Local Enterprise Village to give budding entrepreneurs start-up shot

The Local Enterprise Village, as part of this year’s National Ploughing Championships, wants to find the next Irish start-up success story. The Village, an initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices, will be open at the Championships, which will be taking place in Screggan, County Offaly from the 15th-17th September.

The Local Enterprise Village will house 31 Local Enterprise Office supported small businesses from across the country that showcase the very best of Irish enterprise from clothing craft and artisanal food to bovine genetics and woodwork machinery.

Pictured at the launch of the 2026 Local Enterprise Village, an initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices, which will be on site at the National Ploughing Championships showcasing some of the very best small businesses from across the country.

placeholder image — Pictured at the launch of the 2026 Local Enterprise Village, an initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices, which will be on site at the National Ploughing Championships showcasing some of the very best small businesses from across the country.

This year the Local Enterprise Village will also have a Business Advice Hub for any budding entrepreneurs or existing businesses who want to get advice from the Local Enterprise Offices Specialist Business Advisors. So, for anyone who has a business idea that wants to figure out how to get it off the ground or for someone with an existing business who may want advice on funding, sustainability or building digital and AI into their business there will be advisors on hand to meet with.

The Local Enterprise Village will again host the Google AI team this year following on from the success of the Google area in 2025. Their experts will also be in the Local Enterprise Village with an interactive area focused making AI work for you and your business.

The Local Enterprise Village will feature a diverse range of Irish businesses, from clothing and craft to artisanal food, bovine genetics and machinery.

With close to 300,000 visitors expected across the three days of the event the Local Enterprise Village provides these small businesses with significant exposure to new audiences and potential new customers. Enterprise Europe Network will also be based in the Village for the first time, giving advice to businesses who want to begin looking at new markets across the EU.

For Mike Cantwell, Chair of the Local Enterprise Village Committee and Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office Limerick, the Local Enterprise Village is three days of opportunity for both the businesses in the Village and those who want to tap into some expert advice during the Championships.

“The opening of the Local Enterprise Village at the National Ploughing Championships is always one of the highlights of the year for the small businesses we support. With almost 300,000 visitors attending over the three days, it provides an unrivalled opportunity for exhibitors to showcase their products, reach new customers and grow their businesses,” Cantwell said.

“In the lead-up to the event, Local Enterprise Offices across the country work closely with participating businesses to help them make the most of this opportunity. From sales and marketing support and AI training to merchandising and social media promotion, our focus is on ensuring each exhibitor is fully prepared to maximise their presence at Ireland’s largest outdoor event.

The Local Enterprise Village will give small businesses the opportunity to showcase their products and services to the thousands of visitors expected at the National Ploughing Championships.

“This year, visitors to the Local Enterprise Village will also have access to specialist business advisors throughout the three days. Whether you are running a business, considering a new venture, or simply exploring an idea, our experts will be available for prebooked, one-to-one consultations and practical advice. We are also delighted to welcome Google back to the Village, where visitors can experience interactive demonstrations of Gemini and discover how AI can support both business growth and everyday life.

He finished by saying; The Local Enterprise Village will once again showcase some of the very best small businesses from every corner of the country. From award-winning artisan food and drink producers to craft, design and manufacturing businesses, visitors will discover a diverse range of innovative products and services in areas such as skin cancer prevention and emergency incident response. Whether you're looking for something unique, practical or inspiring, there truly is something for everyone.”

Anna May McHugh, Managing Director of the National Ploughing Association, said: “The Local Enterprise Village is such a valuable part of the Ploughing, giving small Irish businesses from across the country the opportunity to showcase what they do to the huge crowds that attend each year. We are delighted to welcome the 31 businesses selected this year and it’s great to see them have the opportunity to reach new customers and showcase their products & services to such a large audience.

It’s great to welcome Google back for a second year, alongside the Local Enterprise Offices who will be on hand offering advice and support. It's great to see such valuable supports available to small businesses and budding entrepreneurs.”

Entrepreneurs and existing businesses can meet Local Enterprise Office specialist advisors at the Business Advice Hub for guidance on funding, sustainability, digitalisation and AI.

The Local Enterprise Village is just one of a number of initiatives that the Local Enterprise Offices run, to foster entrepreneurship across the country. Others include Local Enterprise Week, the National Enterprise Awards, the Student Enterprise Programme, National Women’s Enterprise Day and Local Enterprise Showcase. The Local Enterprise Offices in local authorities are funded by the Government of Ireland through Enterprise Ireland. Established in 2014, the Local Enterprise Offices are the essential resource for any entrepreneur looking to start a business or any small business that is looking for support or advice to help them grow. Since their inception twelve years ago, the Local Enterprise Offices have helped create over 80,000 jobs across the country. The LEOs work with thousands of client companies across Ireland in a diverse range of sectors offering mentoring, training, expert advice and financial supports to small businesses. For more information see www.LocalEnterprise.ie.