A trio of Galway success stories have thrown their weight behind Back for Business, the free government programme that helps returned emigrants start and develop businesses in Ireland.

Up to 50 people will be offered places on Government-backed initiative which is now open for applications.

The programme, which is funded by the Irish Abroad Unit, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, was created to foster and support entrepreneurial activity among emigrants recently returned to Ireland or are still living abroad but thinking of returning to Ireland.

Former Galway participants Orlaith Kilgannon, Paul Herrick and Ronan Purcell are among those encouraging others to apply.

Orlaith is the Director and Specialist Physiotherapist of Pelvic Health West. Based in Oranmore, Pelvic Health West provides specialist physiotherapy and Pilates for women to prevent and manage symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction.

On the Back for Business programme, Orlaith found that the peer support from other participants who were having similar experiences was a great help to her.

“My experience in Back for Business working with a diverse range of entrepreneurs has allowed me to structure both short and long term realistic and achievable goals to scale my business,” she says.

“Surrounded by those who had also returned home in recent years and experienced similar challenges was comforting.

“Through Back for Business, I achieved my short-term goals with the development of an online booking system and an online course of Pilates in turn optimising financial security.

“Long term, I will grow my own team but my Back for Business team have inspired me to keep dreaming and believing in my vision for Pelvic Health West and women’s health in the future,” she added.

Paul Herrick had been in Madrid for more than 20 years when he decided in 2020 to move back to Ireland to grow his own venture – Arco Irish, an executive search business that enhances talent acquisition for fast-growing Irish SME businesses with international ambition.

“The mix of networking, peer group support and plenary sessions over a six-month period ensures returning entrepreneurs not only become aware of the full range resources available but that they also develop an additional support network who they can brainstorm, ideate and share challenges with,” he said.

Ronan Purcell and his wife decided to move back to Ireland in 2021 when the eldest of their three sons was ready to start school and Ronan set up Fort Energy, a specialist energy advisor and renewable energy developer.

“As an entrepreneur, you are given an opportunity to pitch, and stress test your products to a diverse, supportive and insightful group on a monthly basis which gives your start up an edge going to market,” he says.

Back for Business is now seeking offers of interest from eligible candidates hoping to return or who have already returned to Galway.

To qualify, applicants must be returned Irish emigrants who lived abroad for at least a year and have returned to Ireland in the last three years or are currently living abroad with plans to return to Ireland in the near future.

Participants on Back for Business 9 will meet once a month on a peer-supported round table, facilitated by voluntary Lead Entrepreneurs, who have experience of successfully starting and growing a business.

This is the ninth year of the programme and those eligible have until Friday, January 16, to apply through www.backforbusiness.com. The programme will begin with a Launch Forum and round table event on February 13 and will conclude in June.

Pictured: Paul Herrick of Arco Irish Human Resources, Galway, with Back for Business director Paula Fitzsimons.