communityenterprise.ie – Putting enterprise and people at the heart of the community

The Community Enterprise Association Ireland – CEAI – represents a network of 270+ Enterprise Ireland funded community enterprise centres, co-working locations and flexible working spaces across the Republic of Ireland.

As an established and respected voice of the sector, the organisation confidently represents your local enterprise centre / hub at government level so that all new strategies, policies and funding programmes take the needs and ambition of your community into account.

1800

businesses hosted in our 270+ locations nationwide

10000

co-working & incubation spaces in our member network

5500

jobs supported by CEAI members in the regions

€225m

approved by Enterprise Ireland for this sector since 1998

How Our Members Benefit

Connectivity & Collaboration

Networking, Mentoring, Training & Learning Programmes, Independent Advice & Guidance, Thought Leadership & Insights, Best in Class Research, Funding Information, Continuous Professional Development, and lots more.

Access this industry-leading content at any one of our 270+ member locations nationwide.

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Community Support

Immerse yourself in a nurturing and supportive community of innovators and entrepreneurs.

Align yourself with like-minded organisations and work together to make a real impact in your local community and the wider economy.

Work with us to ensure your voice is heard at national government level so all new government strategies, policies and funding programmes take the needs and ambition of your community into account.

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Practical Support

Membership of the Community Enterprise Association Ireland offers a multitude of benefits – including access to the following:

Community Platform for knowledge sharing and problem solving
Group Purchasing Schemes for valuable offers and discounts across a range of services
Members Directory so you can connect with your peers around the country

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What Our Members Say

“As a small rural enterprise center, membership of CEAI is crucial to the survival of our business. Having access to a large network of similar enterprises and models of best practice means we can follow and learn from their experiences. It’s also great comfort to have access to many supports if and when we need it.”

Peter Walsh
Centre Manager
Brookpark Business Centre, Dunmanway, Co.Cork

“CEAI has been a unique support structure and really helped us form appropriate responses to economic and market challenges as well as the day-to-day issues unique to an Enterprise Centre Manager. The active involvement and sharing of knowledge by both large and small entities provide a pool of knowledge to tap into, helps us build resilience to handle a myriad of challenges while providing real life role models to further develop sustainability and future expansion. CEAI has, I believe been the life blood of the community enterprise sector in enabling centres to not just stay on their feet but deliver numerous expansion projects. Their work in raising the profile of the sector over the last few years is phenomenal and has been instrumental I’ve no doubt, in additional supports and funding being made available through the stage agencies.”

Angela Tynan
Centre Manager
Nutgrove Enterprise Park, Dublin 14

“CEAI has quickly become our go to support partner for networking, project collaboration, and promotion of our members and our technology Centre. GTC are delighted to be part of your ambitious plans for the future and we look forward to further collaboration with CEAI as we scale our legacy with our Academy West expansion.”

Noreen Conway
Acting Manager
Galway Technology Centre (GTC)

“We have found the accumulated knowledge and experience of our fellow members of CEAI to be an invaluable network for advice, information and guidance in the complex management of our Enterprise Centre and its clients. As a lobby group, CEAI have successfully represented our interests at Ministerial level and beyond, putting us at the forefront of the ‘new working hub’ arrangement of the modern world. We would like to voice our appreciation of the officers and staff of the CEAI for their selfless dedication over the years.”

Ted Murray
CEO
Thompson Enterprise Centre, Clane Co.Kildare

“CEAI’s broad reach across the Irish Enterprise Centres and Hub Community has given Innovate Communities the opportunity to strengthen our business relationships and organisational awareness among this network and to develop valuable and supportive relationships with other members. However, being a member of CEAI offers us more than networking opportunities, it enables us to be part of a national framework and have a voice at national government level to influence relevant policies and funding opportunities. We have developed an exciting strategic plan for the next 5 years and look forward to the continued assistance and support of CEAI as we grow and expand.”

Annabelle Conway
Social Innovation Manager
Innovate Communities, Dublin

“The onset of Covid coincided with a house move for me. Lucky for me, Portlaoise Enterprise Centre was close by which meant that I could work fully remotely from the outset. Adapting to this was seamless with the support of the Enterprise Centre Manger, Patricia Frayne. With Patricia’s support and input from CEAI, I was able to establish a fully hybrid working arrangement which worked for my employer and for me. I reclaimed a balance between work/ life that had been missing for a long time. The benefits I have found range from gaining a sense of responsibility and independence to increased productivity and less stress and knowing that I am actively contributing to reducing the carbon footprint.”

Client
Portlaoise Enterprise Centre, Portlaoise, Co Laois