A small business from Greystones, Wicklow, will showcase its offerings to nearly 300,000 attendees at the National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, County Offaly, this month as part of the Local Enterprise Village.
Aartha Organics is an Irish skincare brand founded by Ana Maria Preda and supported by the Local Enterprise Office Wicklow. Ana Maria is passionate about creating clean, sustainable and effective skincare products. More than just a skincare line, Aartha Organics aims to raise awareness about the hidden dangers of conventional cosmetics. Inspired by nature, every product is crafted in small batches in Greystones, Co. Wicklow, using certified organic ingredients and eco-friendly practices.
The Local Enterprise Village, an initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices, will house 30 small businesses from across the country and will be located at the heart of this year's National Ploughing Championships in Offaly from 16th to 18th September.
This year, the Local Enterprise Offices are partnering with Google to enhance the offerings within the Local Enterprise Village. Google will have its own area within the village, where it will host talks and demonstrations aimed at small businesses and entrepreneurs looking to improve their business by utilising digital tools and AI.
The Local Enterprise Village was launched by Niamh Smyth, T.D., Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation, at an event hosted by Google.
Niamh Smyth, T.D., Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation said, “This partnership between the Local Enterprise Offices and Google for the Ploughing Championships is an extremely positive development for the Local Enterprise Village at this year’s event. It will give small business owners both exhibiting and visiting the Ploughing the chance to tap into Google’s expertise in the areas of digitisation and AI in how they can significantly impact their business.
“I’m looking forward to visiting the Local Enterprise Village in September at the Ploughing Championships and meeting the array of creative businesses that will be there, seeing first-hand how they can benefit from this partnership with Google.”
Every year, some of the largest companies and organisations in Ireland set up at the Ploughing Championships, making the Local Enterprise Village a popular destination for visitors looking to find unique items from some of the best small businesses in the country.
The Local Enterprise Village will showcase the finest Irish entrepreneurship, featuring businesses from various sectors, including natural skincare, organic soy candles, sustainable fashion and eco-friendly 3D printed sensory toys.
Ahead of the event, Ana Maria Preda, founder of Aartha Organics, stated, “Participating in the Local Enterprise Village at the Ploughing Championships is an incredible opportunity for me as a small business. It gives Aartha Organics the chance to share our products and story with a large audience, which wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the Local Enterprise Office. From mentoring to practical advice, LEO has been instrumental in helping me grow my business and prepare for this event.”
Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr. Melanie Corrigan, commented, “It is fantastic to see a Wicklow business on such a prestigious national stage. The Ploughing Championships are not only about tradition and community but also about opportunity and growth. Aartha Organics embodies these values with their inspiring journey, and we are proud to have Wicklow represented in the Local Enterprise Village. I have no doubt they will do us proud.”
Emer O’Gorman, Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, said, “Small businesses like Aartha Organics are the backbone of our economy here in Wicklow, bringing innovation, creativity and sustainable practices into the marketplace. Their inclusion in the Local Enterprise Village highlights the incredible talent and entrepreneurship we are fostering in the county. We wish them every success at this year’s Ploughing Championships.”
Head of Enterprise at the Local Enterprise Office, Wicklow, Vibeke Delahunt, expressed, “This is an incredible opportunity for Aartha Organics and for all the small businesses involved. The Local Enterprise Village has grown into one of the must-visit areas of the Ploughing, and it’s inspiring to see a Wicklow company with such a strong ethos of sustainability and innovation participating. It’s also fantastic to see Aartha Organics featured on Ireland AM, showcasing Wicklow enterprise on a national stage ahead of the event. With Google joining as a partner this year, businesses will gain valuable insights into using digital tools and AI to grow and compete. We’re proud to support Aartha Organics as they showcase their products and represent Wicklow to nearly 300,000 visitors.”
Anna May McHugh, Managing Director of the National Ploughing Association, remarked, “The Local Enterprise Village is such a valuable part of the Ploughing, and we are privileged to be involved in the journey of these small Irish businesses as they develop in the marketplace. Anything the NPA can do to showcase SMEs is massively important to us, and we look forward to welcoming Google this year as part of the Local Enterprise Village, offering digital and AI advice. It’s an exciting opportunity to provide small businesses and entrepreneurs with the tools to succeed.”
Cera Ward, Managing Director of Google Ireland, added, “Small businesses are at the heart of our economy, driving innovation, growth and creating jobs in communities across Ireland. This is especially true in rural areas, where these businesses are vital to local prosperity. At Google, we’ve always believed in the power of digital to help businesses thrive and we're proud to partner with the Local Enterprise Offices as part of the Local Enterprise Village initiative.
This year, our focus is on how digital and AI tools are revolutionising business growth. We’ll be on-site to demonstrate how smarter search tools and powerful AI can help businesses reach new customers, streamline operations and compete effectively on a global scale. We understand that time is a business owner's most valuable asset and we're excited to show how the right digital strategy can boost productivity and give them more time back. We look forward to meeting with business owners and demonstrating how to turn ambition into real growth.”
The Local Enterprise Village is just one of several initiatives run by the Local Enterprise Offices to foster entrepreneurship across the country. Others include Local Enterprise Week, the National Enterprise Awards, the Student Enterprise Programme, National Women’s Enterprise Day, and the Local Enterprise Showcase.
Established in 2014, the Local Enterprise Offices are the essential resource for any entrepreneur looking to start a business or any small business that is looking for support or advice to help them grow. Since their inception in 2014, the Local Enterprise Offices have helped create over 80,000 jobs across the country. The LEOs work with thousands of client companies across Ireland in a diverse range of sectors offering mentoring, training, expert advice and financial support to small businesses.
For further information, please visit www.LocalEnterprise.ie or email to Local Enterprise Office Wicklow - enterprise@leo.wicklowcoco.ie