Wave Dynamics Acoustics was established in Wexford in 2022 by directors James Cousins and Sean Rocks. The business provides design, engineering and consultancy for building acoustics, planning, environmental noise, industrial noise and vibration, working across sectors from hospitality to renewable energy. “Anything that makes noise or is impacted by noise,” explains Rocks.
It wasn’t until their second year in business that they got in touch with their Local Enterprise Office (LEO). “We were so busy trying to get on our feet with just the two of us. But as jobs started coming in we started to need more equipment and more staff,” says Rocks.
Grant assistance from LEO Wexford helped them do just that. Today, just two years on from that initial contact, Wave Dynamics employs eight people; has offices in Wexford, Dublin, Cork and London; and a fast-growing customer base.
“Getting that support from the LEO accelerated our progress,” says Rocks.
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It’s a good example of the impact the right support at the right time can have. The 31 LEOs, which are based in local authorities, are the first port of call for anyone thinking of starting a business or growing an existing one.
Since they were established in 2014 their offering has been expanded. Initially supporting only microenterprises employing fewer than 10 people, since 2022 they have also supported businesses employing up to 50 people.
As a result, more businesses can now avail of initiatives such as LEO Priming and Business Expansion Grants which are worth up to €150,000.
A large part of the success of Ireland’s SME support ecosystem is the speed at which it adapts. For example, when challenges ranging from Brexit to Covid emerged, agencies such as the LEOs, Enterprise Ireland and Bord Bia, which supports small food start-ups, were quick to provide tailored supports.
This includes soft supports such as training, as well as mentoring from an extensive panel of seasoned entrepreneurs.
Right now business development agencies are helping SMEs to keep abreast of technological advances, with LEO Grow Digital Vouchers providing funding of up to €5,000 which can be used to invest in software and IT.
A Green For Business programme helps businesses become more sustainable as well as cost efficient. Both include the services of an expert consultant who will audit operations to see where improvements can be made.
In an example of how cohesive the support ecosystem can be, those that come through the Green for Business programme can then apply for an Energy Efficiency Grant, worth up to €10,000, towards the cost of investing in new energy-saving equipment or technology.
Last year saw the launch of the National Enterprise Hub. It provides SMEs with access to more than 180 government-backed supports across 19 department and agencies. These include everything from Teagasc and Skillnet Ireland to Fáilte Ireland, Micro Finance Ireland and Design & Crafts Council Ireland.
It can be accessed at neh.gov.ie, by phone or via live chat, making it easier for business owners to avail of grants, funding and loans, and, it is hoped, will attract engagement from small businesses that have yet to avail of, or may not be aware of, government supports.
Given that SMEs account for 99.8 per cent of all businesses in Ireland, employing more than two thirds of the State’s workforce, that matters.
Speaking at its launch, Conor O’Donovan, head of the National Enterprise Hub, said “running a business isn’t easy, but accessing government supports should be”.
But it isn’t just public sector supports that can help SMEs. There are private-sector initiatives too. For example, Social Entrepreneurs Ireland is a privately funded not-for-profit organisation that supports people with innovative ideas to tackle Ireland’s social problems, while Bank of Ireland’s Think Business website and independent sites such as Startups.ie provide advice across a range of areas.
Telecoms provider Three Ireland partners with small business community Enterprise Nation to deliver a grant programme worth €100,000, in which 10 successful applicants each receive a €5,000 cash grant plus €5,000 worth of Three solutions and products. Since its launch in 2021 it has helped support a range of start-ups, from makers of surf fins to developers of customisable gaming controllers.
The Three Small Business Award comes with workshops and mentoring assistance, as well as kit that can include everything from 5G broadband to latest generation smartphones with cameras perfect for social-media marketing.
More than that, in many cases winning the award is a catalyst for further success for the business, often helping it to secure new customers or investors.
For start-ups in particular just that sense of third-party validation alone can be of enormous value. “It’s the vote of confidence that can give you the ability to keep going, keep moving forward,” says Padraig Sheerin, head of SME at Three Ireland.
