Laois Local Enterprise Office - The right support at the right time

Based in Portarlington, O’Mimo’s commenced their exciting chilli venture in March 2020, much to the delight of all discerning chilli afficionados.

Their homemade fresh Chilli Sauces and tantalising Apple Chilli Sage Jam are made in small batches with premium local ingredients.

The O’Mimos range aims to bring excitement and a new food sensation to the market. These delicious, bold, and flavourful sauces are ideal for those who love food adventure and flavourful explosions.

Since January 2024, the promoters, Seamus & Mimo, have increased their daily production from 300 to 3,000 jars a day.

What was envisioned as a small venture has now become a micro enterprise with the potential to go national and international in the near future, none of which would have been possible without the support of Laois County Council, Leader and the Local Enterprise Office.

“The Local Enterprise Office has been a huge help to us. We would not be here today without their ongoing support. We started with ‘The Start Your Own Business Course’ and then onto the Food Academy with the additional support of Bord Bia and Super Valu.

“We were also able to avail of the Priming Grant and the Trading Online Voucher. We attended many training courses in social media, sustainability, marketing and HACCP and availed of mentors in Finance, IT, Social Media and Marketing.

We found the support from the Local Enterprise office immeasurable and will continue to avail of their ongoing supports and services into the future”.

O’Mimo’s is a multi-award winning micro enterprise based in Co. Laois and can be found on Instagram, YouTube and Facebook. 

Local Enterprise Office Laois (LEO Laois) provides a range of financial supports designed to assist with the establishment and/or growth of enterprises (limited company, individuals/sole trader, and partnerships) employing up to ten people. 

Priority will be given to businesses in manufacturing, internationally traded services, and domestically traded services with the potential to trade internationally.  In some cases, depending on certain eligibility criteria, businesses with 10 employees or more may be eligible.

Financial supports include Feasibility Study Grants; Priming Grants; Expansion Grants; Technical Assistance for Micro Exporters (TAME) and Trading Online Vouchers Every business is different, but each can benefit from the right support at the right time.

For example, for businesses looking to develop their online presence, websites and digital marketing strategies, the Trading Online Voucher offers financial assistance of a maximum of €2,500 or 50% of eligible costs (net of VAT) whichever is lesser.

Vouchers can be used for:

• IT consultation
• Development or upgrade of an e-commerce website
• Implementing online payments or booking systems
• Purchase of internet related software
• Purchase of online advertising (this purchase cannot make up any more than 30% of approved Voucher costs and can only be drawn down in one payment phase)
• Developing an app (or multiplatform webpages)
• Implementing a digital marketing strategy i.e., Social media marketing
• Consultation with ICT experts for early-stage adopters of online strategy
• Training/skills development specifically to establish and manage an online trading activity.

For businesses looking to develop overseas markets, the Technical Assistance for Micro Exporters’ Grant (TAME) will enable clients to explore and develop new market opportunities.

This grant will part-fund the costs that can be incurred in investigating and researching export markets, e.g. exhibiting at Trade Fairs, preparing marketing material and developing websites specifically targeting overseas markets.

This grant covers 50% of eligible costs (net of vat) to a max of €2,500 in any calendar year.

For more information or to check if your business is eligible for any of our financial supports, please contact us at Local Enterprise Office Laois on 057 86 61800 or email localenterprise@laoiscoco.ie.

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