Bank of Ireland recently hosted the first National Enterprise Week in Ireland. It was launched to make both new and existing small businesses aware of the support, advice and information that is readily available to assist them and to provide the country’s SMEs with opportunities to connect with each other. Throughout the week, Bank of Ireland held over 120 events across the country.

The week also coincided with European SME week, which aims to inspire entrepreneurship with information, advice and support.

National Enterprise Week - for all businesses
At many of the events, guest speakers were on hand to give valuable and insightful advice across a range of topics. Seán Gallagher and Bobby Kerr, two of the dragons from RTÉ's Dragons' Den were speakers at events in Galway and Dublin.

The week’s events ranged from in-branch business seminars to the more innovative open air farmers’ markets. Some the things that took place around the country included:

Midleton, Cork - An enterprise evening focussed on 'Getting Started and the Challenges and Successes Along the Way'. Cork entrepreneur Colum Sully, from Cully and Sully, was on hand to discuss his experiences, and give advice on how to start up and grow a business by harnessing market opportunities

Blanchardstown, Dublin - An evening event focussed on expanding business online and the potential for online sales and marketing - an experienced online business consultant from eBay was there to take people through the many benefits of expanding online.

Newbridge, Enniscorthy and Wicklow – A number of seminars were held on expanding your business to international markets. College Green and Baggot Street in Dublin -The Irish Farmers Markets set up their stalls at College Green. An estimated €40,000 spent over the course of the day as traders sold their wares on this historic site.

Galway Business Advice Show - The second of our Business Advice Shows took place on the 12th May in the Ardilaun Hotel in Galway. This event provided entrepreneurs from local communities across the west with an opportunity to network and to showcase their businesses. Seán Gallagher from RTÉ's Dragons' Den spoke and was joined by expert business coach Paul Fagan of ActionCOACH.

At this event the second round of the Bright Ideas Challenge was held where local entrepreneurs competed for a prize for ‘Best Business Start-up Idea’ facing a panel of judges in front of a live audience. The winner was Eventovate, run by Jason and Johnathan Ruane, a software company providing innovative solutions in event management.

Read about the winners of the Dublin heat, Asimili8 . There are two more Business Advice Shows to come in 2009, with Cork in September and Waterford in October.

A nationwide success National Enterprise Week proved that the entrepreneurial spirit for which we are famed is truly alive and well. Bank of Ireland is committed to fostering and facilitating business start-ups and innovation across Ireland and similar events will be held over the coming months.

For more information, log on to www.boi.ie/nationalentepriseweek