Free ‘Back for Business’ programme seeking applications from Louth

Applications are now open for the latest cycle of a free government programme that helps returned or returning emigrants start and develop businesses in Ireland.

Funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Back for Business was created to foster and support entrepreneurial activity among emigrants returning to live in Ireland.

Back for Business is for those who have returned — or are considering returning — to Ireland and plan to start a business here. This is the seventh year of the programme and there are up to 50 places available. 

Applications are invited from those who have recently returned to Louth or are still living abroad but thinking of returning to Co Louth in the near future. 

Back for Business 7 will run from February to June 2024. There is no charge for those selected to participate and the closing date for submitting completed applications is 5pm on Monday 15 January 2024. Those interested can register their interest in receiving an application form on www.backforbusiness.com. 

Back for Business is aimed at those who have lived abroad for at least a year and have returned in the last three years or those planning to return soon. It addresses challenges that all early-stage entrepreneurs encounter, but also focuses on the additional barriers faced by those who have been living outside Ireland for some years. 

Participants on last year’s programme increased their combined workforce by 17 employees and those that were trading almost tripled their combined turnover from €632,000 to €1.7 million. 

Early stage entrepreneurs who have started a business in the last three years or who are about to start a business are being sought. Strong preference will be given to those who have returned to Ireland and who expect to become an employer of others within three years. There is no restriction on the sector in which the new business is focused.  

Those selected to join Back for Business 7 will take part in round table sessions, focused on goals and milestones, which are facilitated by voluntary Lead Entrepreneurs who have experience of successfully starting and growing a business. 

This year’s Lead Entrepreneurs are serial entrepreneurs Hannah Wrixon and Paul Coyle; Morgan Browne, CEO of Milner Browne and Enterpryze; Paul Duggan of The Gardiner Group; Seamus Reilly, co-founder and formerly of Critical Healthcare; and Thomas Ennis, founder of the Thomas Ennis Group.

Former participants from Louth include Aoife Finnegan and Jennifer Provan. Having experienced at first hand the benefits of participation in Back for Business, they encourage others to apply for the programme.

Aoife Finnegan, Curio PR, found the Back for Business programme gave her a laser-focus on her business, while the participants became friends and a source of support for each other.

“It was fantastic, such a great programme to be part of. Our Lead Entrepreneur, Hannah Wrixon, wasn’t afraid to ask the hard questions that working on your own you might sidestep. She would really make you focus on all aspects of your business and address things that you might not be good at,” she says. 

Jennifer Provan, owner and Director of Kitchenetta Catering, says Back for Business was an amazing experience. “It was very collaborative and very supportive. We gleaned a lot of knowledge from each other and our Lead Entrepreneur, a lot of which we’ve gone on to use,” she says.

“I would highly recommend it. I really enjoyed every minute of it, and I know that all of my group did as well, and we’re all very much in touch since and still supporting each other. It’s been seriously advantageous.”

Seán Fleming, TD, Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs with responsibility for International Development and Diaspora said: 

“Since 2018, Back for Business has helped large numbers of returning emigrants to seed and nurture their business ideas. I would encourage people with a business idea who might be thinking of coming home – or have returned recently - to apply for selection.”

Back for Business has been designed and is being implemented by Fitzsimons Consulting, specialists in areas related to entrepreneurship and growth. 

The deadline for submitting completed applications for Back to Business is 5pm on Monday, January 15th, 2024. 

For more information or to register your interest in receiving an application form, please see www.backforbusiness.com