year.

Local Enterprise Offices may provide financially supported exhibition spaces to gift, craft, design and homewares businesses to exhibit at the annual Showcase Ireland event.

Local Enterprise Office Laois provides a series of training & development programmes that are of benefit to various sectors of the small business community across the county. 

LEO Laois has a panel of experienced Business Mentors that are available to meet with business owners to advise them on particular issues in their business.

The Business Expansion grant is designed to assist the business in its growth phase after the initial 18 month start-up period.

Local Enterprise Offices may provide financial support to those who are researching the market demand for an innovative new product or service and are considering whether to develop it.

Laois County Council provides financial support to new businesses which intend to set up in premises that have been vacant for a specified time.

Local Enterprise Offices may provide financial support to small businesses in the first 18 months following the start up stage.

Laois County Council provides financial support to business owners to improve the appearance of shop fronts and commercial properties on public streets.

Local Enterprise Offices may provide financial support to businesses to explore and develop new market opportunities, exhibit at trade fairs, prepare marketing material and develop websites for overseas markets.

The Trading Online Voucher Scheme is a financial incentive to small businesses to develop or enhance their ability to trade online. Under the scheme a qualifying business may apply for funding to a maximum value of €2,500 or 50% of eligible expenditure (exclusive of VAT), whichever is the lesser.

The Vacant Commercial Property Incentive Scheme aims to encourage the use of vacant commercial premises within town centres. This scheme incentivises new businesses to occupy vacant premises by lowering entry costs in the form of a range of grants and mentoring opportunities.

The Research, Development, and Innovation (RD&I) and the application of knowledge are critical drivers for the future success of Irish industry.