SME engagement with the Hub exceeded targets, said Enterprise Ireland head of start-ups.
More than 6,500 small and medium enterprises received direct support from the National Enterprise Hub (NEH) in the 12 months since it was first established.
The NEH, an initiative from the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and operated by Enterprise Ireland brings together resources from more than 250 Government supports from 30 departments and state agencies.
It is accessible through an online portal and via phone and live chat. The NEH was launched back in July 2024.
In its first year, it attracted more than 220,000 online users, as well as several through the phone, connecting small business owners with advisors who discussed potential grant options as well as funding and loans.
Tourism, hospitality, retail, consumer products, professional services and construction were some of the top sectors supported by the Hub over the past year.
Through its advise, businesses were able to avail support from Enterprise Ireland’s Pre-Seed Start-Up fund, New Frontiers Programme, Innovation Vouchers, as well as Local Enterprise Office’s energy efficiency grants, Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland’s exceed grant scheme and mentoring from Skillnet Ireland among others.
Other supports included wage and job subsidy programmes from the Department of Social Protection and start-up loans from Microfinance Ireland. A majority of the supports availed range in value from €3,000 to €7,000, said Enterprise Ireland.
“With over 6,500 companies engaging in its first 12 months, the National Enterprise Hub has proven effective in streamlining and simplifying access for SMEs to government supports, equipping them with vital digital and sustainability resources to navigate rising costs and stay competitive,” said Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD.
“My focus now with the NEH is on reducing administrative burdens and red tape for businesses by consolidating multiple grant applications into a single, simplified process.”
Conor O’Donovan, head of start-ups at Enterprise Ireland, said: “SME engagement with the National Enterprise Hub has met and exceeded our targets to date, supporting 6,500 businesses within our first year of operation.
“One of the main aims of the Hub was to engage with businesses who haven’t availed of government supports to date and to make the process of availing of government supports faster and easier.”
“It’s for every business in the country and we’d encourage every business to go online to neh.gov.ie or pick up the phone and start the conversation around your business needs today.”
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