Galway’s enterprise office supporting over 500 jobs
OVER 500 jobs have been created by businesses backed the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) in Galway.
New figures have revealed that between 2019 and 2025, businesses supported by LEO Galway in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors created 510 new jobs across the city and county.
Over the same period, 46 LEO Galway clients progressed to the Enterprise Ireland portfolio, reflecting their growth and export potential. In addition, 165 businesses received grant support worth almost €4 million.
LEO Galway conference
Many of the business to have benefited from LEO Galway support will discuss their journey at What Happens Next? – Galway Founders Conference, on Monday November 16 at Dexcom Stadium.
Among the guests will be Tuam's Ursula Kelly from Cormac Tagging, who will speak about how her company drew on LEO Galway support for over more than a decade.
“Often, the business stories we hear are the finished ones. We read about the funding round, the export deal, the awards,” explained Caroline McDonagh, Head of Enterprise at LEO Galway.
“Less common are the stories about the setbacks, the near misses, and the hard calls along the way, but that’s often where the real lessons are. Whatever stage your business is at, the support is there for what happens next.”
Guest speakers and panels
The conference, which runs from 9am to 1:30pm. Speakers on the day will discuss the setbacks, pivots, and hard decisions they faced as they grew their businesses.
A technology panel will look at early proof and lessons learned, while a life sciences panel will explore investment, hiring, and expansion.
Two In Conversation sessions, both titled What Happened Next?, will hear directly from founders about what came after their first breakthrough.
“Companies built in Galway are treating patients, making technology more accessible and serving customers around the world,” stated conference facilitator Dorothy Creaven.
“I’m looking forward to hearing directly from the founders about how they got there, from winning their first customers to making decisions that took the company further.
“For anyone building a company here, it’s a real chance to hear those stories properly and ask questions about their own next stage.”