Applications open for 'Back to Business' programme

Back for Business, the free government programme that helps returned emigrants start and develop businesses in Ireland, is now open to applications.

Now in its eighth cycle, the programme is seeking offers of interest from people who have recently returned to Mayo or are still living abroad but thinking of returning in the near future. 

Former participants from Mayo include Deborah Kilroy of Van Velze’s Luxury Chocolates which is a luxury chocolate gifting company that produces chocolate collections for all occasions and for corporate gifting. Their chocolate is made with local Connacht Gold cream, and they use only fine flavour chocolate.

Deborah says: “I am so happy that I signed up and was accepted to take part in the Back for Business programme. I met a brand new network of like-minded people with some of the same struggles that I unexpectantly came across by moving home. The confidence, joy and knowledge this programme gave me is a fantastic boost to the beginning of my Irish business life.”

Those eligible to apply include returned Irish emigrants who have lived abroad for at least a year and have returned to Ireland in the last three years, and emigrants currently living abroad who are planning to return to Ireland in the near future. 

The eighth cycle of the programme will run from February to June 2025 and there is no charge for those selected to participate. Up to 50 places will be available nationally. Eligible candidates have until Thursday, January 16, to submit their applications. Those interested can apply through www.backforbusiness.com. 

Funded by the Irish Abroad Unit, Department of Foreign Affairs, the programme was created to foster and support entrepreneurial activity among emigrants recently returned to Ireland.

Since launching in 2017, Back for Business has helped entrepreneurs who are returned emigrants to significantly grow sales and employment. It also addresses challenges that all early-stage entrepreneurs encounter, but also focuses on additional barriers faced by emigrants who have been living away from Ireland. 

Participants on the last cycle, Back for Business 7, quadrupled their collective turnover from €300,000 at the start of the programme to €1.2million at its conclusion. Their collective employee numbers also increased from 14 to 47 during the cycle. 

Eight participants 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.   

The eighth cycle’s Lead Entrepreneurs are: serial entrepreneur Hannah Wrixon; Morgan Browne, CEO of Milner Browne and Enterpryze; Paul Duggan of The Gardiner Group; 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.

The deadline for completed applications for Back to Business 8 is midnight on Thursday, January 16, 2025. For more information or to register your interest in receiving an application form, please see www.backforbusiness.com