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Carlow Local Enterprise Office Launches HUB GROW 2026 Programme

Wednesday, 27 May 2026 12:26

The programme will be delivered in Station House, Hacketstown.

Carlow County Council’s Local Enterprise Office, in partnership with South East Technological University (SETU), is encouraging businesses across the county to participate in the Hub Grow 2026 programme, a targeted initiative designed to help companies strengthen innovation, improve competitiveness, and unlock new growth opportunities.

The programme will be delivered in Station House, Hacketstown, providing a highly accessible location for businesses, particularly those based in the north of the county. Hub Grow will commence on Tuesday 16th June and each of the 4 weekly sessions will run from 8:00-10:00am. It is aimed at small and growing enterprises seeking to enhance their capacity to innovate, adopt new practices, and scale sustainably.

Hub Grow combines expert-led workshops, peer learning, and practical tools that enable businesses to develop structured approaches to innovation. Participants will benefit from direct engagement with experienced facilitators and the applied research expertise of SETU.

Speaking at the launch, Cllr. Ken Murnane, Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council, highlighted the importance of making such supports accessible: “We are delighted to see this programme being delivered in Station House, Hacketstown. This location makes Hub Grow very accessible to businesses in the north of the county and ensures that companies across Carlow can fully engage with the supports available to them. Initiatives like this are vital in strengthening our local enterprise base.”

Brian Ogilvie Head of Entrepreneurship and Rural Engagement at SETU added "By combining industry insight with applied research expertise, programmes like Hub Grow can deliver meaningful impact for businesses across the region. The Hub Grow program at Hacketstown will give businesses who attend a real insight into the practical supports SETU and its partners at Carlow’s Local Enterprise Office can offer when they are seeking to develop a new product, process or service."

The programme reflects the Local Enterprise Office’s ongoing commitment to supporting innovation-led growth in the SME sector. It also demonstrates a strong collaborative approach between local government and higher education to deliver practical supports to businesses on the ground.

Séamus Doran, Assistant Head of Economic Development & Enterprise at Carlow County Council’s Local Enterprise Office, emphasised the importance of innovation for business resilience and competitiveness: “Innovation is critical for businesses of all sizes if they are to remain competitive in an increasingly fast-changing environment. The ability to adapt, rethink processes, and develop new products or services is key to future success. Delivering this programme in partnership with South East Technological University opens new opportunities for local businesses to innovate, drawing on academic expertise and practical supports that can make a real difference.” 

Businesses participating in Hub Grow will:

  • Gain structured frameworks for innovation and business improvement

  • Learn from experienced mentors and industry experts

  • Connect with other entrepreneurs facing similar challenges

  • Develop actionable plans to drive growth and resilience

The Local Enterprise Office is encouraging small and medium-sized enterprises across Carlow to take advantage of this opportunity and secure a place on the programme.

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