Final chance for returning emigrants to apply for free Back for Business programme

Returned or returning emigrants who are starting or developing a business have until this Thursday to apply for a free government programme that will provide them with expert mentorship and business support for six months.

This is the eighth year of the Back for Business programme and there are up to 50 places available to support emigrant entrepreneurs who have returned to Ireland – or are planning to do so soon.

Back for Business 8 will run from February to June 2025 and will start with a Launch Forum on February 11th. There is no charge for those selected to participate and the closing date for applications is Thursday 16 January 2025.

The development programme, which is funded by the Irish Abroad Unit in the Department of Foreign Affairs, was created to foster and support entrepreneurial activity among Irish emigrants returning to live in Ireland.

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 in the near future. 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 grew their combined workforce by 33 employees and had a fourfold increase in their combined turnover from less than €300,000 at the start of the cycle to €1.2 million.

Those selected to join Back for Business 8 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 entrepreneur Hannah Wrixon; Morgan Browne, founder and CEO of Milner Browne and Enterpryze; Paul Duggan of The Gardiner Group and Athrú Insights; Seamus Reilly, co-founder and formerly of Critical Healthcare; Sinead Doherty, founder and CEO of Fenero; and Thomas Ennis, founder of the Thomas Ennis Group.

Lead Entrepreneur Thomas Ennis said:

“I was lucky enough to receive excellent mentoring when I was starting out and it made all the difference. It is great to be in a position to give back and to support those at the start of their entrepreneurial journey.”

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

The deadline for completed applications for Back for Business is 5pm on Thursday 16 January 2025. For more information or to register your interest in receiving an application form, please see www.backforbusiness.com

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