Innovators and Entrepreneurs Gather at MERITS for Funding Innovation Event
23 May 2025: Last week, Kildare County Council’s Local Enterprise Office hosted a dynamic Funding Innovation Event, at MERITS (Mid-East Regional Innovation Thinkspace), in Naas. The event brought together entrepreneurs, start-ups and business leaders from across the mid-east region and beyond.
In collaboration with their colleagues in Carlow, Wicklow, Laois and Meath Enterprise Offices, the Local Enterprise Office, Kildare aimed to demystify the funding landscape for research and innovation-driven enterprises. Attendees engaged in insightful sessions covering a range of funding opportunities available to Local Enterprise Office clients, including the €150,000 RD&I Fund, Innovation Boost from Intertrade Ireland, supports to protect intellectual property.
The event featured expert panels and success stories from local business that have leveraged these funding mechanisms to drive growth and innovation. Representatives from Maynooth University, SETU Carlow and TU Dublin discussed how third level researchers can help businesses to develop products, ideas or overcome technical challenges through funding from a €10,000 Innovation Voucher..
The team from the Intellectual Property Office of Ireland was present to advise on trademarks, patents, and everything entrepreneurs need to know about protecting their innovations.
Jacqui Mc Nabb, Head of Enterprise, Economic Development and Tourism,Kildare County Council said: “Events like this are crucial to empowering our local businesses with the knowledge and resources they need to thrive. By bringing together key stakeholders like Enterprise Ireland, Intertrade Ireland, surrounding universities we are providing a platform for networking and learning. We aim to foster a vibrant entrepreneurial community in Kildare and beyond.”
For further information on upcoming events and funding opportunities, please visit Kildare Local Enterprise Office’s website www.localenterprise.ie/kildare
