Global Entrepreneurship Week 2024

Throughout the week

Pop Up Shops

Mid & East Antrim Borough Council are offering an opportunity for local entrepreneurs to promote and test trade their business in Ballymena, Larne and Carrickfergus town centres during Global Entrepreneurship Week for a one-week period.

Why not come along and show your support to our local traders and pick up some unique and original Christmas gifts!

For more information contact: towncentres@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Monday 18 November

Boss Baby Sessions

Explore what it takes to be a builder, beautician, vet, shopkeeper, chef and much more!

Mid & East Antrim Borough Council are teaming up with two local businesses to bring you the Boss Baby Sessions!

Be your own boss at Miniville Play in Carrickfergus and Honeybees Playtown in Ballymena.

During this special event, children are invited to explore the different roles and responsibilities of taking on tasks and being their own boss in our playrooms.

Sessions are now FULLY BOOKED.

Tuesday 19 November

Canva Series 2 - The Marketing Magic of Canva AI for Video for (paying) Canva PRO subscribers

12noon to 1.30pm (Online)

This practical lunchtime learning, designed at an intermediate/advanced level, aims to inspire and help you to start maximising the opportunities that the paid version of Canva can offer you and your business.

To register, visit Canva Series 2- The Marketing Magic of Canva AI for Video for (paying) Canva PRO on the Glistrr website.

Wednesday 20 November

Peer Support Network – Tourism Programme

Inspire: Getting to Know you & Me

Dobbins Inn, Carrickfergus,

10.30am to 12.30pm 

Tourism Peer Support Network - part of a series of three in-person meet-ups, this first session will build confidence and allow participants to get to know each other and familarise themselves with local providers in their area. 

It also aims to get them to look at themselves individually and provide inspiration and ideas for possible connections and business development opportunities.

Guest speakers will include Dobbins Hotel and Lead the Way Tours to provide an insight into the development of their Dander & Dine experience.

Note: To maximise their experience, attendees will be encouraged to attend all three events, however if this is not possible follow up will take place between sessions and on the day to ensure optimum network development.

Further sessions will be hosted throughout the Borough in January and March to complete sessions before Easter when many businesses start their busy season.

To register, visit the Tourism Network listings on the Glistrr website.

Thursday 21 November

Go Succeed – The Ultimate Pitch Final!

Innovation Factory, Belfast

The competition may be closed but stay tuned as the heats unfold across Northern Ireland, and the top entrepreneurs make their case for success.

This could be the moment that changes everything – and you won’t want to miss it!

To find out more visit the Business Events & Networking in NI page on the Go Succeed website.

Friday 22 November

Building Sustainable Futures: Strategies for Long-term Business Success

Larne Town Hall

12noon to 2pm

With a focus on the Tourism Sector, this informative workshop will equip business owners and managers with practical insights and strategies to implement sustainability within their operations.

The session will feature presentations from specialist advisors who will provide expert knowledge on maintaining business sustainability while enhancing profitability.

Attendees will also receive an exciting goody bag with useful items to help manage energy use in the business.

To register visit our Building a Sustainable Future: Strategies for Long-Term Business Success listing on Glistrr.

What’s Your Flavour?  School Competition Winner Announcement (online)

To celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week 2024, we asked P4 and P5 pupils to design a new ice-cream flavour and marketing poster to promote this fantastic new product.

The winning pupil will see their flavour developed by one of our local ice-cream manufacturers and will receive a visit by the manufacturer to their school to meet the ice-cream maker, taste their product and find out more about running an ice-cream business.

Keep an eye out on social media to see which exciting creating was deemed the winner of 2024!

Creative Careers Week Launch (online)

Keep an eye out in local press, on our social media pages and on here for more details.

Saturday 23 November

Business Ideation Bootcamp

Larne Town Hall

1pm to 4pm

Anybody can start a business!

Join a Business Ideation Bootcamp and learn how to identify, refine and validate business ideas, utilising a suite of tools and resources such as the Design Council’s Double Diamond, the FOCUS framework, REDx spot and Resource Audits. 

Attendees will also find out about the support available within Mid & East Antrim to help you progress your idea beyond the Bootcamp. 

These sessions are 'in person' only and pre-registration is essential - to book a place you must be resident within the Borough area. 

To register, visit  the Business Ideation Bootcamp - Larne on the Glistrr website.

Ballymena Business Centre – 2024 Start Up Roadshow

Midtown Makers, 51-53 Church Street, Ballymena

11am to 3pm (Drop In)

Ballymena Business Centre will be hosting the 2024 Start Up Roadshow on Saturday 23 November 2023 from 11am to 3pm, in Midtown Makers, Ballymena as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week. 

Pop in and find out how to start your own business, chat with startup entrepreneurs and tap into free expert advice from local enterprise agency business advisors and partner organisations. 

With access to over 500 ideas, finance, networking opportunities and grants, this is an event not to be missed!!

The 2024 Start Up Roadshow is Sponsored by Ballymena Business Centre and The Gallaher Trust.

Booking is essential.

To register, complete Ballymena Business Centre's online form on the JotForm website.

Events taking place 11 to 17 November 2024

Enterprising Women Winter Showcase

Tower Centre, Ballymena (outside Primark)

Saturday 2 November

9am to 3pm

Building on this year’s successful Spring Showcase in Ballygally Castle, the Enterprising Women Network will be organising a much bigger event to showcase the lovely brands, products and services of our Enterprising Women members.

Why not come along and find that special Christmas Gift!

To find out more information on Enterprising Women visit the Enterprising Women page.

Enterprising Women Coffee & Networking

Olderfleet Bar & Restaurant, Larne,

Tuesday 12 November

11.45am to 2pm

Network over a cuppa or tasty brunch in an informal and welcoming environment.

To attend you must be a member of the Enterprising Women Network. 

For more information on Enterprising Women visit the Enterprising Women page.

Creative Industries Taster Workshop

Larne Town Hall

Thursday 14 November

12noon-2pm

This engaging lunchtime event is designed to introduce participants to various career opportunities in the creative industries, including radio presenting, DJ-ing, music, storytelling, content creating and arts & crafts.

Through industry-led talks and hands-on activities, participants will gain a better understanding of the creative field, and the skills needed to pursue a career in this vibrant sector.

To register go to our Creative Industries Taster Workshop listing on Glistrr.