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All the latest news from the Local Enterprise Office. 
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Welcome to Local Enterprise News

Check out the latest news, updates and supports from the Local Enterprise Office. We hope you find our newsletter informative and welcome your comments and suggestions. 

The Local Enterprise Office Team
Laois Best Young Entrepreneur
Are you aged between 18 and 35, in business or have a great business idea? You could have a chance of becoming Laois Best Young Entrepreneur and winning part of a 50k prize fund.
Apply online today at www.ibye.ie or contact 057-866 1800 for more information. 
Local Enterprise Office Laois have launched a YouTube channel where we will be featuring videos on our clients, events and the supports we offer here. 
Find out more here. 
E-commerce is the fastest growing retail market in Europe, according to the Centre for Retail Research. The Local Enterprise Office wants to help small businesses capitalise on these online trends with a grant of up to €2,500 to help develop a website and online sales. 
Learn more today by calling us on 057-866 1800. 
Come and visit the Local Enterprise Village (stand 765, row 32) at the National Ploughing Championships 2016 taking place from the 20th-22nd September 2016 in Tullamore, Co. Offaly. A vast selection of unique small enterprises will be showcasing what they have to offer. 
Agriculture and Manufacturing Competitive Start Fund Opening Soon! 
The Competitive Start Fund aims to accelerate the growth of start-up companies that have the capability to succeed in global markets. A call for applications active in the agricultural and manufacturing sectors opens Wednesday 21st September and closes at 3pm Wednesday 5th October. Funds of up to a maximum of €50,000 available. Find out more on the eligibility criteria and application process here. 
Our Mentor Programme is designed to match up the capabilities of experienced business practitioners with small business owners who need practical advice and guidance. Find out more here. 
Upcoming Events

Are you looking to meet trade partners and associations who can help you reach new export markets? Taking place on 29th September, the EXIM Summit is the ideal opportunity. More information available here.
Life Science Career Opportunities
Date: 28th September
Location: Athlone Institute of Technology
More information here.
Road to Success
If you're thinking of starting a business or already running your own company, join the Local Enterprise Offices on National Women's Enterprise Day, Wednesday October 19th, on the road to success. Hear five inspiring journeys and work out your own route to success over lunch at the Wineport Lodge. Book your place here
Watch video case studies of 2014 & 2015 winners of Laois Best Young Entrepreneur and find out more about their story here.
Check out our competition and enter to be in with a chance of winning a Sony Wireless Stereo Headset. More info here.
Upcoming Training Courses
21st September
Haccp/Food Safety (Certified)
Book online

27th September
Maximise your Trade Show Investment 
Book online

6th October
Basic Bookkeeping
Book online

18th October
The Foodpreneur- 10 step recipe for success 
Book online

19th October
Social Media Bootcamp
Book online

19th October
How to use Snapchat to boost your business 
Book online
Would you like your business to become more sustainable and make cost effective savings? 
Greenbusiness.ie have developed a tool which provides quick and useful feedback on what you can do to make your business more efficient and reduce costs. 
Find out more here.
Online Resources- Making it easier to do business 
Revenue Online Services (ROS)- See Revenue's electronically delivered services on ROS. 

Consumer law guidance- Guidance on consumer law for businesses. 

FSAI guide to food legislation- Reference and guides to food legislation by the Food Safety Authority. 

NSAI SME Portal- See the National Standards Authority of Ireland's dedicated SME portal. 

HSA BeSMART- Fast and easy ways to develop your own risk and safety assessment. 

Supporting SMEs Portal- A useful tool to find out what government supports your business may be eligible for. 

 
The next Laois Enterprising Women's Network meeting takes place on 28th September at 6.30pm in The Killeshin Hotel. This will feature a workshop on developing low cost PR techniques. Contact Honor Deevy on hdeevy@laoiscoco.ie for more info. 
Microfinance Loans
Contact us to discuss how LEO Laois and Microfinance Ireland may be able to help your business. Apply through us and avail of a 1% discount on standard lending rate and get free business mentoring.
Local Enterprise Office
Portlaoise Enterprise Centre
Clonminam Business Park 
Portlaoise
Co. Laois 
Tel: 057 866 1800
Email: localenterprise@laoiscoco.ie
www,localenterprise.ie/laois
                                                     
Opening Hours:
Mon-Thurs: 9:00-5.30pm
Friday: 9.00-5.00pm
1-2pm: Closed 
Saturday-Sunday: Closed






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Local Enterprise Office Laois · Business Support Unit · Laois County Council · Portlaoise, Co. Laois · Ireland