Winners at this year’s Local Enterprise Awards. Front (from left): Vincent Walsh. Evaluation Committee, LEO Cavan; Barbara Brennan, MD, Mental Health Matters; Conor Craven, Head of Enterprise, LEO Cavan; Sandra Thompson, I/O Agri; then Cathaoirleach, Cllr John Paul Feeley; Shane O’Reilly, I/O Agri; Eoin Doyle, Chief Executive, Cavan County Council; Monica and Colin Courtney, Diesel Engineering Services; back, Nikki McGoohan and Ann Rahill, Evaluation Committee; Ciara Gorman, Enterprise Ireland; Cllr Niamh Brady, Paddy Connaughton, Director of Service, Cavan County Council; Cllr Winston Bennett, Cllr Carmel Brady, Cllr Clifford Kelly, Cllr Niall Smith, Cllr Noel Connell, Gillian Madden, LEO Cavan; with John Potter & Thomas Coyle, Quotesforit.

Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Cavan: Making it happen for your business

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A MESSAGE FROM OUR PARTNERS

For anyone looking to start, grow or develop a business in Cavan, the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Cavan provides a comprehensive information and advisory service covering the many aspects of establishing, running and developing an enterprise.

LEO Cavan aims to promote entrepreneurship, encourage business start-ups and support existing micro and small businesses, with the wider objective of driving job creation and economic development across the county.

As a “first stop shop” for new and existing businesses, LEO Cavan provides information, advice and access to a range of supports, while also acting as an information source and referral point for the wider network of State enterprise agencies.

According to Conor Craven, Head of Enterprise at LEO Cavan, the office can provide businesses with support in areas including business information and advice, skills training, mentoring, financial assistance and management development.

Training

LEO Cavan offers a suite of training programmes tailored to the needs of small businesses, covering areas such as starting a business, digital marketing, finance and sales.

Mr Craven said two of the key trends currently affecting small businesses in Ireland are the “twin transition” towards greater sustainability and digitalisation.

Green for Business

Through the Green for Business programme, eligible businesses can receive free support to assess their environmental impact and work with a mentor to develop a plan to reduce that impact.

The programme is designed to help businesses identify practical measures, which can improve environmental performance while also potentially reducing costs and increasing efficiency.

Energy Efficiency Grant

Businesses can also avail of Energy Efficiency Grants of up to €10,000.

The support is designed to assist eligible businesses in investing in measures that can improve energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption.

Market Explorer Grant

For businesses looking beyond the domestic market, the Market Explorer Grant provides support for first-time and small-scale exporters undertaking essential market research and developing viable and sustainable strategies for entering new geographic markets.

The grant can provide funding of up to €10,000 or 50% of eligible costs.

Eligible expenditure can include participation in exhibitions and trade fairs, as well as associated travel and subsistence costs.

Digital for Business

Digital for Business is another initiative aimed at helping Cavan businesses strengthen their use of technology and gain a competitive advantage.

Through the programme, expert digital consultants assess existing digital systems, identify potential gaps and explore opportunities to improve operations through new or enhanced digital solutions.

Businesses can receive guidance on the implementation of digital technologies and on how existing systems can be integrated with new solutions.

Mr Craven said digitalisation is becoming increasingly important for small businesses seeking to improve productivity, streamline operations and remain competitive.

Grow Digital Voucher

The Grow Digital Voucher provides small and medium-sized businesses employing up to 50 people with financial support to adopt digital technology.

A Digital for Business project report must have been completed within the previous two years.

Funding of up to €5,000 can be used towards software, training and IT configuration, helping businesses to improve efficiency, reach new customers and strengthen their digital presence.

Financial Supports

LEO Cavan provides a range of financial supports for eligible enterprises in manufacturing and internationally tradeable services, generally employing 10 people or fewer and demonstrating export potential.

Supports include feasibility, priming and business expansion grants, providing assistance at different stages of a business's development.

Enterprise Initiatives

LEO Cavan also works with key stakeholders across the county to encourage and promote enterprise.

The office supports the organisation and delivery of national initiatives including Local Enterprise Week, the Local Enterprise Village at the National Ploughing Championships, National Women's Enterprise Day and the Student Enterprise Programme.

These initiatives provide opportunities for entrepreneurs, established businesses, students and those considering starting a business to engage with enterprise supports and networks.

Cavan Dublin Business Network

Established in September 2024, the Cavan Dublin Business Network has continued to grow, with the aim of creating closer connections between businesses in Cavan and businesses in Dublin with Cavan connections.

The network is run in partnership with Neil Phair of Phair & Co. Tax Advisors.

Network Support

LEO Cavan also supports a number of local business networks, helping to create connections between entrepreneurs and businesses across different sectors.

The Created in Cavan Network has more than 60 members, while the Cavan Craft Collective, established in 2025, has grown to 21 members.

LEO Cavan also continues to support the Cavan Women in Business Network, which has 76 members and is among the larger networks of its type in the country.

“Such networks play an important role in creating opportunities for businesses to share knowledge, make connections and support one another,” said Mr Craven.

Cavan Digital Hub

Cavan Digital Hub provides a regional growth platform for ambitious founders, start-ups and scaling businesses developing technology-led and innovative enterprises.

The hub extends beyond providing workspace, connecting founders with people, programmes and opportunities designed to help them develop and grow.

As a founder-led ecosystem connector, Cavan Digital Hub supports businesses from early-stage ideas through to growth and scale, providing guidance, connections and access to the wider enterprise ecosystem.

An initiative of Cavan County Council, the hub works closely with LEO Cavan and regional and national partners to help local businesses progress towards wider opportunities.

CONTACT US

Businesses interested in finding out more about grants and supports can contact LEO.

Visit the website www.localenterprise.ie/cavan or call 049-4377200.

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