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Assistance
WEST CORK ENTERPRISE BOARD

8 Kent Street, Clonakilty, Co Cork

T: (023) 34700
F: (023) 34702
E: enterprise@wceb.ie
W: www.wceb.ie
Contact: Michael Hanley, CEO

Categories: Debt; E-Business; Equity; Grants; Information; Mentoring; Start-up Training; Training

The West Cork Enterprise Board is a state agency responsible for enterprise development in the West Cork area. It aims to promote the development of micro-enterprise in West Cork by creating an enterprise culture, providing advice, management training and mentoring services for business development, and by providing financial assistance in the form of refundable aid and capital grants, employment grants and assitance towards innovative feasibility studies.

The Board offers a range of training supports for your business, including small business management seminars and courses, web design & ecommerce, women in business management development programme, management capability building programmes, monthly topical seminars, PLATO management network, small business mentor programme, SAGE & accounts and many more aimed at business at the start-up stage or established businesses.

The County & City Enterprise Boards have four types of financial incentives available:

  • Feasibility Study Grant (BMW region: maximum €6,350; South and East region: maximum €5,100).
  • Capital (/Refundable Capital) Grant up to €75,000.
  • Employment (/Refundable Employment) Grant up to €7,500 per new employee up to 10 employees. The employment grant may also apply to a person starting up his/her own business.
  • Equity Finance – up to €75,000 can be invested in qualifying limited companies in the form of Preference Share Investment.

The County & City Enterprise Boards provide a full Information and Advisory service to new and existing entrepreneurs on all aspects of setting up and running a business.

The Boards operate in their own areas as a “single point of contact and referral service” for all State agencies and organisations, providing information on enterprise incentives, business structures, taxation, regulatory obligations, workspace availability, market research, upskilling opportunities, business and strategic planning etc. Most Boards have available extensive libraries and information centres, which are at the disposal of clients.