A low "business birth-rate" in the north-west has prompted State agencies on both sides of the Border to organise a new-style enterprise show to encourage potential entrepreneurs to take the plunge.
The formula for the "interactive" show, which was developed in Scotland, sees business advisers discard their suits and put on T-shirts. Instead of sitting behind desks, they take the would-be entrepreneur through a series of zones dealing with different aspects of setting up a business.
"It was found with shows in the past that people would come into a big hall, where we were sitting behind desks, and they would take tonnes of brochures home, but they may have gone away with very little information in their heads," said Ms Meabh Conaghan, of Enterprise Ireland.
The interactive formula for the show was successful in Scotland and a similar event was held in Belfast in October. The north-west show will take place in Derry in the Millennium Forum on February 23th/24th. For people on the east coast it is being held this weekend in the Institute of Technology in Dundalk.
Ms Conaghan said there was a need for more "high-potential start-ups" in the IT or international services sector, on both sides of the Border in the north-west. "The business birth-rate in the north-west is much lower than in the rest of the State - we don't know why, whether it is because we are more risk-averse than people in other areas."
The Northern Ireland small business agency, LEDU, has identified a lack of entrepreneurs in sectors with growth potential.
Ms Conaghan said there was also a need to try to target women and graduates, most of whom automatically go into employment without considering the option of starting their own business.
The Personal Enterprise Show is divided into five zones - becoming an entrepreneur, starting your business, the information centre, running the business, and, finally, what's next?
People are encouraged to complete computer-based questionnaires to assess their potential and to meet financial advisers and existing entrepreneurs. All inquiries will be followed up within two weeks. Those with businesses who are thinking of expanding are also advised to attend.
Ms Conaghan said the aim was to take the fear out of starting a business. In many cases, all that is required is "pure hard work" and there were a lot of people with drive and ambition who could be successful.
The Derry show is being jointly run by LEDU and Enterprise Northern Ireland with Enterprise Ireland and the Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim county enterprise boards. Potential and existing entrepreneurs are encouraged to attend. Admission is free.
For tickets, contact freephone 1800 227 000 in the Republic, 0808 127 0000 in Northern Ireland or www.personalenterprise.co.uk