This Friday, September 23, is the final deadline for early-stage female entrepreneurs in rural areas of County Westmeath to apply for the latest cycle of the ACORNS business development initiative.
This is the eighth year of the Government-backed ACORNS programme, which is supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, under its Rural Innovation and Development Fund.
The call for new participants was launched last month by Charlie McConalogue T.D. Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine (picture attached with past participant Niamh Dooley of BiaSol ).
There has been a high level of interest in the call so far, which reflects the high level of enterprising women in rural Ireland. There is still time, however, for those interested to apply for ACORNS. Don’t delay, as the closing date is fast approaching!
A total of 50 new entrepreneurs will be selected from those who apply but applications have to be completed and submitted by midnight on Friday, September 23.
The ACORNS 8 programme is completely free to those selected to participate and will run over six months from October 2022 to April 2023.
More than 350 female entrepreneurs have taken part in ACORNS to date and a significant portion are still actively involved.
Combined turnover for the 48 companies who completed ACORNS 7 increased over the cycle from €1.5m in October 2021 to €3.1m by April 2022. The firms involved also increased their combined workforce over the cycle from 94 to 116 (19% ), an increase of 22 new jobs in rural Ireland.
Any woman with a new business based in rural Ireland — or an idea for a new venture they want to get off the ground — can get more information and register to receive an application form at www.acorns.ie (Eligibility criteria in notes below )
Based on a belief that entrepreneurs learn best from each other, ACORNS is centred on interactive round table sessions facilitated by successful female entrepreneurs who have started and grown businesses in rural Ireland. These are known as ACORNS Lead Entrepreneurs, and they give their time free of charge to encourage and support the new business owners.
This year’s voluntary Lead Entrepreneurs are Anne Reilly, formerly Paycheck Plus; Caroline Reidy, The HR Suite; Deirdre McGlone, Hospitality & Tourism Advisor; Eimer Hannon, Hannon Travel; Larissa Feeney, Accountant Online; Mary B Walsh, Ire Wel Pallets; Triona MacGiolla Rí, Aró Digital Strategies.
ACORNS 8 will run from October 2022 to April 2023 and will include a launch event, six roundtable sessions, an understanding the financials workshop, a briefing by the various development agencies and an end of cycle celebration.
For more information or to interview the Director, any of the Lead Entrepreneurs – or past participants – contact Martha Kearns at StoryLab on +353 87 2720212.
